tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47659413503062879902024-03-13T09:37:49.936-07:00Malaysia Liverpool Fan ClubNews collections of Liverpool activities local and international. Most of the news collected locally from Berita Harian, Harian Metro, KOSMO!, Utusan Malaysia, Bernama and some other local news.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.comBlogger662125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-57844931409400966532014-07-24T18:51:00.001-07:002014-07-24T18:51:47.724-07:00KOP News # 5208 ---> Steven Gerrard retires: England captain's 14-year international career in pictures<br> <div class="moz-forward-container"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"> <!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} @font-face {font-family:Tahoma; 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text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level4 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level5 {mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level6 {mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level7 {mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level8 {mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} @list l2:level9 {mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="62466" /> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" /> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--><b><span style="font-size:24.0pt">Steven Gerrard retires: England captain's 14-year international career in pictures <o:p></o:p></span></b> <div class="Section1"> <ul type="disc"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"> <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/by-date/21-07-2014">Jul 21, 2014 15:16</a> <o:p> </o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4"> By <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/alex-richards/">Alex Richards</a> <o:p> </o:p></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt">The Liverpool icon has decided to retire from international football following England's World Cup failure at the age of 34<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgTxSQfQB_w/U9G4NA2VSUI/AAAAAAAAMq8/sNPyr1BjgTg/s1600/bm-image-707725.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgTxSQfQB_w/U9G4NA2VSUI/AAAAAAAAMq8/sNPyr1BjgTg/s320/bm-image-707725.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811108986243394" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Exit: Steven Gerrard is leaving the international scene <o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/steven%20gerrard">England captain</a> Steven Gerrard has retired from international football.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Following <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/england%20football%20team">the Three Lions</a> elimination from the World Cup, the Liverpool skipper has <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/world-cup-2014-steven-gerrard-3728973">decided to step down and move aside</a> after 14 years as a regular for his country.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Gerrard, who made his debut under Kevin Keegan in 2000 ahead of that summer's European Championships, won 114 caps for England with the final game coming against Costa Rica.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Gerrard played through six different England bosses - beginning with Kevin Keegan and then Peter Taylor (caretaker), Sven Goran-Eriksson, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson - during which time he has bagged 21 goals.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">His first international goal came during the stunning 5-1 win over Germany in Munich in 2001. It was a result which played a major part in securing qualification for the 2002 World Cup, but Gerrard missed out on that tournament through injury.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Twice Gerrard was named England Player of the Year (2007 and 2012), while he was also named in UEFA's Team of the Torunament at the European Championships in 2012.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Here's a look at the pictures that characterise his England career:<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oS8jtSfP4cE/U9G4NqpXnTI/AAAAAAAAMrI/o9q8km3vH5g/s1600/bm-image-710250.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oS8jtSfP4cE/U9G4NqpXnTI/AAAAAAAAMrI/o9q8km3vH5g/s320/bm-image-710250.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811120206159154" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trjJg3PtkuI/U9G4OROLnhI/AAAAAAAAMrU/h_bVH6ShJik/s1600/bm-image-712846.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-trjJg3PtkuI/U9G4OROLnhI/AAAAAAAAMrU/h_bVH6ShJik/s320/bm-image-712846.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811130561109522" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CZFIWtSIKE/U9G4O0LkvtI/AAAAAAAAMrg/o2iPVYu4TS0/s1600/bm-image-715458.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CZFIWtSIKE/U9G4O0LkvtI/AAAAAAAAMrg/o2iPVYu4TS0/s320/bm-image-715458.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811139945414354" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSpBJJErmvo/U9G4PuFWOWI/AAAAAAAAMrs/KM3-BFLKvPc/s1600/bm-image-718026.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSpBJJErmvo/U9G4PuFWOWI/AAAAAAAAMrs/KM3-BFLKvPc/s320/bm-image-718026.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811155488553314" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gf8aXHoqCI/U9G4QSGhTtI/AAAAAAAAMr4/_6D6yqM_69I/s1600/bm-image-720832.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gf8aXHoqCI/U9G4QSGhTtI/AAAAAAAAMr4/_6D6yqM_69I/s320/bm-image-720832.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811165157150418" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QF_p3FKKnE0/U9G4QybAziI/AAAAAAAAMsE/kGdgrN-Gyys/s1600/bm-image-723297.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QF_p3FKKnE0/U9G4QybAziI/AAAAAAAAMsE/kGdgrN-Gyys/s320/bm-image-723297.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811173833035298" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikqCpPx0WRs/U9G4RjMpTVI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/GFAkI0ka9wc/s1600/bm-image-725738.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ikqCpPx0WRs/U9G4RjMpTVI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/GFAkI0ka9wc/s320/bm-image-725738.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811186926112082" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4yVsGNynW8/U9G4SY6PPqI/AAAAAAAAMsc/2spp1mpCEqQ/s1600/bm-image-728705.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i4yVsGNynW8/U9G4SY6PPqI/AAAAAAAAMsc/2spp1mpCEqQ/s320/bm-image-728705.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811201344421538" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ce6I7SZQz8/U9G4SztTu5I/AAAAAAAAMso/jg3nfTYRKgo/s1600/bm-image-731016.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ce6I7SZQz8/U9G4SztTu5I/AAAAAAAAMso/jg3nfTYRKgo/s320/bm-image-731016.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811208537947026" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VotCxSKoclY/U9G4TgcyUyI/AAAAAAAAMs0/M4ijJPurlqw/s1600/bm-image-733751.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VotCxSKoclY/U9G4TgcyUyI/AAAAAAAAMs0/M4ijJPurlqw/s320/bm-image-733751.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811220548244258" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq5dxlbPBds/U9G4UFqwFjI/AAAAAAAAMtA/aO0XHxQ_auY/s1600/bm-image-736453.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tq5dxlbPBds/U9G4UFqwFjI/AAAAAAAAMtA/aO0XHxQ_auY/s320/bm-image-736453.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811230538929714" /></a> <a 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href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCdd1E-TTWo/U9G4XbLxJFI/AAAAAAAAMt8/5rg0Xi81duQ/s1600/bm-image-749310.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCdd1E-TTWo/U9G4XbLxJFI/AAAAAAAAMt8/5rg0Xi81duQ/s320/bm-image-749310.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039811287854163026" /></a></span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span><br> </p> </div> </div> <br> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-68044784194665981212014-07-24T18:38:00.001-07:002014-07-24T18:38:56.275-07:00KOP News # 5260 ---> Liverpool Pre-Season Focus: Brendan Rodgers' Tactics, Martin Kelly and Joe Allen<br> <div class="moz-forward-container"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta name="Generator" 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{mso-style-name:slide-control-numbers;} span.current-slide {mso-style-name:current-slide;} span.number {mso-style-name:number;} span.slide-hints {mso-style-name:slide-hints;} span.spellcheck {mso-style-name:spellcheck;} span.EmailStyle68 {mso-style-type:personal-reply; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; color:#1F497D;} span.storytop {mso-style-name:storytop;} span.tagged {mso-style-name:tagged;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="81922" /> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" /> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <div class="Section1"><b><span style="font-size:24.0pt">Liverpool Pre-Season Focus: Brendan Rodgers' Tactics, Martin Kelly and Joe Allen<o:p></o:p></span></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>By <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/1585-karl-matchett" title="Karl Matchett"> Karl Matchett </a>, World Football Staff Writer <o:p></o:p></i></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>Jul 23, 2014 <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhuZrgiFX6M/U9G1MCJfGpI/AAAAAAAAMnk/9moNsEq-H5Q/s1600/bm-image-736276.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhuZrgiFX6M/U9G1MCJfGpI/AAAAAAAAMnk/9moNsEq-H5Q/s320/bm-image-736276.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039807793620261522" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Uncredited/Associated Press <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> continued their pre-season preparations with a late 1-0 defeat to Serie A runners-up <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://bleacherreport.com/as-roma">AS Roma</a> at Fenway Park in Boston. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The Reds' third game of the summer was 0-0 at the break, with few chances created throughout the 90 minutes, until Daniel Agger diverted a corner past his own keeper in the last minute of the match.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Continuing in our series of monitoring the tactics of manager Brendan Rodgers for the season ahead and the performances of a pair of players each match, this time around we're looking at full-back Martin Kelly and midfielder Joe Allen, both of whom played more than an hour of the game.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>Tactics</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Rodgers went with a 4-3-3 again from the outset against Roma, marking two pre-season games started with that system and one with the diamond.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">As in the first two games, the Reds' plans were once again marred by an early injury, this time coming to Fabio Borini, who went off with a shoulder problem after a heavy fall.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The ensuing change saw Philippe Coutinho move from his central role to a wider position in the front line, with Jordon Ibe on the opposite side and <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://bleacherreport.com/rickie-lambert">Rickie Lambert</a> central. Lucas Leiva once more anchored the midfield, with Allen and, after Coutinho moved forward, Emre Can ahead of him.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMeVdL8Tyeo/U9G1M7yub-I/AAAAAAAAMnw/wIewoumoc7g/s1600/bm-image-739374.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMeVdL8Tyeo/U9G1M7yub-I/AAAAAAAAMnw/wIewoumoc7g/s320/bm-image-739374.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039807809094053858" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Uncredited/Associated Press <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Seb Coates was a returning name to the team-sheet in the centre of defence, as was Jose Enrique on the left. Later in the game, Kris Peterson made another appearance at centre-forward and midfielders Suso and Jordan Henderson made late cameos. Jack Robinson was largely impressive at left-back in the second 45 minutes.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The Reds dominated possession in the first half without creating too many chances; Coutinho's change of pace and willingness to take on his man was a key factor in their approach play once again. But Lambert was far too isolated centrally for any real chances to be created.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzpFIBHVnrw/U9G1NkBTHhI/AAAAAAAAMn8/et7qGUNQnDk/s1600/bm-image-742437.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzpFIBHVnrw/U9G1NkBTHhI/AAAAAAAAMn8/et7qGUNQnDk/s320/bm-image-742437.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039807819892596242" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Michael Regan/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">After the break it was more a case of hit on the break when the opportunity presented itself, with Can's superb driving runs forward an important and pleasing aspect of the Premier League side's play.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">As with the first 45, though, there were very few chances created at either end, and it took a scruffy own goal to settle it.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>Martin Kelly</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Kelly continued working his way toward full-match witness with a 67-minute appearance against Roma.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsQtuzyMBmc/U9G1Ovf4VgI/AAAAAAAAMoI/n3o1TnUTRJ4/s1600/bm-image-746313.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UsQtuzyMBmc/U9G1Ovf4VgI/AAAAAAAAMoI/n3o1TnUTRJ4/s320/bm-image-746313.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039807840153523714" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Clive Brunskill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Playing at right-back once more, he faced a familiar test in the shape of Ashley Cole from Roma's left side, with Adem Ljajic also a pacy opponent.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">All told, Kelly dealt well with the threat for most of the first hour, closing down well and showing a good turn of pace more than once to cover balls played in behind. He looked strong on the ball, held off challengers well and passed out of the back line composedly.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Only twice did Kelly really put his foot on the gas to surge forward down the right flank, with one low cross in particular an impressive dribble and delivery, from which Lambert was unable to produce a telling finish.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Before going off, Kelly was visibly weary and left the pitch to be replaced by Conor Coady. Presumably, the tiredness comes from the pre-season fitness work, and it's something he needs to get spot on very soon.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">This campaign is a vital one for Kelly's future at Liverpool, and he cannot afford for lack of fitness to be a reason for non-selection at any point, especially at the start of the season.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>Joe Allen</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">With the number of arrivals capable of playing in midfield positions set to increase competition for 2014-15, Allen is one of the stars of the second half of last season who needs to continue to up his game to keep a place in the side.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Against Roma he was initially left of centre, then right of centre after Borini's substitution.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c95h7-8PXA/U9G1PW6RMGI/AAAAAAAAMoU/mkbMPQps5aY/s1600/bm-image-748937.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6c95h7-8PXA/U9G1PW6RMGI/AAAAAAAAMoU/mkbMPQps5aY/s320/bm-image-748937.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039807850733187170" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Michael Regan/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">He was seen several times pressing extremely high up the field, almost to a right-wing position, a positive sign of both fitness and team intent; the pressing and subsequent quick transitions were a key feature of Liverpool's best play last season.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">When Allen is on his game, he's a big part of that particular tactic, possessing both the technique and mentality required to do both sides of the press, pass approach.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">A number of times there were quick exchanges of passes in the final third as Liverpool looked to get some positive build-up play going. Invariably, Allen was involved in this along with Coutinho and Can.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">There was little end product to the Reds' play, and Allen was a part of that side of things too. But in terms of his running and positioning on the pitch, it wasn't bad at all for a third pre-season game from the Welshman.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </div> <br> </div> <br> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-14558008507147602772014-07-24T18:31:00.000-07:002014-07-24T18:33:34.819-07:00KOP News # 5258 ---> Liverpool FC 0 AS Roma 1: what we learned from the Reds' last-gasp Fenway defeat<div class="moz-forward-container"><br> <br> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"> <!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; 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mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"> <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/by-date/24-07-2014">Jul 24, 2014 08:00</a> <o:p></o:p></li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"> By <a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/authors/kristian-walsh/">Kristian Walsh</a> <o:p></o:p></li> </ul> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt">The four main talking points from Liverpool's late defeat to the Serie A side <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoEEPSYG9wA/U9Gz70iivcI/AAAAAAAAMk8/j3QbtVq8B_k/s1600/bm-image-714820.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BoEEPSYG9wA/U9Gz70iivcI/AAAAAAAAMk8/j3QbtVq8B_k/s320/bm-image-714820.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806415577726402" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Emre Can in action. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Forgotten man could give a reminder on tour <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">When Kenny Dalglish took charge of his first game back as Liverpool manager, Martin Kelly was a surprise starter at Old Trafford.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">His performance caught the eye more than anybody else's on the pitch; strong, useful on the ball and with the added narrative of a local lad done good, he was a prominent figure in the team who did so well under Dalglish towards the end of 2010/11. He would even be a part of England's Euro 2012 squad. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">A lot has changed at the club since then - including Kelly's role at Anfield. Sidelined with injury throughout the majority of Rodgers' time at the club, he has made just nine league appearances under the Northern Irishman. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">But speaking to the ECHO's James Pearce on Monday, the 24 year old told of his desire to bounce back from his injury woes. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">This was a decent start. The forgotten man of the Reds' squad gave a little reminder of what he is capable of. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">He was solid in defence and joined the attack at times. It was not the complete performance - and never forget this was a friendly - but in a side with questions in defence, the answer could have been on the treatment table the whole time, especially with so many games to be played this season. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b>GALLERY: Liverpool 0 Roma 1 at Fenway Park</b><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S8QuD36h4k/U9Gz812qN-I/AAAAAAAAMlI/NDY52_wmpHk/s1600/bm-image-718272.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0S8QuD36h4k/U9Gz812qN-I/AAAAAAAAMlI/NDY52_wmpHk/s320/bm-image-718272.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806433110407138" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BqB-f4Nb5I/U9Gz9W1bOEI/AAAAAAAAMlU/vWl6PVGQo5U/s1600/bm-image-721196.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BqB-f4Nb5I/U9Gz9W1bOEI/AAAAAAAAMlU/vWl6PVGQo5U/s320/bm-image-721196.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806441963599938" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwuifDXFsO4/U9Gz-K8cerI/AAAAAAAAMlc/eauHM7XRsLI/s1600/bm-image-724001.jpeg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwuifDXFsO4/U9Gz-K8cerI/AAAAAAAAMlc/eauHM7XRsLI/s320/bm-image-724001.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806455951686322" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_EANATawu30/U9Gz-6dsStI/AAAAAAAAMls/-aAFC1oguqo/s1600/bm-image-727356.jpeg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_EANATawu30/U9Gz-6dsStI/AAAAAAAAMls/-aAFC1oguqo/s320/bm-image-727356.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806468707601106" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCW58Plx4Is/U9Gz_-lXk5I/AAAAAAAAMl4/8arpIvo74Ow/s1600/bm-image-731017.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hCW58Plx4Is/U9Gz_-lXk5I/AAAAAAAAMl4/8arpIvo74Ow/s320/bm-image-731017.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806486993408914" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGcF6LgQJ34/U9G0AgIQh4I/AAAAAAAAMmE/dHeZoUqpClI/s1600/bm-image-734422.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGcF6LgQJ34/U9G0AgIQh4I/AAAAAAAAMmE/dHeZoUqpClI/s320/bm-image-734422.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806495998117762" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2Xt1VQ3LOE/U9G0B2c7QNI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/j1NhIaEctCU/s1600/bm-image-738531.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2Xt1VQ3LOE/U9G0B2c7QNI/AAAAAAAAMmQ/j1NhIaEctCU/s320/bm-image-738531.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806519170253010" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhJdyuQIrWM/U9G0DMMWSDI/AAAAAAAAMmY/Ea2NWzj_3So/s1600/bm-image-743860.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhJdyuQIrWM/U9G0DMMWSDI/AAAAAAAAMmY/Ea2NWzj_3So/s320/bm-image-743860.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806542186170418" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39N_k8xzTsE/U9G0D6aGrFI/AAAAAAAAMmk/FXHrjxM9WHM/s1600/bm-image-746712.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-39N_k8xzTsE/U9G0D6aGrFI/AAAAAAAAMmk/FXHrjxM9WHM/s320/bm-image-746712.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806554591898706" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VETht8tMIs8/U9G0EvG_WfI/AAAAAAAAMmw/2wp--09xn5o/s1600/bm-image-750212.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VETht8tMIs8/U9G0EvG_WfI/AAAAAAAAMmw/2wp--09xn5o/s320/bm-image-750212.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806568738806258" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXlpzdxgDPI/U9G0FY58hdI/AAAAAAAAMm8/0Ze8a3NohOY/s1600/bm-image-753096.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXlpzdxgDPI/U9G0FY58hdI/AAAAAAAAMm8/0Ze8a3NohOY/s320/bm-image-753096.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806579958384082" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2L2QZVC9j-I/U9G0GIJWklI/AAAAAAAAMnI/ixFnHuoOH4o/s1600/bm-image-756378.jpeg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2L2QZVC9j-I/U9G0GIJWklI/AAAAAAAAMnI/ixFnHuoOH4o/s320/bm-image-756378.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806592639472210" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i7SNCZ0YyE/U9G0HMudR6I/AAAAAAAAMnY/IS8GvERt_Zw/s1600/bm-image-759507.jpeg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3i7SNCZ0YyE/U9G0HMudR6I/AAAAAAAAMnY/IS8GvERt_Zw/s320/bm-image-759507.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6039806611048712098" /></a><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Emre Can will grab attention <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Emre Can is an imposing sort. When he strode on to the Fenway Park pitch, there was a buzz from the Liverpool supporters.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Perhaps it is because, of the four players signed by Rodgers this summer so far, only Can and Rickie Lambert have made their debuts for the Reds - and the hunger for anything fresh sees Can, formerly of Leverkusen, offer something new rather than Southampton's Lambert.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Nobody knew much about the Under-21 international before the summer but already his qualities would be apparent, if not necessarily how much he will show them. He is strong, powerful and has a fleet-footedness about him which belies his six foot two frame.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">He would also appear to have aggression. His running battle with Radja Nainggolan - who is no slouch himself - was fascinating. The Belgian left his mark on Can but he didn't hide; his run in the second half also gave a glimpse into his attacking ability.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Can commands attention. He's certainly got it at Liverpool already.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Fabio Borini's inclusion could have been costly <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The wince on Fabio Borini's face was no doubt matched by those who feel Sunderland's £14m offer for the Italian striker is more than sufficient. He fell under the challenge of Seydou Keita, held his shoulder, and eventually disappeared down the tunnel.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">And with it, a potential transfer away from Anfield could have disappeared with him.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">His future on Merseyside remains uncertain. Rodgers maintains that he remains a Livepool player and part of the squad until he makes a decision about a move to Wearside.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">But all of that could have been thrown in jeopardy with Borini's injury.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Rodgers revealed after the match that the shoulder had just been bruised and, while a few days of training would be missed, it was not as bad as first feared.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The question on where Borini begins next season remains. But this injury scare was a reminder of how fate can sometimes answer those questions for you – and that is something to contemplate during the next two weeks.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt">Ibe looks better on the left <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Jordon Ibe is one of the players the supporters in the United States have been looking forward to watching the most. He is exciting, progressive and has bags of both ability and potential.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">He had begun well on the left hand side of the front three. He stretched his legs a few times and had the Roma defence panicking, and was the first Reds player to really drive at the defence – a nod to the confidence he has.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">Borini's injury changed his role. On came Can, who moved into a central position; this moved the majestic Philippe Coutinho out wide, and he occupied the left hand side, cutting inside. This left the 18 year old stationed on the right.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">At this young age, his strength is most certainly coming on to his stronger foot. When on the right, all his threat evaporated. The power generated from his upper body and deft touch was wasted when on the right hand side.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">The comparisons with Raheem Sterling can sometimes be too simplistic. Chalk this one as another example of that. The two are different players and will flourish in different positions.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> </div> <br> </div> <br> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-30616280882359753862012-10-31T01:58:00.000-07:002012-10-31T02:03:06.217-07:00KOP News # 1796<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Jamaica make play for Sterling as England risk losing Liverpool starlet<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Sami+Mokbel">Sami Mokbel</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>PUBLISHED:</b> 22:30 GMT, 30 October 2012 | <b>UPDATED:</b> 22:30 GMT, 30 October 2012 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>England are facing a fresh fight to secure the international future of hot prospect Raheem Sterling.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Jamaica president Horace Burrell will fly in to the country this week in a bid to snatch the Liverpool youngster from under the Football Association's noses.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>And <i>Sportsmail</i> understands the youngster is keen on holding talks with Burrell and is open to the idea of representing the country of his birth.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xR5VAtZ8zoc/UJDpShzjeOI/AAAAAAAALpQ/Jd0Jf3vXD6s/s1600/image001-786217.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xR5VAtZ8zoc/UJDpShzjeOI/AAAAAAAALpQ/Jd0Jf3vXD6s/s320/image001-786217.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396424202090722" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Tug of war: Raheem Sterling (right) is wanted by England and Jamaica<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>The FA appeared to have beaten the Reggae Boys to Sterling after calling the teenager up to the full England squad for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine before being named in Stuart Pearce's previous Under 21 squad.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>But England will now be sweating on how this week's discussions between Sterling and Burrell pan out, with the Liverpool starlet happy to give Burrell the chance to make his pitch.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Sterling's mother is known to want her son to represent Jamaica - where the 17-year-old lived until the age of five.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yb_v48u9S80/UJDpTLqI8iI/AAAAAAAALpc/_QEQM-YpOzs/s1600/image003-788358.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yb_v48u9S80/UJDpTLqI8iI/AAAAAAAALpc/_QEQM-YpOzs/s320/image003-788358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396435436892706" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Hopes: Roy Hodgson (right) wants Sterling to represent England<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>England manager Roy Hodgson could look to appease Sterling's international ambition by naming the youngster in his squad for the friendly against Sweden next month.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Burrell said: 'Based on the FIFA rules Raheem is still eligible for us. We think it is worthwhile to speak.' </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Sterling will only be fully committed to a nation when he plays a competitive fixture.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-44176123825037638912012-10-31T01:57:00.000-07:002012-10-31T02:02:29.921-07:00KOP News # 1795<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Joe Cole set for starting role as Brendan Rodgers prepares to face former club<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>• Joe Cole in line for first Liverpool start in three months<br>• 'I had two incredible years at Swansea,' says Rodgers<o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/paulwilson">Paul Wilson</a> <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian">The Guardian</a>, Tuesday 30 October 2012 22.30 GMT <o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjteOGDH_Uc/UJDpJt81rWI/AAAAAAAALpE/-ffU1zNHulk/s1600/image002-749922.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CjteOGDH_Uc/UJDpJt81rWI/AAAAAAAALpE/-ffU1zNHulk/s320/image002-749922.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396272843435362" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Liverpool's manager Brendan Rodgers had two happy seasons at Swansea but sees the Reds as a 'real destination' for him. Photograph: Matt West/BPI/Corbis<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/joe-cole" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Joe Cole">Joe Cole</a> is expected to make his first proper start of the season for <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/liverpool" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Liverpool">Liverpool</a> in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/capital-one-cup" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Capital One Cup">Capital One Cup</a> game against Swansea, with <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/brendan-rodgers" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Brendan Rodgers">Brendan Rodgers</a> also likely to give Samed Yesil his chance to lead the attack with Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard allowed a rest.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Cole has only started for Liverpool once this season, in a Europa League game at the start of August, but his manager was quick to quash speculation that his lack of games might lead him to regret not returning to France, where he had a successful season long loan with Lille in 2011-12.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"You don't walk away from Liverpool," Rodgers said. "Maybe nine out of 10 clubs you could walk away from, if you had the prospect of Champions League football somewhere else, but you are not going to do that here. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Cole returned to Merseyside when Rodgers indicated he would like to have him in his squad, only to last 23 minutes against FC Gomel, his first Liverpool start for over a year, before a hamstring injury. "It's been difficult for him because he worked hard in the pre-season and then got injured, and other players have come in and done well," Rodgers said. "I'm not going to throw them on to the garbage because a more senior player is available again. This is an opportunity for Joe to come in and prove himself … he's working very hard and he's very keen to be a success at Liverpool, no complaints there. Joe isn't the type of player who would want to be picked on what he has done before, he knows it the form of players at present that's important. He wants to show he has a future here, and just needs games to show what he can do."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Rodgers, left, was making a similarly difficult decision in the summer, weighing up the chance to manage Liverpool against the success and the friends he had won with Swansea. "Joining Liverpool should have been a no-brainer, but I had had my fingers burnt before," he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"I left Watford, a club where I was really happy and the team was progressing really well, and I went to Reading and didn't have the best experience. I knew I had to go to the right club, and Swansea turned out to be a perfect fit. There are probably a lot of clubs in this country that I couldn't go and work for, because of the way I work. It's not the norm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"I had two incredible years at Swansea, the players were brilliant, very receptive to my ideas, and we had success. I built up a close relationship with the supporters and my family was happy and settled. I knew I was in a good place and I wasn't in a particular hurry to leave. So Liverpool represented a bit of a dilemma. It was tough to say goodbye to people who had helped me personally, giving me a lot of support when my parents died, for instance, so there was an emotional attachment as well. But the professional challenge was too great in the end. With Liverpool I felt I was walking into a club that could be a real destination for me for many years to come."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Rodgers is hoping the same can be said of Suárez, who might well have felt aggrieved at Everton putting his perceived lack of sportsmanship under the spotlight ahead of the Merseyside derby, but found a response that most people enjoyed. He is clearly not a sulker. Controversy will probably continue to follow the Uruguayan around, but Rodgers cannot see him being hounded out of English football. "I speak with Luis regularly and he loves playing English football," Rodgers said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"He loves the passion and the excitement, as I think you can see. He's mentally very strong and if people give him stick it's a driver for him, it motivates him. He loves the city, he loves the club and I can't see any chance of him being driven away. He is our only fit striker but he's been tireless. His enthusiasm is outstanding. I think he's a breath of fresh air."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-70782810739584292052012-10-31T01:56:00.000-07:002012-10-31T02:01:58.961-07:00KOP News # 1794 ---> Liverpool vs Swansea : Preview & Prediction (Capitol One Cup Rd 4)<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool vs. Swansea: Brendan Rodgers Set to Face His Old Team in League Cup<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/1585-karl-matchett" target="_parent">Karl Matchett</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 30, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlqvwFX95pI/UJDpB6tWhzI/AAAAAAAALog/BKILKkJ90XQ/s1600/image001-718962.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IlqvwFX95pI/UJDpB6tWhzI/AAAAAAAALog/BKILKkJ90XQ/s320/image001-718962.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396138829186866" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Clive Brunskill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>After 17 competitive fixtures in charge of his new team <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a>, manager Brendan Rodgers faces up to the club he left in the summer for the first time. as Liverpool host <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/swansea-city">Swansea City</a> in the League Cup fourth round at Anfield.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Coming after a typically fast-paced Merseyside derby and just a few days before the Reds receive <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/newcastle-united">Newcastle United</a> in the Premier League, some changes in playing personnel are likely for Liverpool but both manager and fans alike will expect the game to be one the home side can win, regardless of the starting XI.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Liverpool have not just a game to win on this occasion, but also a trophy to defend; the Reds are the current League Cup holders following their Wembley triumph last season and, as holders, will be a big target for every team to beat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Several factors could come into play for both teams to see what the outcome of the match will be. Liverpool will start as favourites as the home side, but Swansea are not to be lightly dismissed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Rodgers and Swansea</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The now-Liverpool boss spent two seasons in Wales as manager of the Swans, leading them to immediate promotion to the Premier League.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Last season as the first non-English side in the Premiership, Swansea finished in 11th place and plenty of neutrals enjoyed their brand of attacking and possession-based football, a trait of the manager that ultimately saw him identified as the man Liverpool wanted to take them forward.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q18ii5OD9f4/UJDpCYZZbiI/AAAAAAAALos/sWpeICwWGLM/s1600/image003-720776.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q18ii5OD9f4/UJDpCYZZbiI/AAAAAAAALos/sWpeICwWGLM/s320/image003-720776.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396146798554658" /></a>Michael Steele/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Swansea also lost midfielder Joe Allen to the Reds and wide forward Scott Sinclair to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-city">Manchester City</a>; much of the final third of the pitch this season is unrecognisable from the team which did so well a year ago.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Michu, Ki Sung-Yueng and Pablo Hernandez now grace the field in a largely new-look front-six for the Swans, with Danny Graham and Leon Britton also not playing as pivotal a role as they did last season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Though Michael Laudrup was brought in to continue rather than re-vamp the work of Rodgers, it is unquestionably a Swansea side with something of a new identity this year—and so is Liverpool, the team now almost unrecognisable to the one the Welsh side prevented from scoring in two games last season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Liverpool's team</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The last midweek fixture saw Liverpool take advantage of having consecutive home matches, and the same sequence is applicable here; following the home tie against Swansea, Liverpool are also at home to Newcastle next weekend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>As a result, Brendan Rodgers may select a stronger League Cup squad than normal, though he is also almost certain to allow a few fringe players more game time after leaving the likes of Sebastian Coates and Jordan Henderson on the sidelines last week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Both players appeared as substitutes in the Merseyside derby.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUBf-M2dF_Y/UJDpCym-mSI/AAAAAAAALo4/IEQQv6uPmEk/s1600/image004-722590.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUBf-M2dF_Y/UJDpCym-mSI/AAAAAAAALo4/IEQQv6uPmEk/s320/image004-722590.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5805396153834838306" /></a>Shaun Botterill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Pepe Reina faces a battle to win back his place in goal after Brad Jones performed largely impressively in his run of three games, so Rodgers has a decision to make—does Jones, who played in the third round and who would be the expected League Cup goalkeeper, play a fourth match in a row? Or does Reina get a chance to show better form than prior to his injury, and a chance to win back his place ahead of the next league fixture?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>With Luis Suarez as the only fit forward, and by far Liverpool's biggest goalscoring threat of the season, Rodgers must also carefully decide if he is fit enough to play a fourth game in 11 days, since playing at altitude in La Paz, Bolivia, and still have enough left in the tank to play a prominent role against Newcastle afterwards.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Liverpool and the League Cup</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>League Cup, Capital One Cup, call it what you want—Liverpool are the reigning holders of the trophy, which they won for a record eighth time last season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Silverware wasn't enough to save Kenny Dalglish's job last year, but it remains the staple on which success is ultimately judged over time and Rodgers will want to get his first trophy up in the cabinet as soon as he can.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Should the Reds triumph over Swansea, they will already be through to the last eight of a competition that they will feel they have a good chance of retaining.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/arsenal">Arsenal</a>, Tottenham, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a> are all still in the competition and provide big opposition to any trophy, but those latter two play each other and both London sides are facing away fixtures against Premier League opponents.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The route to silverware could well be open from the quarterfinals onwards, making victory in this game important for the future as well as the present.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Possible lineups</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Liverpool </b>should be able to field a relatively strong lineup even if two or three big names are rested. The emergence of some talented youngsters leaves a few seniors needing game time, and Rodgers should be able to find room on the bench for maybe another starlet to be in line for a taste of first-team action.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>4-2-1-3: Reina; Johnson, Coates, Carragher, Robinson; Henderson, Sahin; Shelvey; Downing, Yesil, Assaidi.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Who will emerge triumphant in this League Cup fixture?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:Symbol'>·</span> Liverpool<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>94.6%<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:Symbol'>·</span> Swansea City<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>5.4%<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Total votes: 223 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Swansea </b>will prioritise the home league weekend game against Chelsea, but that doesn't mean Laudrup will change his entire XI. It is already certain, though, that backup goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel will get a chance, after Michel Vorm injured himself at the weekend. Angel Rangel is also suspended.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>4-2-3-1: Tremmel; Tate, Williams, Chico, Davies; Ki, Agustien; Dyer, Michu, Routledge; Graham.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Scoreline prediction</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b> </b>Liverpool should have enough at home to keep their unbeaten run going and progress into the quarterfinals—stopping Swansea doing so for the first time in their history in the process.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>A 2-0 Liverpool victory for Brendan Rodgers against his old side.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-63341838913700293752012-10-28T18:33:00.001-07:002012-10-28T18:40:42.727-07:00KOP News # 1778 ---> Who Are Anzhi Makhachkala..?<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>They're Russian, they're rich and they're in a hurry... the Anzhi explosion<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Ashley+Gray">Ashley Gray</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>PUBLISHED:</b> 21:37 GMT, 24 October 2012 | <b>UPDATED:</b> 23:21 GMT, 24 October 2012 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>When Anzhi Makhachkala faced Rangers in their UEFA Cup debut 11 years ago, one observer thought Russian boasts of a £68,000-a-man win bonus were a little far-fetched.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'One suspects that £68,000 would be more than enough to buy the whole club,' quipped a Scottish football writer. How times have changed. That amount is now barely enough to get Anzhi captain Samuel Eto'o to tie his bootlaces.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>A spirited 1-0 defeat by the then Scottish giants was the last we heard of Anzhi — until Suleyman Kerimov invested his billions. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yCCG_cN3hw/UI3emxQrzbI/AAAAAAAALh0/ehs9AwzKGV0/s1600/image001-742728.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yCCG_cN3hw/UI3emxQrzbI/AAAAAAAALh0/ehs9AwzKGV0/s320/image001-742728.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540252390149554" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Big names: Guus Hiddink and Roberto Carlos have been enticed to Anzhi as manager and technical director respectively<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJZci9Hphg8/UI3enSRQJ4I/AAAAAAAALiA/4FL6EbwYwag/s1600/image002-745273.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VJZci9Hphg8/UI3enSRQJ4I/AAAAAAAALiA/4FL6EbwYwag/s320/image002-745273.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540261250901890" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Plenty to cheer: The Anzhi fans will soon have a 40,000 stadium in which to watch their side<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>An acquaintance of Fabio Capello, the 46-year-old financier eyed Roma before the authorities in Dagestan, a Russian republic by the Caspian Sea, convinced him to buy the club in his own back yard just under two years ago. Politics and football are intertwined in the Russian regions and Anzhi are a tool to promote a northern Caucasus republic which has a deadly mix of ethnic and religious diversity.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Anzhi, who play Liverpool in the Europa League tonight, are hated by many in the rest of Russia — particularly in Moscow — partly for being the wealthy new kids on the block and partly because of a dislike for the area.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqPhZdlkAfU/UI3en0rAMUI/AAAAAAAALiM/cBt0RdsbPZM/s1600/image003-747711.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QqPhZdlkAfU/UI3en0rAMUI/AAAAAAAALiM/cBt0RdsbPZM/s320/image003-747711.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540270485713218" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Money man: Oligarch Suleyman Kerimov is bankrolling Anzhi's bid to conquer Russia and Europe<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ngb3eLtp9E/UI3eo-Kpy7I/AAAAAAAALiY/Vo5cn8xSdCc/s1600/image004-750647.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ngb3eLtp9E/UI3eo-Kpy7I/AAAAAAAALiY/Vo5cn8xSdCc/s320/image004-750647.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540290214251442" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Yury Zhirkov saw the strength of feeling when he played for Russia against Serbia in a friendly soon after he joined Anzhi from Chelsea last year. Far from a returning hero, he was roundly booed by the Moscow crowd, called a 'whore', and apparently later broke down in tears in the dressing room.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>But once he bought the club, Kerimov did not hang around. Inside a month the football world learned of Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, when Roberto Carlos, then 37, turned up on a whopping £65,000 a week. The move was little more than PR, the Brazilian World Cup winner having since retired and moved into an ambassadorial position, following an unsuccessful spell as a coach.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sEpbL8KCRw/UI3epnD69jI/AAAAAAAALik/Voco9zIzY6Y/s1600/image005-754219.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0sEpbL8KCRw/UI3epnD69jI/AAAAAAAALik/Voco9zIzY6Y/s320/image005-754219.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540301191870002" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Destination Dagestan: Samuel Eto'o signed for Anzhi from Inter Milan and reportedly earns £250,000 a week at the Russian club<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkszzTVK6ao/UI3eqD_Xw6I/AAAAAAAALiw/Eo0lhEvpEpQ/s1600/image006-756791.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jkszzTVK6ao/UI3eqD_Xw6I/AAAAAAAALiw/Eo0lhEvpEpQ/s320/image006-756791.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540308957414306" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Pointing the way forward: Eto'o has nine goals in 13 outings so far this season<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6LCwAyN3h8/UI3erFNtxEI/AAAAAAAALi8/Yxat_UTiavQ/s1600/image007-760571.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6LCwAyN3h8/UI3erFNtxEI/AAAAAAAALi8/Yxat_UTiavQ/s320/image007-760571.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540326465881154" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Solid as a rock: Christopher Samba joined Anzhi from Blackburn for £12.3m last season<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wE_5Wv3IsI/UI3esGLNePI/AAAAAAAALjI/uXAC6vI1nik/s1600/image008-764182.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_wE_5Wv3IsI/UI3esGLNePI/AAAAAAAALjI/uXAC6vI1nik/s320/image008-764182.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540343903680754" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>More than £100million has been spent on talent, with the £18.5m arrival of Eto'o from Inter Milan 14 months ago the real breakthrough.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>This summer they signed two players with plenty of offers from the Barclays Premier League. Former Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra joined from Real Madrid for around £4.5m, and Ivory Coast striker Lacina Traore came in for £14.5m. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Traore, 6ft 8in, is built for the English game and was a target for Brendan Rodgers while he was at Swansea — the Liverpool boss also considered a bid this summer. A mooted £6m deal with another Russian club, Kuban Krasnodar, was blown out of the water.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>No-one ever says they are joining a club for the money, only for the 'exciting project', which is why Chris Samba left Blackburn for £100,000 a week to go to Russia's poorest and most volatile region.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink joined last winter, tightened up the defence and secured fifth in the Russian Premier League to ensure a Europa League place. Now they are top of the table and seemingly heading for next season's Champions League. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGt1xYlGLgA/UI3etBEy-JI/AAAAAAAALjU/hw7-DO5ykZo/s1600/image009-768041.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGt1xYlGLgA/UI3etBEy-JI/AAAAAAAALjU/hw7-DO5ykZo/s320/image009-768041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540359714470034" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Chelsea connection: Yuri Zhirkov has linked up with former boss Hiddink at Anzhi<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Investment has been matched off the pitch. An academy is planned, and two stadiums are being built to replace their 15,000-capacity temporary home. Eventually they want a swish 40,000-plus arena, if UEFA ever let them play a home game in the lawless region — they play Europa League home games at Lokomotiv Moscow's stadium.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>How this fits in with Financial Fair Play rules is anyone's guess. You can watch Anzhi play for £2, with the best seats setting you back a tenner. Russian Premier League TV deals bring in paltry amounts of cash.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-affZw9rUPZs/UI3etq60kPI/AAAAAAAALjg/OE3GnKQxUYM/s1600/image010-770547.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-affZw9rUPZs/UI3etq60kPI/AAAAAAAALjg/OE3GnKQxUYM/s320/image010-770547.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804540370946920690" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Bright future: Hiddink and Carlos are determined to take points from Liverpool to maintain their good start to the season<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>But money isn't everything. Liverpool have not won the league title in the 21 years that Anzhi have existed, although a trip to Anfield is still a special thing.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Hiddink said: 'I've been to Anfield. The atmosphere is awesome. It will be a landmark game for us. It is great that Anzhi has achieved such progress in their short history.'</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>On the pitch, he has a midfield crisis. Diarra is injured, while key players Odil Ahmedov and Jucilei are also likely to miss the game.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black'><br>Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2222704/Who-Anzhi-Makhachkala--team-facing-Liverpool.html#ixzz2AGcXSN80"><span style='color:#003399'>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2222704/Who-Anzhi-Makhachkala--team-facing-Liverpool.html#ixzz2AGcXSN80</span></a> <br>Follow us: <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rw?id=bBOTTqvd0r3Pooab7jrHcU&u=MailOnline" target="_blank">@MailOnline on Twitter</a> | <a href="http://ec.tynt.com/b/rf?id=bBOTTqvd0r3Pooab7jrHcU&u=DailyMail" target="_blank">DailyMail on Facebook</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-86717343464834830122012-10-28T18:33:00.000-07:002012-10-28T18:38:45.885-07:00KOP News # 1782 ---> Everton vs Liverpool : Preview & Prediction<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Everton vs Liverpool: Premier League Preview and Prediction<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt'>Published by adam | Filed under <a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/category/everton/" title="View all posts in Everton">Everton</a>, <a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/category/liverpool/" title="View all posts in Liverpool">Liverpool</a>, <a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/category/premierleague/" title="View all posts in Premier League">Premier League</a>, <a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/category/previews/" title="View all posts in Previews">Previews</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/everton.jpg"><span style='text-decoration:none'><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSh_KpWSOHQ/UI3eJsWbzMI/AAAAAAAALfw/SpT3KQFQVIw/s1600/image001-725885.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cSh_KpWSOHQ/UI3eJsWbzMI/AAAAAAAALfw/SpT3KQFQVIw/s320/image001-725885.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804539752855882946" /></a></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><i>10 men Everton equalizer against QPR through Sylvain Distin.</i> <o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div><p class=MsoNormal><i>Follow <b>The Premier League</b> with the fastest updating <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/livescores/"><b>Livescore</b></a> online, only at WSN.com!</i><br><b>10/28 16:00 BST, <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/everton-fc/">Everton</a> vs <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/liverpool-fc/">Liverpool</a> – <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/premiership/everton-fc_vs_liverpool-fc-odds/">Odds</a> | <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/preview/english-premiership/everton-fc_vs_liverpool-fc-preview/">Stats</a> </b><br><br><br>Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park this Sunday in a highly anticipated Merseyside Derby match. The Toffees have started the year off well and will love nothing more than to pile on the misery for 12 place Liverpool. With their home grounds only separated by a mile, the atmosphere inside Goodison Park should be a good one.<br><br><b>Everton</b>:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Everton face their biggest test since their opening day win to <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/manchester-united/">Manchester United</a>. Minus a few bumps (namely to West Brom), the Toffees have enjoyed a run of good football through four wins, three draws and only one loss. In fourth position in the standings, Everton is only three points behind the Manchester giants and seven behind leaders <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/chelsea-fc/">Chelsea</a>. In every match so far this season, Everton have out-shot their opponents and offered less chances on goal.<br><br><br>Manager David Moyes has both history and a long list of injuries against him. Key personnel Marouane Fellaini, Darron Gibson and now Steven Pienaar are all likely to miss Sunday's match. However, new signings don't have the Liverpool scars from the recent past and rarely does Everton have so much momentum going into the derby.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/liverpool1.jpg"><span style='text-decoration:none'><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNmgUyxlEWc/UI3eKR50LrI/AAAAAAAALgI/bo0Z7_INyEw/s1600/image008-729106.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNmgUyxlEWc/UI3eKR50LrI/AAAAAAAALgI/bo0Z7_INyEw/s320/image008-729106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804539762936393394" /></a></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br><b>Liverpool</b>:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Manager Brenden Rodgers knows that a win against Everton will leap frog his squad into the top half of the <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/premiership/">Premier League</a>. Two consecutive wins could give Liverpool the confidence to go on a run before the winter break. A late Raheem Sterling strike gave Liverpool a dramatic win against <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/england/reading/">Reading</a> over the weekend. The teenager has given Anfield the spark and youth that they have been craving. Pepe Reina is hoping for a swift recovery from a hamstring injury he picked up on international duty for Spain last week. The goalkeeper missed the Reds' 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday at Anfield and will likely be rested for Thursday's <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/uefa-cup/">Europa League</a> fixture against Russian side <a href="http://www.wsn.com/football/russia/anzhi-makhachkala/">Anzhi Makhachkala</a>. Replacement Brad Jones kept a clean sheet last week against Reading but has little experience to speak of.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://www.wsn.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/luissuarezraheemsterlingceleb20121020_576x324.jpg"><span style='text-decoration:none'><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8NQChLkCNk/UI3eLtvNUXI/AAAAAAAALgg/eSVH4M6oGkA/s1600/image009-734319.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E8NQChLkCNk/UI3eLtvNUXI/AAAAAAAALgg/eSVH4M6oGkA/s320/image009-734319.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5804539787587965298" /></a></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><br><b>Prediction</b>:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Liverpool have won five of the last seven Mersyside derbies. Last season's three head to head matches have all gone to Liverpool as the Reds outscored Everton 7 to 1. History favors Liverpool but recent form says otherwise. This is a derby however, and anything can happen.<br><br><br><b>Pick</b>:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Everton 1 – 2 Liverpool<br><br><br><b>Bet of the Match</b>:<br><a href="http://www.wsn.com/content/ladbrokes_1035/">Liverpool at 2.50 from Ladbrokes</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-24579959602431246392012-10-14T23:56:00.002-07:002012-10-15T00:02:16.990-07:00KOP News # 1731<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool FC: 4 Reasons Why the Reds Should Sign Celtic's Gary Hooper in January<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/569095-jake-ware" target="_parent">Jake Ware</a></span></b><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 13, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt9WamYROdk/UHu0-UGBr3I/AAAAAAAALcY/FR2JOqwMu94/s1600/image002-736990.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vt9WamYROdk/UHu0-UGBr3I/AAAAAAAALcY/FR2JOqwMu94/s320/image002-736990.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427927808520050" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>After managing only nine goals through its first seven games of the 2012-13 Premier League season, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> are all but certain to invest in a new striker in the January <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/transfer-window">Transfer Window</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>According to <i><a href="http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/121012/exclusive-liverpool-keen-hooper-celtic-contract-talks-stall-">talkSPORT</a></i>, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has his heart set on <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/celtic">Celtic</a>'s 24-year-old Englishman Gary Hooper, after contract talks between the striker and his club broke down.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Hooper has scored 60 goals in 100 appearances for the Bhoys since joining from Scunthorpe for £2.4 million in July 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool would be well served to pursue Hooper in January. Here are four reasons why.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJXVC4b05Ps/UHu0_JYESdI/AAAAAAAALck/Du0fbNwn5Qw/s1600/image003-739778.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJXVC4b05Ps/UHu0_JYESdI/AAAAAAAALck/Du0fbNwn5Qw/s320/image003-739778.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427942111267282" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xik8Yt7kS7U/UHu0_0fzaLI/AAAAAAAALcw/Gs14-LiLF5k/s1600/image005-742592.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xik8Yt7kS7U/UHu0_0fzaLI/AAAAAAAALcw/Gs14-LiLF5k/s320/image005-742592.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427953686440114" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6L6ZFuyRg0/UHu1AmgbvlI/AAAAAAAALc8/Y608_NQTp7s/s1600/image006-745553.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r6L6ZFuyRg0/UHu1AmgbvlI/AAAAAAAALc8/Y608_NQTp7s/s320/image006-745553.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427967110856274" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYv7W1wdwMY/UHu1BOoMpwI/AAAAAAAALdI/Lz-kZFuj364/s1600/image007-747957.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYv7W1wdwMY/UHu1BOoMpwI/AAAAAAAALdI/Lz-kZFuj364/s320/image007-747957.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427977880839938" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-63327091261569457972012-10-14T23:56:00.001-07:002012-10-15T00:01:49.674-07:00KOP News # 1730<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool Transfer News: Demba Ba Would Be Wise Addition to Reds' Anemic Attack<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/468081-ian-hanford" target="_parent">Ian Hanford</a></span></b><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 13, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBC2Ef3gfWo/UHu03kj47rI/AAAAAAAALcA/YxO7R6dDxAA/s1600/image001-709675.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBC2Ef3gfWo/UHu03kj47rI/AAAAAAAALcA/YxO7R6dDxAA/s320/image001-709675.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427811969658546" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Stu Forster/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a>'s issues on offense have carried over from last season, leaving Brendan Rodgers searching for outside options.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>According to <i>Daily Mail</i> reporter <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2216988/Liverpool-want-7m-Newcastle-hitman-Demba-Ba-attack.html">John Edwards</a>, Rodgers is interested in acquiring <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/newcastle-united">Newcastle United</a> striker <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/demba-ba">Demba Ba</a>:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:5.0pt'><span lang=EN>The Liverpool manager knows Ba, 27, would fit easily into his side's style of play and arrive with a proven goalscoring record in the Barclays Premier League.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:5.0pt'><span lang=EN>Securing the Senegal forward's release from Newcastle should be straightforward, after it emerged a £7million get-out clause in his contract kicks in again in the January transfer window.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Picking up another attacker became a desperate need after Fabio Borini <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2216776/Fabio-Borini-injury-leaves-Liverpool-boss-Brendan-Rodgers-short-firepower.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">broke his foot</a> while training with Italy's Under-21 team. Borini hasn't scored a goal—or dished an assist—this season, but he's still one of the team's most skilled players in the offensive third.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>The Reds need someone. Ba has 22 goals in 41 appearances with Newcastle, making him an interesting possibility. At 27 years old, he's young enough and he's proven in English Premier League play.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool's offensive struggles are nothing new. Last season, the team finished eighth on the EPL table after scoring 47 goals in 38 games. This year, the Reds have scored nine goals in seven games so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ1sM5Wpx38/UHu04dwB_5I/AAAAAAAALcM/zesuKECfnMI/s1600/image004-712844.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQ1sM5Wpx38/UHu04dwB_5I/AAAAAAAALcM/zesuKECfnMI/s320/image004-712844.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427827321405330" /></a><span lang=EN>Mike Hewitt/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>With high-octane attacks playing a major role in the success of the EPL's top teams, Liverpool cannot go all season with things as they are.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>If they do, another disappointing finish is on the way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Outside of Luis Suarez, the Reds don't have a consistent option. Suarez's five goals lead the team. Steven Gerrard has two scores, but he's the only other player with more than one to his credit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Ba's strong frame would work well in Rodgers' possession-style offense. He's a big body who uses his physicality to his benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Is he the world's most gifted goal-scorer? No, he's not, but his proven track record with Newcastle looks much better than what Liverpool is dealing with at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-30170071123543980972012-10-14T23:56:00.000-07:002012-10-15T00:01:42.867-07:00KOP News # 1728<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Yesil's scoring spree continues<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>14th Oct 2012 - Latest News <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Samed Yesil scored twice as Germany U19s beat Luxembourg 5-0 this weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>The 18-year-old fired his second and third goals of the international break to help ensure the Germans maintained their 100 per cent start to Euro U19 Championship qualifying.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>He has now scored an incredible 31 goals in 32 appearances for his country at youth level.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Elsewhere in U19 action, Ryan McLaughlin could feature for Northern Ireland on Monday when they take on Moldova.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:center'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvxxt6IhC2Y/UHu01xtnooI/AAAAAAAALb0/AcUe4tuvBSs/s1600/image001-702867.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zvxxt6IhC2Y/UHu01xtnooI/AAAAAAAALb0/AcUe4tuvBSs/s320/image001-702867.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799427781140390530" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN>Author:</span></b><span lang=EN> <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/JimmyRiceWriter" target="_blank">@JimmyRiceWriter</a><br><b>Tagged:</b> <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/germany" title="Search for germany">germany</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/samed+yesil" title="Search for samed yesil">samed yesil</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/yesil" title="Search for yesil">yesil</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-90406955590961686072012-10-14T23:36:00.000-07:002012-10-14T23:42:06.929-07:00KOP News # 1732<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool FC: 5 Players Fans Would Love to See in Red This January<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/528472-jake-rodd" target="_parent">Jake Rodd</a></span></b><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 14, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIJvxQg9Ew/UHuwPwuuOsI/AAAAAAAALZs/tscNuJ3Vyb4/s1600/image001-726929.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIJvxQg9Ew/UHuwPwuuOsI/AAAAAAAALZs/tscNuJ3Vyb4/s320/image001-726929.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422729995041474" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Alex Livesey/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Taking aside a defeat to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/arsenal">Arsenal</a> and a victory against Norwich, <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> have not received the points they've deserved from each and every Premier League fixture to date. Dropped points against <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/manchester-united">Manchester United</a>, City and <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/sunderland">Sunderland</a> in particular were unfair and unlucky, and while I could continue rambling about the injustice of it all, I will instead turn my attentions to the solutions for Liverpool's Premier League conundrum.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool need to bolster their attack. Brendan Rodgers has stated openly that had he known <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/andy-carroll">Andy Carroll</a> would have had no replacement, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19458601" target="_blank">he wouldn't have let the striker leave.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>But there is no point looking back and complaining. Liverpool as a whole must look to January for reinforcements, so the team can start finding the net with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Here are five players Liverpool fans would love to see arrive in January. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZXvAxGiToA/UHuwQrdpzcI/AAAAAAAALZ4/sJdAjkXPTNQ/s1600/image004-729997.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ZXvAxGiToA/UHuwQrdpzcI/AAAAAAAALZ4/sJdAjkXPTNQ/s320/image004-729997.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422745761140162" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yh2RgVtNKM/UHuwRBPENkI/AAAAAAAALaE/vD7NdySVNrg/s1600/image008-732479.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1yh2RgVtNKM/UHuwRBPENkI/AAAAAAAALaE/vD7NdySVNrg/s320/image008-732479.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422751605536322" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdOZxClwvbs/UHuwSoiR13I/AAAAAAAALaQ/RQqLdnXx2Po/s1600/image009-737652.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KdOZxClwvbs/UHuwSoiR13I/AAAAAAAALaQ/RQqLdnXx2Po/s320/image009-737652.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422779334973298" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WxIgldM0c8/UHuwTB2FD5I/AAAAAAAALac/HMCyfmyq6pI/s1600/image010-740151.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3WxIgldM0c8/UHuwTB2FD5I/AAAAAAAALac/HMCyfmyq6pI/s320/image010-740151.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422786128908178" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7B9Gd_mhmeY/UHuwT5lPtfI/AAAAAAAALao/1Qn-AbfsH9w/s1600/image011-742829.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7B9Gd_mhmeY/UHuwT5lPtfI/AAAAAAAALao/1Qn-AbfsH9w/s320/image011-742829.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799422801090688498" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-5937627635297894152012-10-14T23:33:00.000-07:002012-10-14T23:38:28.667-07:00KOP News # 1733<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.75pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#131313;letter-spacing:-.75pt'>Liverpools Rodgers keen on January spending spree<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:12.0pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#919191'>Published: 14 Oct 2012 - 17:17:23 </span></b><b><i><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#919191'>1014</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#919191'> Views</span></b><b><i><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#919191'>0</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#919191'> Comments<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:5.25pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7cRYxl7BLM/UHuvZaCZXXI/AAAAAAAALZg/id45zf4MWF8/s1600/image002-708668.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7cRYxl7BLM/UHuvZaCZXXI/AAAAAAAALZg/id45zf4MWF8/s320/image002-708668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799421796190608754" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'><a href="http://www.football.co.uk/liverpool/index.shtml" title="Liverpool News"><span style='color:#336699;text-decoration:none'>Liverpool</span></a> manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed he plans to improve his struggling side with several signings during the January transfer window.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>Rodgers' team are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after winning only one of their first seven matches and the Reds boss believes their poor form is down to a lack of strength in depth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>Liverpool are short of options in attack after failing to bring in a replacement for <a href="http://www.football.co.uk/profiles/players/andy_carroll_120774.shtml" title="Andy Carroll Player Profile"><span style='color:#336699;text-decoration:none'>Andy Carroll</span></a> following the England striker's loan move to West Ham.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>The need for reinforcements has increased after Italian forward Fabio Borini suffered a recent foot injury that left Uruguay's <a href="http://www.football.co.uk/profiles/players/luis_suarez_134756.shtml" title="Luis Suarez Player Profile"><span style='color:#336699;text-decoration:none'>Luis Suarez</span></a> as the only recognised fit senior striker at the club.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>Rodgers had been told to reduce the squad size and wage bill when he arrived from Swansea in pre-season, but he has spoken to the club's American owners about the need to bolster his squad in January and he is hoping to get the green light to bring in some new faces.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>"There are still areas we want to reinforce - and we have to reinforce as soon as we can," Rodgers told the Mail on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>"Our best team are comparable to any team in the Premier League. But we're a very thin squad and we are having to challenge on a lot of fronts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:16.8pt;background:white'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#363636'>"I've had good conversations with the owners and they understand where we are at as a team."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-57804581009163846512012-10-14T23:10:00.000-07:002012-10-14T23:16:00.702-07:00KOP News # 1729<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool Transfer News: Darren Bent Would Be a Great Addition to Reds Squad<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/364191-nicholas-goss" target="_parent">Nicholas Goss</a></span></b><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:#9F1C20'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 14, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGq2Asc1tME/UHuqIWNBruI/AAAAAAAALYM/4kjaYCF_EBI/s1600/image002-760703.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGq2Asc1tME/UHuqIWNBruI/AAAAAAAALYM/4kjaYCF_EBI/s320/image002-760703.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799416005545537250" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Alex Livesey/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/darren-bent">Darren Bent</a>'s record as a goal scorer would be a significant upgrade to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a>'s squad, and the Anfield club might be interested in the English striker with the January transfer window about 10 weeks away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Per the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2217528/Darren-Bent-leave-Aston-Villa-Liverpool-Queens-Park-Rangers.html"><i>Daily Mail</i></a>:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool and QPR could make a move for out-of-favour <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/aston-villa">Aston Villa</a> striker Darren Bent in the January transfer window. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Later in the article:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>QPR's owner and chairman Tony Fernandes is a long-term admirer of Bent's, but Liverpool are in desperate need of reinforcements in attack after Fabio Borini's broken foot has left Brendan Rodgers with Luis Suarez as his only senior striker to choose from.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN>Should Liverpool target Bent in January?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-family:Symbol'>·</span></b><b><span lang=EN> Yes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>51.5%<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-family:Symbol'>·</span></b><b><span lang=EN> No<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>48.5%<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Total votes: 408 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>For Liverpool to ensure that they qualify for the Europa League next season and finish as high in the Premier League table as possible, the Reds must purchase a quality goal scorer in January.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool's most recent league match was a 0-0 draw to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/stoke-city">Stoke City</a>, which highlighted the team's lack of players who can be relied on to score goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Over the next six weeks, the Reds have several tough league matchups against the likes of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a>, Tottenham, Newcastle and rival <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/everton">Everton</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>If Liverpool fails to earn many points for the rest of the calendar year, the club will be forced to buy a goal scorer in the next transfer window. Suarez and Bent would be a fantastic combo, and if they did join forces, the two stars likely wouldn't need much time to develop some solid chemistry.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yndvaiTK2uc/UHuqI3eJxnI/AAAAAAAALYY/RX6jB6I0H-s/s1600/image003-763382.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yndvaiTK2uc/UHuqI3eJxnI/AAAAAAAALYY/RX6jB6I0H-s/s320/image003-763382.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799416014475740786" /></a><span lang=EN>Brendan Rodgers <br>Clive Brunskill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Bent is an experienced Premier League performer and is still a top-tier forward who can excel against the top clubs. He's scored two league goals for Aston Villa this year, which leads the squad, despite the fact that he's started in just five games. He also led the club with nine league goals during the 2011-12 season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Liverpool is currently 14th in the table, just three points ahead of the relegation zone, while Aston Villa is 16th and two points from the drop zone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>It's clear that both clubs need to make some changes to get their seasons back on track.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-67290588074288388002012-10-14T20:13:00.000-07:002012-10-14T20:19:20.637-07:00KOP News # 1723<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool Transfer News: Reds Must Not Quit Chasing Christian Eriksen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/119675-sam-westmoreland" target="_parent">Sam Westmoreland</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 11, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Viq-M-708ZY/UHuAueGYi1I/AAAAAAAALW4/V6tz4pOA2FM/s1600/image002-760637.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Viq-M-708ZY/UHuAueGYi1I/AAAAAAAALW4/V6tz4pOA2FM/s320/image002-760637.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799370481011821394" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a>'s season has been an unmitigated disaster thus far, but if the Reds are truly committed to building for the future, they won't give up on their pursuit of Danish starlet Christian Eriksen. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>According to a <a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/914546-liverpool-target-christian-eriksen-rules-out-move-away-from-ajax#ixzz28q3oTKiu">report</a> from <i>Metro Sport</i>, the Reds have been incredibly interested in bringing in the talented 20-year-old midfielder to serve as the heir apparent to aging superstar Steven Gerrard, but Eriksen has told reporters that he prefers to remain at <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/ajax">Ajax</a> for the time being. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Per <i>Metro's </i>report: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Ajax had to fend off a host of enquiries in the summer transfer window and look set to have another fight on their hands in January, but Eriksen says a switch is not on his mind at the present time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>'It is great that such big clubs are interested,' he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>'It is very special for me but I am not contemplating various transfer scenarios in any way at the moment.'<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>While Eriksen seems happy with his Dutch club at the moment, the fact of the matter is that Liverpool cannot afford to give up their pursuit of the young playmaker. The 20-year-old is capable of filling the stat sheet in ways few midfielders can, with his sublime playmaking abilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>He's incredibly adept with the ball at his feet, capable of finding passing lanes and creating chances for players in ways only a select few players can. But he's not simply a facilitator—he scored seven goals last season and has already found the back of the net three times for the Dutch side this year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>In other words, he's the perfect candidate to eventually replace the talismanic Gerrard on the pitch at Anfield. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-AST6LsPo/UHuAu4iE0kI/AAAAAAAALXE/dzZR9h68jH4/s1600/image003-762797.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H7-AST6LsPo/UHuAu4iE0kI/AAAAAAAALXE/dzZR9h68jH4/s320/image003-762797.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799370488107291202" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Eriksen is a perfect heir for aging star Steven Gerrard <br>Clive Brunskill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At the moment, Liverpool's squad seems to be a bit of a mess. Their attack remains potent, having scored nine goals, but they still lack width on the attack and defensive fortitude, particularly in their midfield. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>While he's a central midfielder, Eriksen is capable of fixing both of those issues. He's a fairly skilled defensive player (although he's much more renowned for his offense), and his passing and ball-handling expand the pitch on attack, providing wings with plenty of chances to make runs down the sideline, thereby giving the attack the width it so desperately needs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Picturing his fantastic passes hitting a streaking Raheem Sterling in stride down the wing at Anfield surely has the Kop faithful drooling at the thought of him joining the Reds. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>On top of that, unlike fellow young midfield talent Jordan Henderson, whom the Reds signed to a massive deal before last season, Eriksen isn't a project or a long-term recruit. Despite being just 20 years old, the Danish youngster is already a polished, mature midfielder with the kind of intelligence and vision typically found in players 10 years his senior. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='color:red'>Should Liverpool chase Christian Eriksen?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:red'>·</span><span style='color:red'> Yes; he's a perfect fit and the kind of talent Liverpool need.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>82.4%<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-family:Symbol;color:red'>·</span><span style='color:red'> No; Liverpool have enough good midfielders already and bigger needs than the role he fills.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'>17.6%<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Total votes: 398 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Odds are good that Eriksen won't come cheap. Ajax love him, and he seems happy to play at the Dutch club for the time being, at the very least. But for Liverpool, who seem unlikely to contend for Europe in the immediate future, the Danish starlet is the kind of talent who can give fans hope for the future while helping them to contend now.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>If the Reds are looking to make a splash in the transfer market, landing one of the best young midfielders in the sport is a great way to do it. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>He's the kind of player the Reds believed they were getting in both Henderson and Charlie Adam, and with his talent and clear skill, he'd shine brightly in manager Brendan Rodgers' system. While he may not want to come to Anfield quite yet, the Reds can't quit pursuing him and convincing him. He's too skilled of a player for them to let someone else snatch him up. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-28072407819973882802012-10-14T20:06:00.002-07:002012-10-14T20:12:05.412-07:00KOP News # 1727<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-right:.25in;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:16.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>By <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/richard-arrowsmith/"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>Richard Arrowsmith</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-right:.25in;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:0in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:16.6pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span lang=EN style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol;color:#222222'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/by-date/14-10-2012"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>14 Oct 2012 13:07 </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;margin-bottom:6.0pt'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:28.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#111111'>Liverpool Who are yer? Suarez hits back at diving criticism from FIFA vice-president <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'This guy (Boyce), I've no idea who he is. He certainly can't be well-known and he wants to get publicity' says Kop striker<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.6pt'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jNChPsP3e8/UHt_BS5RqPI/AAAAAAAALWg/T_4lcBhTxpE/s1600/image002-725413.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9jNChPsP3e8/UHt_BS5RqPI/AAAAAAAALWg/T_4lcBhTxpE/s320/image002-725413.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799368605398313202" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Goes down easily: Suarez hits the floor against Stoke <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:4.5pt;text-align:right;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Clive Brunskill<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has hot back at comments made by FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Boyce, Britain's representative on FIFA, has <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpools-luis-suarez-should-be-hammered-1366716" target="_blank"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>criticised Suarez for a dive against Stoke</span></a> that he described as 'nothing less than cheating' and said simulation was a 'cancer' in the game.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>That prompted the <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/luis-suarez-diving-debate-liverpool-1373732" target="_blank"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) to write to FIFA</span></a> defending their player and demanding Boyce be referred to the governing body's Ethics Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>And Suarez has now had his say: 'This guy (Boyce), I've no idea who he is.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'I don't know why he has been talking about me. He certainly can't be well-known and he wants to get publicity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'Let him carry on talking. My job is to play football and to try to do so in the best way possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'What he has said does not affect me. I am not interested in what he has to say.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'It's been important to have the support of the Uruguayan FA and the people.'<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuQqLYQurAo/UHt_B57YicI/AAAAAAAALWs/bTLF7pYXl1U/s1600/image003-727173.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuQqLYQurAo/UHt_B57YicI/AAAAAAAALWs/bTLF7pYXl1U/s320/image003-727173.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799368615876135362" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Controversy: Suarez has become the league's pantomime villain <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=right style='margin-bottom:4.5pt;text-align:right;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Clive Brunskill<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Suarez has courted controversy through diving and last season's race row with Patrice Evra, for which he was banned for eight matches.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>And he said: 'I have lived through a lot in the past year, with people saying things about me, but I have continued playing and proving my job is what happens on the pitch.'<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Boyce was talking earlier this week as he called for football associations to take retrospective action against players who dive.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Boyce said: 'I have seen several incidents recently, and I watched the latest Suarez incident two or three times, and to me it is nothing less than a form of cheating.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'It is becoming a little bit of a cancer within the game and I believe if it is clear to everyone that it is simulation then that person is trying to cheat and they should be severely punished for that.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>'It can be dealt with retrospectively by disciplinary committees, and it is done so in some associations, and I believe that is the correct thing to do.'<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>Meanwhile, Brendan <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/brendan-rodgers-urges-liverpool-to-spend-1377938" target="_blank"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>Rodgers has urged Liverpool's owners to splash the cash</span></a> in January.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:9.0pt;line-height:16.6pt'><span lang=EN style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";color:#222222'>If you think Suarez is bad, watch <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/in-the-cheat-of-the-moment-watch-10-of-the-best-1368863" target="_blank"><span style='color:#134987;text-decoration:none'>10 of the most spectacular simulations in football history</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-24684683834420593562012-10-14T20:06:00.001-07:002012-10-14T20:11:49.622-07:00KOP News # 1726<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool City Council set to give go-ahead for Anfield redevelopment<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>• Regeneration work could start as soon as 2014<br>• 'New stadium not critical to LFC' says John W Henry<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/gregg-bakowski">Gregg Bakowski</a> <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><span lang=EN><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian">The Guardian</a>, Sunday 14 October 2012 15.54 BST <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDgprgzZfjw/UHt-9XZRZwI/AAAAAAAALWU/RoAK7VqKA58/s1600/image001-709622.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDgprgzZfjw/UHt-9XZRZwI/AAAAAAAALWU/RoAK7VqKA58/s320/image001-709622.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799368537886779138" /></a><span lang=EN><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN>Liverpool owner John W Henry says it is a myth that stadium issues will magically alter the club's fortunes. Photograph: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/liverpool" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Liverpool">Liverpool</a> City Council is expected to pave the way for the redevelopment of Anfield when it announces regeneration plans for the area on Monday .<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>The club's owner, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/john-w-henry" title="More from guardian.co.uk on John W Henry">John W Henry</a>, has always preferred the option of staying at the club's home since 1892 and a council decision to give the green light to compulsory purchase order consultations on houses near the stadium would allow for work to begin as soon as 2014.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Henry has always preferred the option of redeveloping Anfield, but the delay in making a decision has led to increasing dismay among local residents who have already seen regeneration work held up by failed plans for a new stadium under the club's previous owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>At a meeting in May attended by Ian Ayre, the Liverpool managing director, residents living in neighbouring streets were presented with three options involving knocking down rows of houses. It is understood that at the time residents were told they could receive a price higher than market valuation as well as a 10% "home loss payment". Though some were fearful that they may not receive enough money to afford a similar home elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>The cost of increasing the capacity is unknown but it is expected work would focus on adding an extra tier to the main stand and Anfield Road and incorporating more corporate facilities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Henry, whose <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/fenway-sports-group" title="More from guardian.co.uk on Fenway Sports Group">Fenway Sports Group</a> also own the Major League Baseball team the Boston Red Sox, faced a similar situation with Fenway Park, the Red Sox's historic home of over 100 years, and chose to redevelop it rather than move.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>Henry has in the past spoken publicly about his belief that a new stadium is not critical to Liverpool's chances of competing with their rivals and that developing the club's brand globally is more important for increasing revenue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN>"A belief has grown that Liverpool FC must have a new stadium to compete with [Manchester] United, Arsenal and others," Henry said. "While a new stadium or an expansion of Anfield is beneficial over the long term for the club, the financial impact of adding seats and amenities should be put into perspective. That's why I say that it is a myth that stadium issues are going to magically transform LFC's fortunes. Building new or refurbishing Anfield is going to lead to an increase from £40m of match-day revenue to perhaps £60-70m if you don't factor in debt service. Our future is based not on a stadium issue, but on building a strong football club that can compete with anyone in Europe. This will be principally driven financially by our commercial strengths globally."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-10337482064846660602012-10-14T20:06:00.000-07:002012-10-14T20:11:34.977-07:00KOP News # 1725<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Liverpool: Lucas Confident Of A Bright Future<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><i><span lang=EN style='color:black'>Reds midfielder Lucas Leiva has been discussing his belief that Liverpool will become successful once more in the coming years...</span></i><span lang=EN style='color:black'><br><br>Injured Brazilian international <b>Lucas Leiva</b> sees no reason why Liverpool cannot be challenging for Premier League and Champions League titles again in the not too distant future.<br><br>Speaking to fans from independent club websites, Lucas claimed: "In five years I can see us achieving a lot of things.<br><br>"The last three or four years have been very difficult, it's a difficult moment, but we'll start to achieve."<br><br>The 25-year-old, who is still around a month away from returning from a <a href="http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=291768" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#CC0033'>thigh injury sustained against Manchester City</span></b></a> in August, sees no reason why such aspirations should not be met given the quality of players currently at Anfield.<br><br>"We have to have that dream in mind. Everyone here is working to do that one day. We know at the moment it's not possible," elaborated the former Gremio star.<br><br>"But if you see players like Suarez and Daniel Agger signing new deals and committing themselves to this club, it just shows how much these players believe.<br><br>"I don't think anybody would want to stay at a club they really don't believe can win anything, especially foreign players, because if you are so away from your house, your family, you want it to be a great career away.<br><br>"In five years, I just hope we can be winning the league and maybe the Champions League. Why not? We have to believe that. This club has already showed many people what we're capable of doing. Why can we not get back?"<br><br>Lucas joined the Merseysiders in 2007 but the only success in his time at the club so far has been last season's Carling Cup triumph. Unfortunately for the player himself, he missed almost all of the campaign after a serious knee injury required reconstructive surgery.<br><br>League titles especially seem a long way off at this moment in time with the Reds languishing in 14th with only one win and six points from seven games played.<br><br><i>Follow me on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/superbag" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#CC0033'>@superbag</span></b></a></i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span lang=EN style='color:black'><br><br>Read more: <a href="http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=296466#ixzz29KTieFIA"><span style='color:#003399'>http://www.liverpool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=296466#ixzz29KTieFIA</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-41667867575925632982012-10-14T20:05:00.000-07:002012-10-14T20:11:23.380-07:00KOP News # 1724<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Brendan Rodgers' Future: Could His Days Already Be Numbered at Anfield?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/730994-nathan-judah" target="_parent">Nathan Judah</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on October 11, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Aihm9Oz_0/UHt-3GE0CfI/AAAAAAAALWI/n-b_HXQ36zE/s1600/image001-783380.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2Aihm9Oz_0/UHt-3GE0CfI/AAAAAAAALWI/n-b_HXQ36zE/s320/image001-783380.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799368430158350834" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Looking For Inspiration: Brendan Rodgers has problems <br>Clive Brunskill/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Halloween has come early for Brendan Rodgers, as the ghosts and demons circling around Anfield over the last few seasons remain prevalent, with any potential exorcism still a long way off. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The ex-<a href="http://bleacherreport.com/chelsea">Chelsea</a> and Swansea man has not covered himself in glory as he looks to assert his authority at Anfield.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Those who thought the Welshman would quickly fix the sinking ship that is <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> have been sadly mistaken.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>It has been their worst start to a season for over 100 years, a quite incredible statistic that even the most pessimistic Red surely did not see coming in the post-Dalglish era.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Yet the facts don't lie, and after yet another hugely disappointing result against Stoke, they face an absolute must-win game at home to <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/reading">Reading</a> next weekend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Then follows Rodgers' first Merseyside derby at Goodison Park against an <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/everton">Everton</a> side that are without doubt the better team at this moment in time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The Andy Carroll debacle is only going to escalate further now <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9603079/Fabio-Borinis-injury-worsens-Liverpool-striker-shortage.html">Fabio Borini is out for at least four weeks</a>, leaving Luis Suarez as the club's only recognised striker.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Anyone else see an embarrassing U-turn come January as they recall the England international?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>With a club the size of Liverpool to have one fit striker on the books is an absolute disgrace, and Rodgers needs to take responsibility for the situation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>John W. Henry has already fired Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine after just one year in charge, after one of the <a href="http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8461424/boston-red-sox-fire-manager-bobby-valentine-one-season">worst seasons in Boston history</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>There are plenty of similarities in Rodgers' situation, and while his current tenure has not reached the same volatility of Valentine's, the same foundations are certainly being set.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-39218580218713897622012-10-14T19:08:00.000-07:002012-10-14T19:14:26.100-07:00KOP News # 1716<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Suarez shows maturity over diving row<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>By <a href="http://www.thisisanfield.com/author/This%20Is%20Anfield%20Team-2/" title="Posts by This Is Anfield">This Is Anfield</a> on October 10, 2012 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Liverpool's Luis Suarez has responded to critics suggesting he goes to ground to easily during Premier League matches by telling them to concentrate on their own team.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9c56vvz94w/UHtxgkrOe2I/AAAAAAAALVA/lc8F1MIwK0Q/s1600/image001-766101.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u9c56vvz94w/UHtxgkrOe2I/AAAAAAAALVA/lc8F1MIwK0Q/s320/image001-766101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799353749584378722" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Stoke boss Tony Pulis remarkably diverted media attention away from a vicious stamp on Suarez's chest by his defender Robert Huth to blasting Suarez as "embarassing" for a second half penalty claim during Saturday's 0-0 draw at Anfield.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Suarez has told <i>Ovacion</i> that his critics need to worry about themselves, and he will continue to play his best for Liverpool<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"Everyone should focus on their own team," he said. "Those who want to talk can do so, I am not worried about what they say.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"They can keep talking and in the meantime I will keep on playing football and taking care of my team and what I do. Nothing else matters."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-25973993512977684382012-10-14T17:59:00.000-07:002012-10-14T18:05:26.713-07:00KOP News # 1715<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Rodgers searching for winning formula after Liverpool's abject start to campaign <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Sportsmail+Reporter">Sportsmail Reporter</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>PUBLISHED:</b> 18:20 GMT, 10 October 2012 | <b>UPDATED:</b> 18:20 GMT, 10 October 2012 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Brendan Rodgers will use the international break in hope of discovering the winning formula to Liverpool's so-so start to the season.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>The Anfield club, who drew 0-0 with Stoke on Sunday, have taken just six points from their opening seven Barclays Premier League games this term to leave them a distant 14th in the table.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>But while most of the Liverpool squad are away on duty for their respective countries, Rodgers is already preparing for the club's next game with Reading on October 20. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gff3JIc67RQ/UHthV3WoktI/AAAAAAAALTs/S6yZT_aDeow/s1600/image002-726714.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gff3JIc67RQ/UHthV3WoktI/AAAAAAAALTs/S6yZT_aDeow/s320/image002-726714.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799335973433676498" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>In charge: Rodgers is already preparing for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Reading <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'It is frustrating, especially if you have drawn a game but played well, you want to get back onto the field and get into a match situation,' said Rodgers.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'But as I've said before, it also gives us a chance to work closer with the players that are left here - and me a chance to have a look at some of the younger players.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'I've been really impressed by the young players here at the football club and this gives me a chance to get an overview of them at close hand.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'It's been a busy period for us with a lot of games and work, so it will give the players and staff a chance to recuperate - then we'll really look forward to going once again once everyone is back from international duty.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDN48f40brw/UHthWmjQi_I/AAAAAAAALT4/1Mz8RKIwTOk/s1600/image003-729947.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDN48f40brw/UHthWmjQi_I/AAAAAAAALT4/1Mz8RKIwTOk/s320/image003-729947.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799335986103094258" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Crocked: But Enrique is closing in on a first-team return <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'Off the field, we've been speaking with our scouting team and analytical team in terms of looking at how Reading play and work, so there is a lot of work going on off the field in our preparation for the game.'</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>Meanwhile, Rodgers has been handed a boost with the news that defender Jose Enrique is closing in on a first-team return. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>The Liverpool boss said: 'He hasn't been [available for selection] in the last couple of weeks. It's unfortunate - he's got a pain in his knee that he was struggling with. We've been trying to treat it conservatively. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'Hopefully within the next week to 10 days he'll be back out on the training field and hopefully there will be no reaction. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:14.5pt'>'He's a terrific player, Jose, and has got great qualities. We hope we can get him back sooner rather than later.' </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-68004557666153792502012-10-14T17:38:00.001-07:002012-10-14T17:44:19.964-07:00KOP News # 1714<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Stuart Pearce Calls Up Four Liverpool Players to England U21 Squad<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>By <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/users/Noel%20C">Noel C</a> on Oct 10, 3:15p<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgWwzLoGpws/UHtcZWXV_tI/AAAAAAAALSk/Gz0pNt9Lg_s/s1600/image001-759965.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgWwzLoGpws/UHtcZWXV_tI/AAAAAAAALSk/Gz0pNt9Lg_s/s320/image001-759965.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799330535739621074" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Jan Kruger - Getty Images<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>England U21 manager Stuart Pearce today called four Liverpool players up for a pair of matches against Serbia—and this time around, three of them could at least be called senior squad players.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>In the past, Liverpool's U21 call-ups were always something of an afterthought. Something for fans to think, <i>Oh, that's nice</i> about before getting back to the serious business of worrying over which of the senior players would end up injured on big boy international duty. Now, though, with Liverpool so heavily reliant on their youth for success not only in the European and domestic cup competitions but even in the Premier League, suddenly that those youth players are heading off to represent their countries becomes something of a big deal.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>So is the case this week, with Stuart Pearce calling Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom, and Jack Robinson up for a U21 European Championships playoff double-header against Serbia that could make or break England's qualification hopes for the 2013 edition of the tournament. Henderson is expected to captain the side despite falling out of favour at Liverpool, and with Sterling and Wisdom growing more important by the week for Brendan Rodgers it really only leaves Robinson whose inclusion feels rather like the U21 and U19 call-ups of past years—something potentially positive for the player's development that, no matter what happens, is unlikely to have a serious impact on Liverpool's season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>For those looking to keep track of Liverpool's suddenly integral youngsters, the first match of their home-and-home series sees Serbia travel to Carrow Road on Friday before England returns the favour on the following Tuesday. Given Pearce's involvement, expect lots of hoofing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-80400326201934967832012-10-14T17:38:00.000-07:002012-10-14T17:43:56.878-07:00KOP News # 1713<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>It doesn't add up: Terry's four-game racism ban too short says former FA chief <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The decision to ban Terry for half as long as Luis Suarez baffles Lord Triesmann – and he expects JT to apologise to Anton Ferdinand<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-FPz848jaM/UHtcTsNdgEI/AAAAAAAALSY/EfXLAMBw8iY/s1600/image002-736879.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-FPz848jaM/UHtcTsNdgEI/AAAAAAAALSY/EfXLAMBw8iY/s320/image002-736879.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799330438524534850" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finger of fudging: The FA have not been consistent with ban of Chelsea's John Terry, and previous action against Luis Suarez <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richard Heathcote<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>If it's not half as bad, how come it's half the ban? That's the verdict of former Football Association chairman Lord Triesman, who today hit out at <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-terrys-racism-ban-too-short-1366427">the decision to ban John Terry for only four matches for racist abuse</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Chelsea captain Terry was <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-terry-handed-four-match-1346894">handed the suspension and a £220,000 fine after being found guilty of using a racist slur towards Anton Ferdinand by an independent FA regulatory commission</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The ban was half of that meted out to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The FA commission said Terry had been given a lesser ban because the "racist insult was issued only once", as opposed to repeated use by Suarez.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>But Lord Triesman told the BBC: "It may be when you look at all the detail they thought there were reasons for [it]. I can't see it."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Terry is due to decide during the international break whether to appeal his guilty verdict.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Lord Triesman added: "He's within his rights to appeal. My own view is that it would be more sensible to apologise and accept it's not a good standard," he said.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"I just don't believe in this day and age that anybody can think that it's okay, and that you don't owe an apology, not least to the other player."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-john-terry-is-set-to-accept-1370077">Terry is unlikely to pursue an appeal against the punishment.</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-35073213582156772732012-10-14T17:37:00.000-07:002012-10-14T17:43:05.856-07:00KOP News # 1712<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>BR on Enrique, Robbo and Allen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>10th Oct 2012 - Latest News <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Jose Enrique is closing in on a return to full training at Melwood – and the boss is hopeful of having the full-back available for selection in the not too distant future.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brDcAZEcAXM/UHtcG8CdFpI/AAAAAAAALSM/aEyIc0GhTC4/s1600/image001-785857.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-brDcAZEcAXM/UHtcG8CdFpI/AAAAAAAALSM/aEyIc0GhTC4/s320/image001-785857.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5799330219435038354" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>A knee complaint has meant the Spaniard has not figured for the Reds since the Europa League tie against Young Boys on September 20, and has featured just twice in the Barclays Premier League.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com: "He hasn't been [available for selection] in the last couple of weeks. It's unfortunate - he's got a pain in his knee that he was struggling with. We've been trying to treat it conservatively.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"Hopefully within the next week to 10 days he'll be back out on the training field and hopefully there will be no reaction.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"He's a terrific player, Jose, and has got great qualities. We hope we can get him back sooner rather than later."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Meanwhile, Rodgers has explained why Liverpool will aim to use the current international break to their benefit - but insists everyone within the camp is already itching to contest our next game against Reading on October 20.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The majority of Reds players are currently scattered across the globe representing their countries, meaning the boss and his backroom team are working with just a handful of senior players at Melwood.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Nonetheless, Rodgers insists preparations for the Reading clash remain ongoing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>He said: "It is frustrating, especially if you have drawn a game but played well, you want to get back onto the field and get into a match situation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"But as I've said before, it also gives us a chance to work closer with the players that are left here - and me a chance to have a look at some of the younger players. I've been really impressed by the young players here at the football club and this gives me a chance to get an overview of them at close hand.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"It's been a busy period for us with a lot of games and work, so it will give the players and staff a chance to recuperate - then we'll really look forward to going once again once everyone is back from international duty.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"Off the field, we've been speaking with our scouting team and analytical team in terms of looking at how Reading play and work, so there is a lot of work going on off the field in our preparation for the game."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The latest name to jet off on international duty was Jack Robinson, who earned a call-up to the England U21 squad on Wednesday morning - news that has pleased Rodgers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"Young Jack has been doing very well," he reflected. "He's had a lot of exposure to the first team as a young player already, but he's done very well recently and it's good news for him. It's also great news for Liverpool that not only are there so many young players featuring in the team, but they're also getting that recognition at international level, which is always important."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Meanwhile, Rodgers has paid tribute to Joe Allen after the midfielder was named as the Welsh Footballer of the Year for 2012 on Monday.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>The manager feels the accolade is just rewards for the progress the No.24 has made since arriving in the Barclays Premier League with Swansea City in the summer of 2011.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"He's had an outstanding year, Joe, hence the reason he was one of the key players I wanted to bring in here," said Rodgers. "I think the supporters already see what he brings to the team, his bravery and courage with the ball.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"He's a very humble guy and very respectful - he knows there's still a lot of work for him to do.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>"It's a wonderful honour with so many talented Welsh players like Gareth Bale, who has been one of the leading players in the world over the last few years, and also above some of the fantastic Swansea City players. It's great recognition for all his work in particular in the last 18 months."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b>Author:</b> <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/James_Carroll84" target="_blank">@James_Carroll84</a><br><b>Tagged:</b> <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/Allen" title="Search for Allen">Allen</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/Brendan+Rodgers" title="Search for Brendan Rodgers">Brendan Rodgers</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/Joe+Allen" title="Search for Joe Allen">Joe Allen</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/Rodgers" title="Search for Rodgers">Rodgers</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/enrique" title="Search for enrique">enrique</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/jack+robinson" title="Search for jack robinson">jack robinson</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/jose+enrique" title="Search for jose enrique">jose enrique</a> , <a href="http://www.liverpoolfc.com/search/tag/q/robinson" title="Search for robinson">robinson</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4765941350306287990.post-78327966023034211432012-10-03T01:08:00.000-07:002012-10-03T01:12:44.159-07:00KOP News # 1688<div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt'>Liverpool FC vs. Norwich: 5 Things the Reds Did Right in the 5-2 Victory<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>By <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/users/569095-jake-ware" target="_parent">Jake Ware</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>(Featured Columnist) on September 30, 2012 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvZtab2ze4/UGvzfPZLEeI/AAAAAAAALLQ/fjO_HJkMtnk/s1600/image002-764159.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WCvZtab2ze4/UGvzfPZLEeI/AAAAAAAALLQ/fjO_HJkMtnk/s320/image002-764159.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993063575884258" /></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Julian Finney/Getty Images <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/liverpool">Liverpool</a> have picked up their first win of the 2012-13 Premier League season with a 5-2 triumph over <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/norwich-city">Norwich City</a> at Carrow Road.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>It was a tremendous display of teamwork, finishing and skill, as the Reds completely outplayed their opposition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>There were a number of positives to draw from the victory, and if Liverpool continue to do many of the things they did right against Norwich, they could well see plenty more wins this season.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'>Here are the top five.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0qhxVGJG0/UGvzfptiPII/AAAAAAAALLc/odUbAIDOEOs/s1600/image003-766146.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wT0qhxVGJG0/UGvzfptiPII/AAAAAAAALLc/odUbAIDOEOs/s320/image003-766146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993070640610434" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6T4SAd8LP0/UGvzgnR3kzI/AAAAAAAALLo/a2uep5pGaos/s1600/image004-769461.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6T4SAd8LP0/UGvzgnR3kzI/AAAAAAAALLo/a2uep5pGaos/s320/image004-769461.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993087167566642" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0APukusEt54/UGvzhR0JLQI/AAAAAAAALL0/Q3_tnu9oehg/s1600/image005-772935.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0APukusEt54/UGvzhR0JLQI/AAAAAAAALL0/Q3_tnu9oehg/s320/image005-772935.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993098585615618" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubDdnbODPjY/UGvzio5-EhI/AAAAAAAALMA/livhdX5b1-0/s1600/image006-777505.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ubDdnbODPjY/UGvzio5-EhI/AAAAAAAALMA/livhdX5b1-0/s320/image006-777505.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993121963938322" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS7hMR8PjvE/UGvzjvdnoLI/AAAAAAAALMM/z160UulQG40/s1600/image007-781182.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OS7hMR8PjvE/UGvzjvdnoLI/AAAAAAAALMM/z160UulQG40/s320/image007-781182.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5794993140903944370" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15156072717640935144noreply@blogger.com0