Liverpool F.C. ~ General Chat & Latest News

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool's Kuyt derby doubt

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is an early derby doubt after pulling out of Holland's squad for their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Romania and Slovenia.

Kuyt has remained at Melwood to undergo treatment on a hamstring strain suffered during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool's Xabi targets derby comeback

Xabi Alonso admits he could be fit for Liverpool for their derby clash with Everton.

Alonso, recovering from a metatarsal injury, has been badly missed in Liverpool's recent worrying run, and said: "There is a chance at this moment that I could be OK for the derby, I don't really know.

"We will just have to wait and see. If I am pain-free next week then maybe I could be involved but it's still really too early to say."

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool battle Man City, Spurs for Mendy

Liverpool must beat a host of rivals to land PSG fullback Bernard Mendy.

The Mirror says the France international has six months remaining on his contract, and has refused all offers of a new deal, leaving PSG with no option but to try to get as much cash as they can for him.

Mendy, 26, who has been watched all season by Liverpool, will cost around £3m, and has already made it clear he wants to leave PSG.

However, Inter Milan, Juventus, Tottenham and Manchester City are also interested.

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool, Man Utd battle for 'new Zidane'

AS Monaco midfielder Jeremy Menez is being chased by Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Sun says both Premier League giants have sent scouts to watch the gifted Frenchman.

Menez, 20, has notched three goals in nine appearances for Monaco this season.

And Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and his United counterpart Alex Ferguson are both keen on landing the hitman.

Menez is a France Under-21 international and has already been tipped for greatness - with some pundits comparing his play-making skills with those of French legend Zinedine Zidane.

Inter Milan are also keeping a close eye on the player, who could leave at the end of the season.

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is being linked to a January move for Afonso Alves, seen here in June 2007, after the Brazilian striker scored seven goals to help his Dutch club Heerenveen complete a 9-0 victory over Heracles Almelo.

Liverpool plan to swoop for Brazilian striker Alves

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is being linked Wednesday to a January move for Dutch club Heerenveen's Brazilian front man Afonso Alves.

The rumours are bound to fuel rumours that Peter Crouch is on his way out of Anfield but Alves will not come cheap after his seven-goal exploit in his club's 9-0 victory over Heracles Almelo at the weekend.

The 26-year-old forward was signed form Swedish side Malmo before the start of last season and went on to score 34 goals in 31 league games and was named the Netherlands' player of the year. Alves has seven caps for Brazil. (AFP)

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool want scoring sensation Afonso Alves

Liverpool are weighing up a move for Heerenveen sensation Afonso Alves.

The Mirror says from Anfield were at Heerenveen at the weekend to watch Brazilian striker Afonso Alves rattle in an incredible seven goals to set a scoring record in the Dutch League.

The Brazil international was top scorer in Holland last season with 34 goals, but when he demanded a move Heerenveen priced him out of the market at £12 million.

Benitez knows Peter Crouch could leave in January and will seek to replace him with Alves.

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[Freddy Adu]

Valencia tracking Liverpool striker Crouch

Valencia are interested in Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is ready to cash in on Crouch as he continues to baulk at signing a new contract.

Manchester City and Portsmouth are monitoring developments, along with continental giants Juventus and Valencia.

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool Benitez determined to land Roma's Mancini

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is determined to win the race for Roma wing dazzler Amantino Mancini.

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The Mirror says Benitez is still keen on Mancini, despite having an offer for the right-sided midfielder rejected in the summer.

The Brazil international has since fallen out with Roma coach Luciano Spalleti in spectacular style and his agent, Gilmar Veloz, has been instructed to find him a new club during the transfer window.

Liverpool will face competition from Lyon for Mancini - but they can offer bigger wages. Benitez will be prepared to pay around £8m to land the 27-year old South American.

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[GloriousReds]

ARGIE ace Javier Mascherano wants to commit his long-term future to Liverpool.


The midfield enforcer joined the Anfield giants in January in a storm of controversy after a dismal six months at West Ham.


Mascherano, 23, initially moved on an 18-month “lease agreement” costing the Reds around £2.5million.


There have been rumours he would walk away on a free next summer as he is unhappy at not playing regularly because of Rafa Benitez’s infamous rotation system.


A long-term deal could cost Liverpool £17m, with the money going to the Media Sports Investment group, who own Mascherano’s rights.


And the tough-tackling star, known as the Little Chief, has shot down all the gossip and admitted he wants to stay — for years.


Mascherano said: “I’m very happy here. I feel settled and would like to play at the new stadium.


“I love playing for Liverpool and if the manager wants to keep me then I’d definitely stay for a long time.


“Liverpool are one of the world’s biggest teams. They’ve got history, tradition, success and great fans.


“Rafa’s always used rotation so why would he stop it when it has brought him so much success?


“I know if I want to play I need to work really hard. We have good players in every position so no one has the right to start every match.”

[Amo-te Benfica]

please remember to post the source mate.

Torres: Leg injury


Fernando Torres will miss the Merseyside derby after suffering a leg injury while training with Spain.


The Liverpool striker is facing at least 10 days on the sidelines after damaging a muscle in his right leg during a training session on Friday ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark.


That means the 23-year-old is now out of the eagerly-anticipated Premier League derby against Everton at Goodison Park on 20th October.


News of the injury will be come as a major blow to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez following Torres' impressive start to the season.


Spain coach Luis Aragones, meanwhile, is now likely to call on Espanyol's Raul Tamudo against Denmark.


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[D. Stankovic]

HARRY Kewell is expected to return to full training at Liverpool next week.

The Australian midfielder has not kicked a ball for the Anfield club this season after picking up a groin injury while playing for his country in the Asian Cup.

It was the latest in a series of injury setbacks for Kewell, but manager Rafael Benitez is now hoping he can prove his fitness and press for a place in the first team squad.

[Freddy Adu]

Benitez insists Liverpool won't "fall apart"

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is determined not to let their campaign "fall apart".

The Reds turned in two dreadful home displays last week and many fans and former players have started to question their title credentials.

But Benitez said: "This isn't a time for being negative, it's a time for being positive. We know we haven't played well.

"But you can't accept that you will be bad and let everything fall apart. You have to work hard to try and recover."

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Benitez welcomes Kewell back to training

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez expects Harry Kewell to join full-scale training next week.

The Australia midfielder has not kicked a ball for the Anfield club this season after picking up a groin injury while playing for his country in the Asian Cup in the summer.

Benitez told Liverpool's official website: "Harry has been working really hard with the physios and next week he could be training or running with the rest of the first team.

"Harry is very important for us. A player with pace and ability who can score goals is always going to be important.

"It's clear he's someone with great quality and experience and we need these kind of players for the rest of the season."

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss accepts Torres injury risk

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez refuses to complain after Fernando Torres declared himself available for Spain in tomorrow's Euro2008 qualifier against Denmark, despite aggravating an ankle injury.

The Liverpool striker was restricted to just a light training session with his international team-mates earlier in the week, but he is expected to figure in Spain's crucial clash with Denmark on Saturday.

Benitez, who wants the player fit for his first Mersey derby at Everton on Saturday week, added: "It is a risk but I know he wants to play because they have such an important game for Spain."

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[Freddy Adu]

Torres: I didn't join Liverpool for money

Fernando Torres says money wasn't the factor in joining Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in the summer.

"My choice was not down to money. This is a personal challenge," Torres, who reportedly took a pay cut to join the Reds, told the Liverpool Echo. "I have signed for six seasons and my desire is to play here for the six.

"Liverpool have great players and I'm happy to be around them. The more goals I can score, the better."

But he admits that leaving Madrid was the toughest decision of his life.

The striker was shocked by the emotional reactions he received when leaving Atletico, when fans protested outside the stadium the day his move to Liverpool was confirmed.

"People were crying. It was a bit of a shock that I was so important to them," Torres says.

"It was a hard and difficult moment, but the decision had been made. Those people that I'd seen crying were the very same ones that sent me calls and messages of support.

"It's a happiness for me, personally, as it's unusual for Spanish supporters to act like that."

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Benitez wants £12M for Crouch

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is putting Peter Crouch up for sale.

The Mirror says Benitez wants £12million for Crouch, with Portsmouth and Manchester City leading the race.

Liverpool boss Benitez will hold out for the huge fee - and �5m profit - as he prepares to sell the England ace in the transfer window.

The valuation shows Benitez does not want to see Crouch, 26, go - but will sell if he has cash for a replacement striker.

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool's Gerrard: You can't axe Barry

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admits axing Aston Villa's Gareth Barry from the England starting XI would be harsh.

Barry stepped into the side when Frank Lampard was injured last month and formed an impressive partnership with Gerrard in the Wembley encounters with Russia and Israel.

Chelsea midfielder Lampard is fit again and could return to displace Barry as Gerrard's partnership.

But the Liverpool skipper, who will captain his country in the absence of John Terry against Estonia, said: "Gareth was fantastic in both games and I'm sure he'll feel hard done by if he was dropped. He was man of the match in those two games."

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[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool's Gerrard handed England captaincy

Liverpool ace Steven Gerrard will captain England against Estonia in John Terry's absence.

With usual captain Terry out of Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier, head coach Steve McClaren has asked Gerrard to take the armband.

Gerrard is hopeful Terry will be fit enough to return against Russia on Wednesday, but is happy to be captain in his absence.

"I think JT's got a bit of a knee problem. Hopefully he'll be able to play on Wednesday," he said live on Sky Sports News.

"The manager has told me I'm skipper. To be captain at the new Wembley will be a special day for myself."

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[Freddy Adu]

Amorebieta welcomes Liverpool, Chelsea interest

Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta has welcomed interest from Liverpool and Chelsea.

Representatives from Liverpool and Chelsea are believed to have watched Amorebieta in action twice this season, fuelling speculation that they could make a move for the defender in January when the transfer window reopens.

The player is surprised, but would be interested in a move to England.

"I have not spoken to any English club, but their interest makes me determined to work to improve in Bilbao.

"England is a competitive league."

Bilbao are aware of the rumours regarding Amorebieta, but insist they have had no approaches for the 22-year-old.

"We are know the rumours but still nobody has formally contacted us," said an Bilbao spokesperson.

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[Freddy Adu]

Besiktas vs Liverpool

Liga dos Campeões 2007/2008 | Fase de Grupos | Group A

Besiktas Liverpool

Date 2007-10-24 19h45 City İstanbul Stadium Inönü Referee

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool explain Ayesteran situation

Liverpool have announced that Pako Ayestaran will step down from his position as assistant manager but will continue to be contracted to the club until June 30, 2008.

Reds Chief executive Rick Parry said on the club�s official website: "Following discussions between Rafael Benitez and Pako Ayestaran, it has been agreed that it would be in the best interests of all parties if Pako leaves his post as assistant manager.

�Pako, however, will remain under contract to us until next summer.

"The club want to thank Pako for his hard work and contribution to our success over the past three years."

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[Freddy Adu]

Arbeloa insists Liverpool title push still on

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa insists their Premiership title bid is still on, despite a series of disappointing results.

"We have three important games in the next week," the Spaniard told liverpoolfc.tv. "They are all difficult - Everton away, Besiktas away and then Arsenal home.

"We need to win all three games and for us that is important. Maybe we need to improve performances, but we also need to win those games.

"We still think the Premier League title is possible. We have a chance, but we need to fight for the title.

"We are still unbeaten in the Premier League and we need to keep working and train really hard," he added. "We have confidence and Arsenal are only six points ahead of us. That is not too much.

"If we beat them it is just three points."

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[Freddy Adu]

Arbeloa promises more to come from Liverpool's Torres

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has told fans there's a lot more to come from teammate Fernando Torres.

"He was a big rival in Madrid," the full-back told liverpoolfc.tv. "I have played against Fernando three times, two for Real Madrid and one for Deportivo, and I have won two and the other was a draw.

"But I think he never had much luck against Real. For a defender, if you are playing against Fernando you have a big problem.

"He is a very good striker. I am not surprised at how quickly he has settled in England because he has the perfect characteristics for the Premier League.

"I think that Fernando will score more goals here than in Spain and his performance will be better.

"He is very strong. He is a fighter. He has confidence and he is scoring goals already. That is very important for him - and for us."

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[Freddy Adu]

Arbeloa promises more to come from Liverpool's Torres

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has told fans there's a lot more to come from teammate Fernando Torres.

"He was a big rival in Madrid," the full-back told liverpoolfc.tv. "I have played against Fernando three times, two for Real Madrid and one for Deportivo, and I have won two and the other was a draw.

"But I think he never had much luck against Real. For a defender, if you are playing against Fernando you have a big problem.

"He is a very good striker. I am not surprised at how quickly he has settled in England because he has the perfect characteristics for the Premier League.

"I think that Fernando will score more goals here than in Spain and his performance will be better.

"He is very strong. He is a fighter. He has confidence and he is scoring goals already. That is very important for him - and for us."

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