Random scurrilous Liverpool rumours

[STEVIEG]

Their good friend, Julio, a referee in his native Spain, later joined them for supper, and cooked up a quite splendid Paella

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RPy-zqDT7tI&mode=related&search=

[ho chi feen]

"Then Mascherano received a knock on the door of his apartment in London's Docklands. It was Rafael Benitez. The Liverpool manager turned up unannounced and wanted to know why Mascherano had chosen the Stadio Delle Alpi ahead of Anfield. Over the next four hours Benitez talked to Mascherano as no coach had talked to him before, and the 22-year-old was utterly mesmerised. He also changed his mind. He would now try to join Liverpool.
During the conversation Benitez had sat leaning over the coffee table and enthusiastically using the decorative stones placed on it to represent Liverpool players, just as a father might improvise with salt and pepper pots to explain the game to his son."

The sexual tension in the air was said to be incredible as sparks flew between the middle-aged Spanish Boss and his young Argentine lover

Fucking hell! Sounds like a script from a Pedro Almodóvar film.

Philby was locked in his bedrom with the curtains drawn, and was unavailable for comment.

[STEVIEG]

Fucking hell! Sounds like a script from a Pedro Almodóvar film.

Philby was locked in his bedrom with the curtains drawn, and was unavailable for comment.

Heh heh

http://i18.tinypic.com/2q0r0g6.jpg

Great movie too!

[ho chi feen]

Heh heh

http://i18.tinypic.com/2q0r0g6.jpg

Great movie too!

Benitez as the priest, Tevez as the renowned director's childhood bit of rough. Philby as the directors's friend in the opening scene!

[STEVIEG]

Benitez as the priest, Tevez as the renowned director's childhood bit of rough. Philby as the directors's friend in the opening scene!

Christ almighty! LMFAO

Forum on the verge of a nervous break down!

[ho chi feen]

Christ almighty! LMFAO

Forum on the verge of a nervous break down!

Heh heh heh heh heh heh heh

[Philby]

Benitez as the priest, Tevez as the renowned director's childhood bit of rough. Philby as the directors's friend in the opening scene!

I've seen that film but can't quite recall the character - would imagine he's a fine upstanding young man with not a hint of bum-banditry about him though....eh...?

[Philby]

Even ESPN get in on the act...check out their banner headline!

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/?cc=5739

[ho chi feen]

I've seen that film but can't quite recall the character - would imagine he's a fine upstanding young man with not a hint of bum-banditry about him though....eh...?

Here you ar... eh, I mean, here he is Philby. When I said friend, i actually meant "friend (;) )"

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/Eejitry/philby.jpg

Even ESPN get in on the act...check out their banner headline!

http://soccernet.espn.go.co m/?cc=5739

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e123/Eejitry/itson.jpg

Oh FUCK yeah, now it's ON!

[RonnyB]

http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_ NAME=soccer/07/02/09/manual_084427.html

could qualify as a rumour seeing as the source is The Sun.

[Philby]

http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.cgi?STORY_ NAME=soccer/07/02/09/manual_084427.html

could qualify as a rumour seeing as the source is The Sun.

I wouldn't put much stock in what that rag has to say...

here's a few more rumours..

Benitez to sign Tenerife teen GonzalezFeb 9 2007




by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post




RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to dip into the coffers of Liverpool’s new American owners by adding to his Spanish contingent.

The Anfield manager has earmarked a £1.5million move for Tenerife midfielder Iriome Gonzalez at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old right-sided midfielder has this year broken into the first team of the Canary Island outfit, who play in the second division in Spain.

Iriome has appeared in only six games, and with regulations in Spain stating an academy graduate cannot sign a contract until he has featured in 10 senior games, Tenerife will make sure the midfielder reaches that figure so they can command a transfer fee at the end of the campaign.

Benitez has tracked Iriome during his progress through the youth ranks, and is confident of capturing the highly-rated teenager ahead of a clutch of other interested clubs.


....doesn't seem like a monster deal in comparison to what our rivals have secured in recent years.

£21m sponsors deal for Reds

Feb 9 2007


EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo



http://images.icnetwork.co. uk/upl/icliverpool/nov2006/6/4/A7B73DE2-B0D9-2DC0-712CA762548C0437.jpg LIVERPOOL are on the verge of sealing their first multi-million pound sponsorship deal of the new American era with a £21.6m agreement with Carlsberg.
The Reds had already decided to renew their arrangement with the brewing giants prior to the takeover of George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
However, the terms are a massive improvement on the disappointing £5m over two years which was agreed in 2004, just before Liverpool won the Champions League final.
The new deal represents £7.2m a year for the next three seasons - virtually trebling Liverpool’s income from this source per annum.

Carlsberg have been Liverpool’s sponsors since 1992, but although the latest deal is the most lucrative between the pair yet, it still doesn’t compare favourably with those of Manchester United and Chelsea.

United are currently in a £56.5m deal with AIG over four years, while Chelsea struck a deal with Samsung worth £50m a year over five years. Spurs’ shirt deal with Mansion House is worth £34m over four years.

Meanwhile, Momo Sissoko returns to Liverpool’s squad at Newcastle tomorrow as Rafa Benitez ponders a midfield reshuffle in the absence of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso must serve a one-match ban, but with Sissoko and Bolo Zenden back in contention, Benitez is hopeful the loss of the playmaker won’t prove too detrimental.

Sissoko hasn’t featured since dislocating his shoulder against Birmingham in the League Cup last November.

“I think Momo will be okay for tomorrow,” said Benitez. “We were hoping to use him in a reserve game on Wednesday night, but unfortunately it was postponed.

“He’s been training normally, although because of the weather it was a bit more difficult to test him in the last few days.”

Skipper Steven Gerrard will be available despite only playing 45 minutes for England as a precaution because of a thigh problem.

[RonnyB]

How much is the Adidas deal worth?

[Philby]

fuckin loads la

[homer jay]

....doesn't seem like a monster deal in comparison to what our rivals have secured in recent years.

£5m over two years is ridiculous. but the new one is still only half what utd got with AIG.

[Philby]

Interesting link - is this genuine interest or just a tool to force the crazy German into accepting a 1 year deal?

Carson is a fine prospect but who knows how he'd perform in a top-class side (be that Liverpool or Arsenal) when powers of concentration & communication are as important as his undoubted shot-stopping skills?

Reina has proven himself at Liverpool imho & is undoubtedly the number 1.

Maybe Rafa will think about cashing in on Carson if Padelli impresses on his loan spell?


Arsenal move for Carson


By Mark Ogden

Last Updated: 2:13am GMT 13/02/2007




http://www.telegraph.co.uk/stylesheets/portal/images/yourview/form.gif Have your say (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETA ILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2007/02/13/sfnars13.xml#form) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/stylesheets/portal/images/yourview/comments.gif Read comments (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETA ILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2007/02/13/sfnars13.xml#comment s)
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Arsenal are preparing a £5 million summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson due to the growing question marks over the future of the club's present No 1, Jens Lehmann.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/graphics/2007/02/13/sfnars13.jpgGunner move: Scott Carson (l) and Thierry Henry could well be playing on the same side
Carson, on a season-long loan at Charlton, faces an uncertain future at Anfield with manager Rafael Benitez unwilling to place the 21-year-old ahead of Jose Reina in the pecking order.
Arsenal are ready to test Liverpool's resolve to hold on to the England squad member, with Lehmann still holding out for a two-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
The Germany goalkeeper has been offered a 12-month extension to his present contract, which expires at the end of the season, but the 37-year-old has so far refused to accept the proposed deal.
The former AC Milan goalkeeper has made more than 170 first-team appearances for Arsenal since being signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2003 as the successor to David Seaman, and he played a key role in the club's run to the Champions League final last season, most notably making a late penalty save from Villarreal's Juan-Roman Riquelme to secure a decisive draw in the semi-final second-leg in Spain.
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Arsenal's reluctance to meet Lehmann's demands for a two-year contract, and manager Arsene Wenger's determination to secure the services of a top-class goalkeeper, have led to Carson being installed at the top of their hitlist.
Carson has impressed at Charlton, but he is understood to be reluctant to return to reserve-team football at Liverpool next season having emerged as arguably the south London club's most impressive performer in their battle against relegation during this campaign.
Benitez's unswerving backing for Reina, plus the January loan signing of young Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Sampdoria - a move which is expected to be made permanent in the summer - has left Carson facing a difficult route into the first team at Anfield, and he is likely to be interested by the prospect of a move to Arsenal in the hope that it might enhance his chances of claiming the England No 1 spot before Euro 2008.
The former Leeds United keeper rejected a move to Chelsea to seal a £750,000 switch to Anfield from Elland Road two years ago, but with Reina, Padelli and Jerzy Dudek already on the books, Liverpool could be tempted to make a huge profit by allowing him to move to the Emirates.
Bolton captain Kevin Nolan is close to agreeing a new four-year contract at the Reebok Stadium, quelling the fears of manager Sam Allardyce that he may opt to move elsewhere in order to break into the England squad.
Nolan said: "I have two years left on my deal, but I'm looking to add a couple of years on to that. That will, hopefully, be done and dusted in the next couple of weeks, so I'm here for the long haul."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETA ILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2007/02/13/sfnars13.xml

[Jim Comic]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155111070225-1309.htm

his international scoring record isn't too impressive :(

[homer jay]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155111070225-1309.htm

his international scoring record isn't too impressive :(

he's not meant to be any great shake at all. only 6 goals in 21 games. a midtable team player at best apparently. is there anyone who watches the bundesliga able to shed any light on him?

[STEVIEG]

can't understand it myself


Doesn't seem to be better than whats there

[Philby]

Having never seen the player live I haven't got much of an opinion on this signing but can only think it's the first step in a reshuffle of Liverpool's forward option which could see the departure of up to 4 strikers from the club. I doubt that this fella is being bought to be a first-choice but at least Liverpool don't spend £30m on their ukranian turkeys!

Here's some youtube footage of Voronin. Some useful play in there but, as ever, anyone can look good on a youtube compilation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQTn-JpV68s

[homer jay]

PSV looking to sign zenden

Zenden began his career at the Philips Stadion before moving on to Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and then Liverpool.

And PSV coach Ronald Koeman admitted: "Zenden is a good player with a lot of experience and we want to increase the amount of Dutch players.

"He has a warm feeling for PSV. We are really looking for these type of guys."

Zenden, though, has played down the possibility of returning to Holland just yet and insists he is happy at Liverpool.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "I had a fantastic time at PSV, but I am not sure I have finished my job abroad to return to the Netherlands."

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1945125 ,00.html

[Philby]

PSV looking to sign zenden

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1945125 ,00.html (http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1945125 ,00.html)


I will slit my wrists if this move goes through. Zenden is truly gifted. You've got to be thinking of £40m+ offer to even tempt Liverpool into discussions?

[Forsberg]

I will slit my wrists if this move goes through. Zenden is truly gifted. You've got to be thinking of £40m+ offer to even tempt Liverpool into discussions?

Maybe they'll get a straight swap for Kromkamp

[homer jay]

Maybe they'll get a straight swap for Kromkamp

zenden + £18m = krompkamp.

it'd be a shrewd bit of business by rafa

[lionelhutz]

Interesting link - is this genuine interest or just a tool to force the crazy German into accepting a 1 year deal?

Carson is a fine prospect but who knows how he'd perform in a top-class side (be that Liverpool or Arsenal) when powers of concentration & communication are as important as his undoubted shot-stopping skills?

Reina has proven himself at Liverpool imho & is undoubtedly the number 1.

Maybe Rafa will think about cashing in on Carson if Padelli impresses on his loan spell?




reina had a nightmare start of the season and has thrown a wobble every now and again after getting back on track. he came and missed three crosses in a row in the space of 3 or 4 minutes against barca last week and if the latter hadn't a bunch of pigmys playin for them they could have scored. from what ive seen of carson this season i wouldn't be too hasty in selling to our closest rivals. id leave carson and reina duke it out to claim no.1 spot next season.

[KolaKubes]

With the marked distinction of the signings of Alonso and Sissoko, I think Rafa's record in the transfer market is pretty shite.

Liverpool's squad still isn't any better than it was in Houllier's time and worse than it was in Evans' time.

Even if they'd stuck to scouse, a liverpool midfield with Nolan, Barton and Gerrard in it would be fearsome. Why wasn't Michael Dawson snapped up from Forest? Or Darren Bent from Ipswich?

Liverpool's success was built around the shrewd and timely acquisition of the best up and coming British talent and the club has lost that in recent years. Not unsurprisingly given the spurious decision to opt for foreign managers.

Arsenal have benefited from Wenger's access to an immense pool of footballing talent, could Liverpool have been said to have enjoyed the same from Houllier or from Benitez?

For me, the signing of Pennant and Bellamy said it all about Benitez. No British manager would touch that troublesome duo with a bargepole. He just doesn't know the British and Irish scene and he seems to be struggling to attract the best Spanish talent to Liverpool - understandably, you might argue.

[RonnyB]

reina had a nightmare start of the season and has thrown a wobble every now and again after getting back on track. he came and missed three crosses in a row in the space of 3 or 4 minutes against barca last week and if the latter hadn't a bunch of pigmys playin for them they could have scored. from what ive seen of carson this season i wouldn't be too hasty in selling to our closest rivals. id leave carson and reina duke it out to claim no.1 spot next season.

From what I've seen of Carson its only a matter of time before he's challenging Robinson & Foster in the England set up. I'd go as far as saying he's been better than Foster this year. Liverpool would be foolish to get rid so soon.

[Sound]

With the marked distinction of the signings of Alonso and Sissoko, I think Rafa's record in the transfer market is pretty shite.

Liverpool's squad still isn't any better than it was in Houllier's time and worse than it was in Evans' time.

Even if they'd stuck to scouse, a liverpool midfield with Nolan, Barton and Gerrard in it would be fearsome. Why wasn't Michael Dawson snapped up from Forest? Or Darren Bent from Ipswich?

Liverpool's success was built around the shrewd and timely acquisition of the best up and coming British talent and the club has lost that in recent years. Not unsurprisingly given the spurious decision to opt for foreign managers.

Arsenal have benefited from Wenger's access to an immense pool of footballing talent, could Liverpool have been said to have enjoyed the same from Houllier or from Benitez?

For me, the signing of Pennant and Bellamy said it all about Benitez. No British manager would touch that troublesome duo with a bargepole. He just doesn't know the British and Irish scene and he seems to be struggling to attract the best Spanish talent to Liverpool - understandably, you might argue.

Agger? Kuyt?

Spurs seem to be hoovering up all the British young un's which is worrying and the academy hasn't been producing 1st teamers of late.

Signing the bovver boys was a case of cutting your cloth. Pennant was Rafa's third choice. He also wanted Kuyt instead of Crouch but the bank manager said different.

Struggling for Spanish talent? That seems harsh. Gonzalez was electric in La Liga last season and he came. The jury is still very much out but the signs are there. He's also signed a raft of kids but we've no idea whether they'll be more Houllier than Wenger yet.

[lionelhutz]

With the marked distinction of the signings of Alonso and Sissoko, I think Rafa's record in the transfer market is pretty shite.

Liverpool's squad still isn't any better than it was in Houllier's time and worse than it was in Evans' time.

Even if they'd stuck to scouse, a liverpool midfield with Nolan, Barton and Gerrard in it would be fearsome. Why wasn't Michael Dawson snapped up from Forest? Or Darren Bent from Ipswich?

Liverpool's success was built around the shrewd and timely acquisition of the best up and coming British talent and the club has lost that in recent years. Not unsurprisingly given the spurious decision to opt for foreign managers.

Arsenal have benefited from Wenger's access to an immense pool of footballing talent, could Liverpool have been said to have enjoyed the same from Houllier or from Benitez?

For me, the signing of Pennant and Bellamy said it all about Benitez. No British manager would touch that troublesome duo with a bargepole. He just doesn't know the British and Irish scene and he seems to be struggling to attract the best Spanish talent to Liverpool - understandably, you might argue.


mensa me hole. atta boy dan...

[Philby]

With the marked distinction of the signings of Alonso and Sissoko, I think Rafa's record in the transfer market is pretty shite.

Liverpool's squad still isn't any better than it was in Houllier's time and worse than it was in Evans' time.

Even if they'd stuck to scouse, a liverpool midfield with Nolan, Barton and Gerrard in it would be fearsome. Why wasn't Michael Dawson snapped up from Forest? Or Darren Bent from Ipswich?

Liverpool's success was built around the shrewd and timely acquisition of the best up and coming British talent and the club has lost that in recent years. Not unsurprisingly given the spurious decision to opt for foreign managers.

Arsenal have benefited from Wenger's access to an immense pool of footballing talent, could Liverpool have been said to have enjoyed the same from Houllier or from Benitez?

For me, the signing of Pennant and Bellamy said it all about Benitez. No British manager would touch that troublesome duo with a bargepole. He just doesn't know the British and Irish scene and he seems to be struggling to attract the best Spanish talent to Liverpool - understandably, you might argue.

On a high level my view is that no manager is flawless in the transfer market. Managers make bad calls on players. Players look good on paper but fail to deliver for a variety of reasons.

In balance, I think Rafa has done perfectly fine in the transfer market.

Due to budget constraints he wasn't able to go for his first target in many instances (alves & simao were higher up his list than pennant but a deal couldn't be brokered for either for example) and was forced to go for his 2nd, 3rd and sometimes 4th options.

He has made a few questionable purchases (zenden, josemi, nunez, pellegrino) but these have been mainly to fatten the squad & generally have been for very small amounts.

By and large when he has been allowed to spend any reasonable amount of money he has more often than not got it right. Sissoko, Alonso, Garcia, Agger, Reina, Crouch & Kuyt have all been successful buys to different degrees.

Bellamy & Pennant didn't come with the best reputations but, with the money available, they were as good as you could hope for. Bellamy in particular has looked a useful acquisition given the modest initial outlay on his transfer.

How many players has Rafa sold that have come back to haunt him or would even get into the team now? Not a single one. Diouf underperformed for Rafa & Houllier and the club were well rid of that shady character. Morientes looked a great buy on paper but despite Rafa's faith in him he simply couldn't adapt to English football. To the manager's credit he recognised this and shipped him on at an acceptable loss. His recent upturn in form in La Liga should not cloud the fact that he simply was never going to be a success in English football.

You are trying to say Rafa should've went with Nolan-Barton-Gerrard?

Any 3 of Sissoko-Alonso-Gerrard-Mascherano are a better trio than the above imho

Liverpool's success was built around the shrewd and timely acquisition of the best up and coming British talent and the club has lost that in recent years. Not unsurprisingly given the spurious decision to opt for foreign managers.

Please tell me which British manager Liverpool could've attracted to the club post-Houllier who was in Benitez's league?

Why wasn't Michael Dawson snapped up from Forest?

Dawson was scouted in depth by Liverpool but they chose not to pay the £4m Spurs were willing to pay. They waited their time and got a player, Daniel Agger, who is a year younger, more experienced & an all-round better player.

Or Darren Bent from Ipswich?

Would Bent even get in Liverpool's first team now not to mind when he left Ipswich as a 21 year old with no premiership experience?

If Liverpool had bought him he'd be subject to the usual jibes of it being an unambituous Liverpool signing (as crouch, pennant & bellamy were derided as) and you know it.

In any event, the real test of Rafa's transfer market nous (which is only a small element of why he's such a great manager) will come in the summer when larger sums are made available to him.

[KolaKubes]

Yes, I think Liverpool would be closer a Premiership challenge with a trio of Gerrard, Nolan and Barton. Have a think about that again and the level of performance the latter two manage in the Premiership week in week out.

That's not really the crux of my point though, I'm arguing that a manager is only really as good as his worst signings over a period. Ferguson was equally as culpable when he signed Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba as he was when he signed the more notable flop that was Veron, for example.

I'm arguing this with ye Liverpool lads not just on here with over a year but with Pool fans since the days of Evans. Liverpool's problems invariably arise from simply not having good enough first XI's. Take your strikers, all of them would be valuable additions to your main competitors' squads but none of them would displace the first choice incumbents.

As will no doubt be proven on Saturday, there's not that much between Utd and Liverpool but the cumulative effect of that little bit of extra quality Utd have is felt over the course of a season and you end up in that situation by avoiding wasting time and money on the likes of Pennant and Bellamy.

Even Liverpool's reserve team which I saw play Utd last year, very disturbing stuff. Plenty of discipline and organisation but apart from a few defenders, very little in the way of outstanding prospects. I feel that the winning formula Liverpool had (in terms of the league) was salvageable up until ye went with foreign managers with whom the crowd clearly had little patience. Now with the ownership having gone West, I think ye will have to come up with something new but I reckon Spurs if they can find a Carrick replacement will come again if they stick to their guns on buying British. It's hard though, granted, look at the ludicrous price Bale is fetching and the lifestyles of many young British players naturally has managers scurrying for more civilised types such as Scandinavians and French.

[Philby]

I fundamentally disagree with pretty much all of your last two posts I have to say lad. Much of it is a load of pointless rambling & I'm not really sure which of the following points your trying to make or how they are linked.

- Liverpool should buy more british players
- Liverpool shouldn't have bought pennant & bellamy (2 british players)
- Nolan and Barton are better than Alonso & Sissoko (despite the fact that the latter two have been revelations in English football)
- A manager is only really as good as his worst signings over a period

Yes, I think Liverpool would be closer a Premiership challenge with a trio of Gerrard, Nolan and Barton. Have a think about that again and the level of performance the latter two manage in the Premiership week in week out.

I simply don't buy this. Alonso and Sissoko are world class midfielders. Nolan and Barton are not. They have 1 international cap between them. I think anyone who would swap Alonso and Sissoko for Nolan and Barton would need their head examined.

That's not really the crux of my point though, I'm arguing that a manager is only really as good as his worst signings over a period.

No. I don't agree with this. A manager's transfer record should be judged on the cumulative success of his signings and not just the depth that his worst sink to. Does the signing of Franny Jeffers invalidate the excellent signings of Anelka & Vieira for example?

I'm arguing this with ye Liverpool lads not just on here with over a year but with Pool fans since the days of Evans. Liverpool's problems invariably arise from simply not having good enough first XI's. Take your strikers, all of them would be valuable additions to your main competitors' squads but none of them would displace the first choice incumbents.

Quite possibly (although I think Kuyt would get his fair share of games at Arsenal & United) but football is not entirely about strikers. Liverpool's strikers are arguably their weakest position but are well fixed in other areas. On balance I don't think Liverpool have any major problems in their squad. A bit more muscle in the transfer market would be helpful though.

As will no doubt be proven on Saturday, there's not that much between Utd and Liverpool but the cumulative effect of that little bit of extra quality Utd have is felt over the course of a season and you end up in that situation by avoiding wasting time and money on the likes of Pennant and Bellamy.

And go for Bent and Dawson instead? BTW Bellamy has done quite well so far at Liverpool but I guess that doesn't suit your agenda.

Also, Liverpool simply have not had access to the amount of money that United & Chelsea have had access to in recent times. This is why they've had to go for their 2nd & 3rd options at times and take a punt on certain players. It's not like Liverpool had £50m burning a hole in their pocket but decided that they should go for Pennant & Bellamy ahead of Alves & Villa (for example). Do you realise the gulf in finances in recent times?

Even Liverpool's reserve team which I saw play Utd last year, very disturbing stuff. Plenty of discipline and organisation but apart from a few defenders, very little in the way of outstanding prospects. I feel that the winning formula Liverpool had (in terms of the league) was salvageable up until ye went with foreign managers with whom the crowd clearly had little patience. Now with the ownership having gone West, I think ye will have to come up with something new but I reckon Spurs if they can find a Carrick replacement will come again if they stick to their guns on buying British. It's hard though, granted, look at the ludicrous price Bale is fetching and the lifestyles of many young British players naturally has managers scurrying for more civilised types such as Scandinavians and French.

Liverpool fans have had a huge amount of time & patience with the last two "foreign managers". It was only right at the end that the majority of fans wanted Houllier to leave & even then he was held in great affection buy most right-thinking fans who admired his achievement & commitment to the club.

Where do Spurs come into this? Do you really think they will usurp Liverpool in the coming years? I don't think they have a chance in hell & considering their league position they are no valid example of the way Liverpool should progress

[KolaKubes]

I fundamentally disagree with pretty much all of your last two posts I have to say lad. Much of it is a load of pointless rambling & I'm not really sure which of the following points your trying to make or how they are linked.

- Liverpool should buy more british players
- Liverpool shouldn't have bought pennant & bellamy (2 british players)
- Nolan and Barton are better than Alonso & Sissoko (despite the fact that the latter two have been revelations in English football)
- A manager is only really as good as his worst signings over a period



I simply don't buy this. Alonso and Sissoko are world class midfielders. Nolan and Barton are not. They have 1 international cap between them. I think anyone who would swap Alonso and Sissoko for Nolan and Barton would need their head examined.



No. I don't agree with this. A manager's transfer record should be judged on the cumulative success of his signings and not just the depth that his worst sink to. Does the signing of Franny Jeffers invalidate the excellent signings of Anelka & Vieira for example?



Quite possibly (although I think Kuyt would get his fair share of games at Arsenal & United) but football is not entirely about strikers. Liverpool's strikers are arguably their weakest position but are well fixed in other areas. On balance I don't think Liverpool have any major problems in their squad. A bit more muscle in the transfer market would be helpful though.



And go for Bent and Dawson instead? BTW Bellamy has done quite well so far at Liverpool but I guess that doesn't suit your agenda.

Also, Liverpool simply have not had access to the amount of money that United & Chelsea have had access to in recent times. This is why they've had to go for their 2nd & 3rd options at times and take a punt on certain players. It's not like Liverpool had £50m burning a hole in their pocket but decided that they should go for Pennant & Bellamy ahead of Alves & Villa (for example). Do you realise the gulf in finances in recent times?



Liverpool fans have had a huge amount of time & patience with the last two "foreign managers". It was only right at the end that the majority of fans wanted Houllier to leave & even then he was held in great affection buy most right-thinking fans who admired his achievement & commitment to the club.

Where do Spurs come into this? Do you really think they will usurp Liverpool in the coming years? I don't think they have a chance in hell & considering their league position they are no valid example of the way Liverpool should progress

If you're going to be tossing around phrases like "pointless rambling" don't bother dissecting my posts perhaps?

For starters, Liverpool should buy more British players, yes, with that, I'm suggesting they avoid buying troublemaking tossers like Pennant and Bellamy. There's no contradiction, how about buying good solid British players or at least failing that, go for tossers who are actually worth the bother?

There was a brief "debate" amongst Utd fans about how we'd "missed out" on Bellamy, the rapidly emerging consensus was that he would have had precisely the experience he's had at Liverpool thus far. His questionable merits as a footballer aside, he's a clown of the highest order and someone no manager in their right mind would have gone near. Pennant's talents aren't even questionable. Appalling signing.

Again, Alonso is a very good player. Sissoko is a good player with potential. I'm saying that Barton and Nolan are both consistent performers with a good aggressive attitude, they're both scousers and would probably give that bit extra playing for a hometown club, especially on derby days. It's a subjective argument, guess what, you're perfectly entitled to disagree with me on it without saying I need my "head examined". Fuck sake, ye blather on incessantly about how great Carragher is and if those two wouldn't offer the same heady blend of limited talent and pure heart, I'm a monkey's uncle.

Again, citing Jeffers, worst signingS. Signings Phil. And you're again missing my point and reading what you want to read in my posts [probably something along lines of "ManYoo agenda"]. A manager undermines all his work in developing his squad when he makes even a handful of poor signings. I've seen this first hand over the past 5 years at Utd. We still, at our best, had as good a first XI as anyone for much of that period but a couple of injuries and it was fuckwits like Djemba-Djemba or Roy Carroll into the fray. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, if you've played any sort of team sport, you'll surely grasp that point.


Kuyt has done nothing to suggest he'd get a sniff at Utd, we have Saha on the bench after all. I picked the weakest part of your squad, granted, with the strikers, but I could equally have a pop at your ropey keeper, your average full backs, your poor wingers. Personally, I've spent the season with fingers and toes crossed because I'm appalled at Utd's strength in depth in centre mid. Best I can gather, some Liverpool fans don't seem the slightest bit bothered that your squad is so decidedly average in so many areas.

It leads me to conclude that its so long since you last saw a title winning side up close that you've forgotten what it requires. Hence the gloriously off the wall prediction every summer of "this is going to be our year". Guess what chaps, this was your year. Look at that Utd side with all its failings and tell me that couldn't be you?

As for the bland pot about "money". We made a net profit on transfers going into this season and most of our top performers this season costs less than Pennant. Jog on.

[lionelhutz]

I've seen this first hand over the past 5 years at Utd. We still, at our best, had as good a first XI as anyone for much of that period but a couple of injuries and it was fuckwits like Djemba-Djemba or Roy Carroll into the fray. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, if you've played any sort of team sport, you'll surely grasp that point.



heh heh heh. you are a funny boy tom. first hand? what are you, chairman of the board. oh youre a gas man

[KolaKubes]

heh heh heh. you are a funny boy tom. first hand? what are you, chairman of the board. oh youre a gas man

Charity response to a boring point. :rolleyes:

[lionelhutz]

Charity response to a boring point. :rolleyes:

you call me boring. thats not unsurprising mensa boy. hows the professional footie career going?

[Philby]

There was a brief "debate" amongst Utd fans about how we'd "missed out" on Bellamy, the rapidly emerging consensus was that he would have had precisely the experience he's had at Liverpool thus far. His questionable merits as a footballer aside, he's a clown of the highest order and someone no manager in their right mind would have gone near. Pennant's talents aren't even questionable. Appalling signing.


Bellamy has done quite well on the pitch for Liverpool so far. The only black mark is the recent events in Portugal where independant verification of what happened has yet to surface. The fact is no-one knows. Even it is was as bad as it was reported he has taken his punishment, been forgiven by teammates & has started to repay Rafa's faith by playing a big part in a great win over Barcelona.

Also to criticise the signings of Bellamy & Pennant on the ground of discipline and then advocate the signing of Joey Barton is a serious contradiction.

A manager undermines all his work in developing his squad when he makes even a handful of poor signings.


Don't agree necessarilly. It depends largely on a few factors.

- how much you spend on these poor signings
- how much pitch-time you give these poor signings
- which players you ship out, play out of position or limit game-time to accomodate these poor signings

If you examine Benitez's poorer signings (e.g.zenden, josemi, nunez, pellegrino) along these lines you'll see that these haven't had a material impact on the progress of his team. In contrast shelling out ~£26m on a midfielder which causes you to play your top performer out of position would have a far greater impact than having a few dud players floating around the squad.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, if you've played any sort of team sport, you'll surely grasp that point.


That's true for a chain. Not so true for a football team. Were the Napoli & Argentina teams as good as their weakest link or did the presence of Maradona, along with a team of supporting players?

True, if you swamp your first team with poor signings you'll feel the effects. If however, like Benitez, you get things largely right with the larger money, key players and are a bit hit & miss with the punts you take for 0-£2m then you won't go far wrong...and he hasn't.

Kuyt has done nothing to suggest he'd get a sniff at Utd, we have Saha on the bench after all.


So by not addressing whether he'd get a game at Arsenal you now agree that Liverpool have a striker who would make his presence felt at a rival of Liverpool?

Whether he'd get a look-in at United is a matter of opinion. Personally I think Ferguson would find him to be a useful option but we'll probably not agree on that & there's little either of us can do to change eachother's mind.

re: Saha - he has been a regular starter for the past 1.5 yrs. It was only injury that allowed Larsson to usurp him in recent weeks but to hint that Saha can't make an impact on the first team so therefore Kuyt wouldn't be able to isn't a valid argument.

your ropey keeper


You're miles off on this one. Reina is a fine young keeper who has largely been a revelation at Liverpool so far & is largely regarded as the best keeper Liverpool have had since Clemence.

Last season he broke the club record for consecutive clean sheets in the league as well as the club record for number of goals conceded by a 'keeper in their first fifty games (despite being in a side that finished 3rd and not miles clear of the rest like many of Liverpool's previous keepers).

This season, despite a small spell of poor form earlier in the season, no keeper has conceded less goals.

Please don't go down the "that's only because of Liverpool's great defence" road - you've already criticised 3/4 of Liverpool back 4 in this thread and regardless of how good a defence is it'll still need a daycent keeper to replicate the stats that Reina has at Liverpool.

Ropey he is not.

your average full backs


There isn't a better right back in the league than Finnan. There may be a few that are neck & neck with him but he is so far from average it's not funny.

Riise I have some reservations about but despite being in an extended period of poor form he has more than proved his class & versatility in the past.

your poor wingers


I wouldn't call any of Pennant, Gonzalez, Garcia or Kewell poor but granted Liverpool could do with splashing the cash in this area in the summer.

As for the bland pot about "money". We made a net profit on transfers going into this season and most of our top performers this season costs less than Pennant. Jog on.


Errrr, #1 - Without checking I'd imagine that Ronaldo is topping your goalscoring & assists chart for the year. He cost over £12m as an 18 year old. Combine that with the fee paid for Rooney & you've probably got as much as Liverpool have spent on "young" players in the last 8 years!!

#2 - Restricting analysis of relative spending to only the "top performers this season" is simplistic to the point of being pointless. United have considerably outspent Liverpool in the last 10 years.

[ho chi feen]

I wouldn't call any of Pennant, Gonzalez, Garcia or Kewell poor but granted Liverpool could do with splashing the cash in this area in the summer.

Philby, it's 2007, and you're still defending Harry "can't be arsed" Kewell? Come on...

[KolaKubes]

Ya, yerra, there is no point me getting into this argument Philby, I've been having it with Liverpool fans since the mid-90s and funnily enough neither seem to budge in how they rate each other's players!

To sum up, mind, I would say Liverpool have better strength in depth than Utd in a few key positions but centre-mid aside I think your first XI just isn't up to the standard of their Utd equivalent. There's not glaring differences but it's just a bit of an edge here and there. You can go on about Riise and Finnan but I'd say most neutrals would opt for Neville and Evra ahead of them. Ditto Carragher and Agger versus Ferdinand and Vidic.

Myself, I think VDS is no better than solid but that still makes him better than Reina in my book.

[STEVIEG]

centre-mid aside

Too right
United could have done with Macsherano and Sissouko (sp) tonight thats for sure

[Philby]

I don't know why I took the time to put together my reply above if you're going to come back with "Ya, yerra, there is no point me getting into this argument".

Every time I reply I address the points you made & give me viewpoint on them.

Every time you reply you either change the focus of the discussion or say you've had this discussion many times & it's pointless.

At no point did I say that the Liverpool first XI is as good, or better, than the United first XI btw.

And to throw the cat amongst the pigeons I rate VDS highly & think, bar a few dodgy decisions & kicks, he's a really top keeper.

[Philby]

Philby, it's 2007, and you're still defending Harry "can't be arsed" Kewell? Come on...

Kewell hasn't played to his potential consistently for Liverpool for various reasons. To call him a poor player is wide of the mark imho. He has tons of ability.

[KolaKubes]

I don't know why I took the time to put together my reply above if you're going to come back with "Ya, yerra, there is no point me getting into this argument".

Every time I reply I address the points you made & give me viewpoint on them.

Every time you reply you either change the focus of the discussion or say you've had this discussion many times & it's pointless.

At no point did I say that the Liverpool first XI is as good, or better, than the United first XI btw.

And to throw the cat amongst the pigeons I rate VDS highly & think, bar a few dodgy decisions & kicks, he's a really top keeper.

But sure I read your arguments and we're miles apart, let's not be wasting our time on this one.

You're making points like us spending more than you over the last 10 years. Most of the discrepancy is accounted for by the fees for Ferdinand, Veron and Rooney and we've made some big sales like Beckham, Veron and RVN over the same period. What was your excuse before then and what's your excuse since you lot won the EC in 2005? We have a net transfer spend in the black since then and yet we're how many points clear.

[Philby]

I honestly don't have the inclination to go off and talk about this in detail again only to be greeted with an "erra, I don't agree so lets just drop it".

[ho chi feen]

Kewell hasn't played to his potential consistently for Liverpool for various reasons. To call him a poor player is wide of the mark imho. He has tons of ability.

I think after 4 years, and let's not forget he was gash for most of his last 2 years with Leeds, it's perfectly fair to say that, whatever the reasons, he is a poor player who adds nothing to your chances, and has failed to deliver on his potential and reputation in the most spectacular fashion.

[ho chi feen]

Too right
United could have done with Macsherano and Sissouko (sp) tonight thats for sure

I'd love to have Mascherano. He has it all- though I'm not sure rotation at Pool will be the best to further him. He'd be first XI material almost anywhere, but they are very strong in that area.

[lionelhutz]

I'd love to have Mascherano. He has it all- though I'm not sure rotation at Pool will be the best to further him. He'd be first XI material almost anywhere, but they are very strong in that area.

i think it would be worth trying sissoko centre half with mascherano gerrard and alonso in the middle and see how they get on. it would be trying to fit similar players to suit a system but wegner has done it before. a champs league place isn't really at risk. we've needed a replacement for hyppia for a while, someone that could head a fighter jet and i think with a bit of coaching sissoko could do it. at least it might bring more competition to centre half position. i think agger is promising but has a way to go yet.

[Sound]

Ya, yerra, there is no point me getting into this argument Philby, I've been having it with Liverpool fans since the mid-90s and funnily enough neither seem to budge in how they rate each other's players!

To sum up, mind, I would say Liverpool have better strength in depth than Utd in a few key positions but centre-mid aside I think your first XI just isn't up to the standard of their Utd equivalent. There's not glaring differences but it's just a bit of an edge here and there. You can go on about Riise and Finnan but I'd say most neutrals would opt for Neville and Evra ahead of them. Ditto Carragher and Agger versus Ferdinand and Vidic.

Myself, I think VDS is no better than solid but that still makes him better than Reina in my book.

Utd's first 11 is better but not in the areas you suggest here IMO. The difference is up-front and out wide.

[Lamps]

Eto on his way to liverpool according to the Mirror and Sun.

[homer jay]

Eto on his way to liverpool according to the Mirror and Sun.

this one's been doing the rounds for a while now, but it's pure speculation (sure what isn't with this kind of thing). they're just putting 2 and 2 together and getting 10.

benitez tried to sign him when he was leaving mallorca, but barca got him in the end. so it's fair to say benitez would like to have him. the rumours about villa a bit stronger tho, and i can't see the both of them ending up at anfield in the summer. if i were a betting man, i'd put my money on villa at the minute. but it's unclear how much money benitez has to shell out in the summer as you'd be talking ridiculous money for either player. time will tell.

[Philby]

Eto on his way to liverpool according to the Mirror and Sun.

This is on the money, Eto'o will be in Liverpool next Tuesday - FACT

I won't even mention that other rag but this is the article from the Mirror. Pretty poor article and reads like the reporter just connected a few vague dots & came up with this story

Liverpool have money + Benitez is Spanish + Eto'o has fallen out with Rijkaard = Eto'o will sign for Liverpool.

It'd be an amazing coup for Liverpool but I don't see it happening myself (although Rafa does rate Eto'o and tried to sign him while at Valencia)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_headline=liverpoo l-ready-to-kop-eto%2Do%26method=ful l%26objectid=1868543 6%26siteid=89520-name_page.html

Also Iaquinta was a bit of donkey from what I can remember of the world cup....can anyone shed any more light on this fella?

[homer jay]

This is on the money, Eto'o will be in Liverpool next Tuesday - FACT

will he be wearing the white suit again tho is the big question :)

[homer jay]

MLS move on cards for Fowler

New England Revolution coach Steve Nicol has claimed he has held talks with Liverpool's Robbie Fowler about a move to Major League Soccer.

Fowler's contract at Anfield expires in the summer and with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez still pursuing another striker after agreeing a deal to sign Andriy Voronin from Bayer Leverkusen, the 31-year-old appears unlikely to be offered a new deal.

There have been suggestions that Fowler could seek a fresh start by following David Beckham to MLS, where he could join up with the man he played alongside for the Reds in the early 1990s.

"We'd be interested in Robbie," said Nicol. "But at the moment the first thing is the financial side.

"We've spoken, but as of yet there's nothing been settled. He's really just dipping his foot in the water here. It's something he's thinking about.

"He's getting his ducks in a row. Whether he gets a contract at Liverpool or whether he moves on, he's dipping his foot in the water."

The Revolution have been one of the most consistent teams in MLS in recent seasons, reaching the MLS Cup final in each of the last two seasons, only to suffer defeats at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2005 and the Houston Dynamo last season.

However, with the departure of key man Clint Dempsey to Fulham in January, Nicol knows there is a need to rebuild, and he has some money from the Dempsey deal to invest in wages.

Nicol - who fended off a US $1million offer from Celtic for midfielder Shalrie Joseph this winter - is in a strong position to make an impact signing using the designated player slot, the mechanism which allowed the Galaxy to sign Beckham to a contract which could be worth up to US $250million in salary and endorsements over five years.

"Through the sale of Clint we have some money available," he said. "But the problem we have is that, because of the type of money David Beckham has got, a lot of people think everybody has that kind of money which is not the case.

"At the present time speaking to some people we're pretty much miles apart in terms of the financial side. We're certainly interested in getting somebody in, but we're not going to do anything stupid.

"We're not going to sling ridiculous amounts of money at just anybody. We need to find a player who is going to come in and be a leader, show some of the young guys what it's about, and be able to do something on the field. If we do get someone in we're going to be looking for quite a lot from them."

Meanwhile, Nicol has watched with interest from afar as Liverpool were taken over by American investors this year.

Nicol admitted he was not familiar with the businessmen involved - Tom Hicks and George Gillett - "they don't drink in my local" he said of the men who live in Texas and Colorado respectively.

However, he believes the club will benefit as they attempt to close the gap on Manchester United and Chelsea.

"For the good of the club it had to be done," he said. "David Moores I know very well has only one interest apart from his missus and his kid and that is Liverpool football club.

"He obviously saw that what he can put in is not enough for them to be challenging at the top and that's what he wants. He's done what he's done for the good of the club."

With further investment in the transfer market, Nicol now believes Liverpool are close to challenging for their first Premiership title.

"I think they're probably three, maybe four, players away," he said.

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_1949417 ,00.html

[Forsberg]

"I think they're probably three, maybe four, players away," he said.

Hasn't this been the case for the last 15 years?

[STEVIEG]

Heh heh
Watford are only 11 players away

[RonnyB]

Heh heh
Watford are only 11 players away

Stevie lets hope they are only 10. They have a certain keeper that we hope will be part of title winning teams in the next 10 years.

[STEVIEG]

Yup, thankfully he is not belong to them

[KolaKubes]

Stevie lets hope they are only 10. They have a certain keeper that we hope will be part of title winning teams in the next 10 years.

Ditto that, they are only 10 players away from a top class team.

[RonnyB]

Ditto that, they are only 10 players away from a top class team.

To be honest Kola I think you may have been on the ball with regards to our keeping situation for next year. In all honesty even though he's been a fantastic keeper, VDS for me isn't as solid as he has been in the past for United. Maybe Foster coming back is the best thing for all parties. He's showing this year he's up to the standard of the prem he wont be happy on the bench. The might spur on all 3 keepers if Fergie has any doutbs to whose number 1 showing us the best of all 3 & I include Kuszczak because I've been impressed from what I've seen of him so far.

Sorry to the Pool fans for a United related post in ye're thread.

[homer jay]

Sorry to the Pool fans for a United related post in ye're thread.

2 posts is all it took, a new record i believe. are yis not happy with the countless other threads kola has created?

[RonnyB]

2 posts is all it took, a new record i believe. are yis not happy with the countless other threads kola has created?

I'm never happy.

[KolaKubes]

To be honest Kola I think you may have been on the ball with regards to our keeping situation for next year. In all honesty even though he's been a fantastic keeper, VDS for me isn't as solid as he has been in the past for United. Maybe Foster coming back is the best thing for all parties. He's showing this year he's up to the standard of the prem he wont be happy on the bench. The might spur on all 3 keepers if Fergie has any doutbs to whose number 1 showing us the best of all 3 & I include Kuszczak because I've been impressed from what I've seen of him so far.

Sorry to the Pool fans for a United related post in ye're thread.

I'm always right even when I should be wrong. Remember that. ;)

2 posts is all it took, a new record i believe. are yis not happy with the countless other threads kola has created?

Now now, we're moving on Kerry boy.

[homer jay]

Now now, we're moving on Kerry boy.

i'm not from kerry

[chipsncheese]

anyone going over to man yoo game this wknd????

[Philby]

Another young Spaniard on the way? This site isn't the most reliable though

Liverpool win race for Arsenal & Real target http://www.fansfc.com/images/spacer.gif
12:12 March, 1, 2007
Liverpool have won the race for Malaga's Pedro Alcala, according to reports.
http://www.fansfc.com/images/spacer.gif

http://www.fansfc.com/images/spacer.gif
Liverpool scout Paco de Gracia has been instrumental in helping the Reds capture the 18-year-old centre back.

Real Madrid were reluctant to pay compensation to Malaga, so have missed out.

Also, only Malaga and Liverpool were ready to offer Alcala professional terms, which narrowed down his options further.

Arsenal have been watching the player for some time, but have not matched Liverpool's offer.

http://www.fansfc.com/frontpage/frontpagenews.asp?ne wsid=163373

[Sound]

Liverpool youth scouts should just follow the Arsenal scouts around.

[chipsncheese]

anyone going over to man yoo game this wknd????


well,ill be off now in awhile.

ill be in the albert b4 hand if anyone is over for it on sat

[STEVIEG]

well,ill be off now in awhile.

ill be in the albert b4 hand if anyone is over for it on sat

I'll be in Liverpool on Tuesday ahead of the United game on Wednesday any tickets flying around for the Barca game?

[chipsncheese]

I'll be in Liverpool on Tuesday ahead of the United game on Wednesday any tickets flying around for the Barca game?


doubt it stevie.
go up to bars around ground on tues and suss it out.u might be lucky

[STEVIEG]

doubt it stevie.
go up to bars around ground on tues and suss it out.u might be lucky

nah im only messing im not gonna bother a fan of the home team would be more deserving anyway i've just decided to stay in Manchester Tuesday night now so ill watch that on the box should be a good game-enjoy Saturday (but not too much:))

[Jim Comic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/ross_county/6419773.stm

[Philby]

This Raul rumour persists, thankfully it's from Tribal who are a dodgy source to way the least.

Real Madrid's Raul closer to Liverpool move
tribalfooball.com - April 07, 2007
http://www.tribalfootball.c om/images2/spacer.gif
Liverpool are ready to move for Real Madrid captain Raul.

The News of the World says Rafael Benitez has been tipped off Real's skipper will be sold at a cut-price £5million at the end of the season.
And the Kop boss is in pole position to snap up the striker, who has been revered by Bernabeu fans for the last seven years.
A Madrid source revealed: "Real president Ramon Calderon is starting to think it is time to overhaul the squad and bring in younger and fresher players." Raul's agent, Gines Carvajal, declared: "If he leaves Real his destination would be easy to choose. It would be England."

I can see both Spanish giants being interested in Villa which may hike up the price considerably if Liverpool or Chelsea are seriously intent on buying him


Rumour: Chelsea and Liverpool target to stay in Spain?

Chelsea and Liverpool could be set to miss out on Valencia striker David Villa after news that Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are both preparing bids for the talented striker.

Both Chelsea and Liverpool are keen to land the Spanish International however it is believed that should the striker leave Valencia he would prefer to stay in his native Spain, which puts Real Madrid and Barcelona firmly in the driving seat.

Villa has been in fine form for Valencia this season, scoring 16 goals in 37 appearances. His form has seen him linked with top clubs from all around Europe and he is fast becoming one of the games hottest properties.

http://talkingsoccer.blogsp ot.com/2007/04/rumour-chelsea-and-liverpool-target-to.html

The Tevez rumour is gathering pace, he's a fine player but I'm not sure he's the right player for Liverpool at this point in time. He works in similar areas of the pitch to Dirk Kuyt, perhaps a speedy finisher who plays on the shoulder of the last defender is a better bet?

Transfer speculation: Carlos Tevez to Liverpool (5m)

Tevez’s sensational move to Upton Park, along with his recen
tly departed compatriot Javier Mascherano (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #), is surrounded in mystery but there’s no mystery to where his heart lies at the moment. He has single handily dragged The Hammers (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #) back from the dead to give them real hope in beating the drop and has become an East End legend. His powerhouse displays though have not gone unnoticed by those in the game and it’s rumoured that Rafa Benitez is ready to swoop and team up Tevez and Mascherano once again at Liverpool.
Carlos Tevez is one of the game’s most talked about youngsters and the Argentinean has been labelled the “new Diego Maradona”. It took the former Boca Juniors striker a few months to find his feet in the Premiership but his effort and commitment to the cause were never doubted. In many people’s eyes he was the only West Ham player who looked like they cared about the club as they went on a terrible run of form. He scored his first goal (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #) for the Hammers against rivals Tottenham in a seven-goal thriller and has since gone on to add a further two to his name as the East London club has put a run of three wins together.
Liverpool have had a long list of acclaimed strikers but they haven’t had a proven 20+ goalscorer since Michael Owen left for Real Madrid. Fernando Morientes, Milan Baros, Craig Bellamy (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #), Peter Crouch (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #) and Dirk Kuyt (http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423 #) have all failed to fill his boots and with the money available to Rafa following the takeover, a move for a top class, clinical striker is looking likely. Crouch, Kuyt and Bellamy are great players but they just don’t have that consistent, killer instinct in front of goal. Crouch has been linked with a move away from Anfield, as has Bellamy, but is Tevez the right man to replace them?
Tevez is not an out-and-out striker. He loves to come deep, get wide and run at defenders. He is an exciting talent, loves to be involved and knows where the goal is, but he is not a predator. If Liverpool are serious about making a sustained challenge for the Premiership title they need a predator. That threat would be more likely to come from someone like Barcelona’s Samuel Eto.
The Argentine international has allegedly claimed that he is at West Ham for the long-term and Hammers’ fans are petitioning for the club to sign the ace outright. But if the Irons were to fall through the trap door it would certainly signal his end at Upton Park.
There’s no doubt that Tevez would be a success at any club but with the Hammers putting up a late fight for their survival whose to say that he won’t be playing in the Premiership with West Ham next season?

Colin Illingworth

http://www.squarefootball.n et/article/transfer.asp?tid=423

[Philby]

Liverpool in hunt for Spanish wonder kid

23rd April 2007
By Staff Writer

Liverpool and Manchester United are battling it out to sign Spanish wonder kid Juan Manuel Mata Garcia Mata according to reports over the weekend.
The Daily Star claims both clubs are interested in signing the 18 year striker who is considered to be one of the hottest young properties in Spanish football.
Mata was recently promoted to Real Madrid's first team squad but has become frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities causing speculation that he is set to move away from the Spanish giants this summer.

[Philby]

Reds Pondering Simao Swoop 23/04/07

Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa remains a potential target for Liverpool.
The Benfica man has long been linked with a move to Anfield, with Rafa Benitez coming closest to getting his man in the summer of 2005.
On that occasion the 27-year-old's club pulled the plug after he had passed his medical, and Benitez switched his attention elsewhere.
However Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has now revealed Simao remains very much in the Spaniard's thoughts as he plans for next season.
Parry told Portuguese daily O Jogo: "Simao is certainly not forgotten."
Benfica revealed last month that Simao has a 20million euro (£13.5million) buy-out clause in his contract, but that hasn't put off Liverpool.
Parry added: "We have not yet put any real thought into this, we have taken no decision, but we have not moved away from the hypothesis to come back and negotiate when the transfer window opens.
"Since our official bid for the player (August 2005), we have not had any more conversations with the club but, in the summer, we don't know if we will come back again."

[Philby]

The single worst post-Yankyeefication rumour Liverpool to surface so far...expect hundreds just as unlikely

Milan star to make Merseyside switch?

Reports are today suggesting that AC Milan and Italy midfielder Rino Gattuso is attracting interest from Premiership giants Liverpool.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is looking to further strengthen his midfield options next season and is apparently interested in the tough tacking Azzuri star.
Gattuso has previously mentioned his desire to return to Scotland later in his career but a move away from Milan would seem highly unlikely at the moment.

[Philby]

Liverpool trials for son of ex-Barcelona star Kodro

tribalfooball.com - April 22, 2007
http://www.tribalfootball.c om/images2/spacer.gif
Liverpool have handed trials to Kenan Kodro, the son of former Bosnian striker Meho Kodro.

Kodro Snr played for Real Sociedad and Barcelona in Spain and son Kenan, who at 13 is already 1.9m tall, recently had a trial spell at Liverpool under the eye of manager Rafa Benitez.
Benitez is still to make a decision over Kodro, who was part of the Antiguoko team that reached the final of the Champions League youth tournament. Along with Kodro, fellow Antiguoko youngsters Andoni Amonarraiz and Imanol Villena had tests at Liverpool at the start of this month.

[Roman Abramovich]

see torres armband? gutted. fuckin gutted.

[lionelhutz]

Reds Pondering Simao Swoop 23/04/07

Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa remains a potential target for Liverpool.
The Benfica man has long been linked with a move to Anfield, with Rafa Benitez coming closest to getting his man in the summer of 2005.
On that occasion the 27-year-old's club pulled the plug after he had passed his medical, and Benitez switched his attention elsewhere.
However Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has now revealed Simao remains very much in the Spaniard's thoughts as he plans for next season.
Parry told Portuguese daily O Jogo: "Simao is certainly not forgotten."
Benfica revealed last month that Simao has a 20million euro (£13.5million) buy-out clause in his contract, but that hasn't put off Liverpool.
Parry added: "We have not yet put any real thought into this, we have taken no decision, but we have not moved away from the hypothesis to come back and negotiate when the transfer window opens.
"Since our official bid for the player (August 2005), we have not had any more conversations with the club but, in the summer, we don't know if we will come back again."

not that shit again.

quaresma now, he'd be worth taking a look at, depending on price

[tonyfillony]

Don't know what to make of the old armband incident, would love to see torres in action for liverpool

[homer jay]

Don't know what to make of the old armband incident, would love to see torres in action for liverpool

what happened?

[wat_boy]

not at all keen on simao tbh

[STEVIEG]

Philby, as you've mentioned, Tribal football is the worst transfer source of all time

[Roman Abramovich]

what happened?

torres had his armband ripped off during play and underneath it says..
(and almost made me cry when i saw it)

"youll never walk alone"

[wat_boy]

have ya got a link to that roman please

[Roman Abramovich]

have ya got a link to that roman please

http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2007181679,00.jpg

[Sound]

torres had his armband ripped off during play and underneath it says..
(and almost made me cry when i saw it)

"youll never walk alone"

No way?

[Langer Dan]

Liverpool in hunt for Spanish wonder kid

23rd April 2007
By Staff Writer

Liverpool and Manchester United are battling it out to sign Spanish wonder kid Juan Manuel Mata Garcia Mata according to reports over the weekend.
The Daily Star claims both clubs are interested in signing the 18 year striker who is considered to be one of the hottest young properties in Spanish football.
Mata was recently promoted to Real Madrid's first team squad but has become frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities causing speculation that he is set to move away from the Spanish giants this summer.

I know it says scurrilous rumours but the Star?

ffs:)

[Sound]

I know it says scurrilous rumours but the Star?

ffs:)

More of this type of thing!

Henry to Anfield!

Fowler in as assistant to Rafa!

Etc, etc.

[Roman Abramovich]

No way?

dont ya believe the picture?

[STEVIEG]

It's a come-and-get-me-plea to Gordon Strachan

[Roman Abramovich]

It's a come-and-get-me-plea to Gordon Strachan

hell probably claim its a motto he lives by to fan it down but thats like me henry wearing one with "blue is the colour" and sayin wha?

Im gutted. Im truly gutted. Torres is me favourite world footballer. I love the guy. I think he fuckin oozes class. Gutted if the pool sign him or if anyone in england bar the gooners.

gutted.

[homer jay]

torres had his armband ripped off during play and underneath it says..
(and almost made me cry when i saw it)

"youll never walk alone"

ahahahaha, brilliant. the pic looks good, but it's hard to believe a single picture these days, photoshoping has turned into an epidemic these. has it been verified by a newspaper, or seen on tele or anything?

[homer jay]

It's a come-and-get-me-plea to Gordon Strachan

heh heh

[Forsberg]

It's a come-and-get-me-plea to Gordon Strachan

:D :D :D

[HappyMonday83]

A mate of mine who works for liverpool was home over the weekend and he was saying that there will be a big push to buy david villa in the summer they might even throw crouch in as part of the deal.

[Langer Dan]

A mate of mine who works for liverpool was home over the weekend and he was saying that there will be a big push to buy david villa in the summer they might even throw crouch in as part of the deal.

crouch in la liga? *snigger*

[HappyMonday83]

crouch in la liga? *snigger*

I think crouch is a solid player, good feet for a big fella.

[Roman Abramovich]

ahahahaha, brilliant. the pic looks good, but it's hard to believe a single picture these days, photoshoping has turned into an epidemic these. has it been verified by a newspaper, or seen on tele or anything?

its been in the sun!! story totally discredited.
I saw him run around with the armband flapping.

[Philby]

hell probably claim its a motto he lives by to fan it down but thats like me henry wearing one with "blue is the colour" and sayin wha?

Im gutted. Im truly gutted. Torres is me favourite world footballer. I love the guy. I think he fuckin oozes class. Gutted if the pool sign him or if anyone in england bar the gooners.

gutted.

Ah I wouldn't go slittin' the wrists just yet lad. This is far from a solid sign that Torres is Liverpool-bound.

YNWA is a popular song and is sung by countless clubs other than Liverpool & Celtic including Ipswich Town, SK Rapid Vienna, FC Twente, Feyenoord Rotterdam, FC St. Pauli, Borussia Dortmund, Alemannia Aachen, FSV Mainz 05, AEK Athens FC, F.C. Tokyo, Hellas Verona F.C., Club Brugge K.V., Antwerp FC & KV Mechelen.

It's a song to capture the imagination & emotions and that, combined with the increased popularity of Liverpool in Spain, would mean that it's a song/motto that's very much in the Spanish consciosness...it's far more likely that Torres simply likes the motto and draws parallels between it and his captaincy of Athletico.

[Philby]

crouch in la liga? *snigger*

Considering that he's proven in the premiership & in international football (where he has outscored everyone's favourite granny-sh*gger) I don't think it's quite such an outlandish prospect.

Does your level of football analysis start & finish at "he he....he's really tall and skinny...he he"?

[homer jay]

its been in the sun!! story totally discredited.
I saw him run around with the armband flapping.

aah well then.

as you were pool fans, wipe the dribble off your chins. it's back to david villa again.

[Sound]

aah well then.

as you were pool fans, wipe the dribble off your chins. it's back to david villa again.

Thank God for that.

[Sound]

dont ya believe the picture?

Posted before it was posted.

[Roman Abramovich]

Posted before it was posted.

ehh no....

[Sound]

ehh no....

I pressed reply and by the time I posted the pic was up.

Eh yes.

[Roman Abramovich]

I pressed reply and by the time I posted the pic was up.

Eh yes.

how long does it take you to type?

[Sound]

how long does it take you to type?

I have other things to be doing.

I also fail to see why a dyslexic cnut such as yourself would want to go down that road.

[Lamps]

I have other things to be doing.

I also fail to see why a dyslexic cnut such as yourself would want to go down that road.

ouch!

trouble in paradise.

my new tactics are bearing fruit

[POL]

if I didn't know any better, I'd say Sound was rattled

[Philby]

Lads - draw a line under this bull1sht and stick to the topic(s) at hand will ya?

[Sound]

if I didn't know any better, I'd say Sound was rattled

I'm safe enough so.

[Roman Abramovich]

I have other things to be doing.

I also fail to see why a dyslexic cnut such as yourself would want to go down that road.

just 6 minutes between reply........
thats a long time to think about what your gona say.
;)

[Sound]

just 6 minutes between reply........
thats a long time to think about what your gona say.
;)

Or it's .00005 seconds to think about it and the rest of the time spent doing some work that has interrupted my posting.

[Roman Abramovich]

Or it's .00005 seconds to think about it and the rest of the time spent doing some work that has interrupted my posting.

damn work....interrupting your posting like that.
pricks.

[ho chi feen]

Considering that he's proven in the premiership & in international football (where he has outscored everyone's favourite granny-sh*gger) I don't think it's quite such an outlandish prospect.

Does your level of football analysis start & finish at "he he....he's really tall and skinny...he he"?

He's better than Carsten Jancker, to give him his due.

[Philby]

He's better than Carsten Jancker, to give him his due.

He is, and at only 21 years of age, has plenty of time to improve to be fair to him.

[ho chi feen]

He is, and at only 21 years of age, has plenty of time to improve to be fair to him.

Zing!

[Philby]

Liverpool set to sign starlet


Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of signing Helsingborgs starlet Alexander Kacaniklic.
The 15-year-old impressed during a 12-day trial at Anfield in February and returned to the club for another visit earlier this month.
"It was really fun," he told Helsingborgs Dagblad. "The first training session was a bit nervy, but afterwards it went very well.
"The coaches felt that it went very well and I came around on the wing all the time.
"I believe in myself and I have always dreamt about becoming a professional.
"It's at this age that you develop the most and the conditions are much better at Liverpool than at Helsingborgs."

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?HLID=46298 5&CPID=8&title=Liverpool+set+ to+sign+starlet&lid=&channel=Football_Hom e&f=rss&clid=14

[Sound]

He's better than Carsten Jancker, to give him his due.

'There's not much call for a non-scoring striker in the Premiership Ron'.

[Philby]

http://images.thesun.co.uk/picture/0,,2007181679,00.jpg

Rafa coy on Torres talk



Rafa Benitez remained typically coy when quizzed about Fernando Torres' reported desire to move to Liverpool in the summer.
The Atletico Madrid favourite is widely regarded to be one of Europe's best strikers and has reportedly been high on the wish-list of Benitez, and several other Premiership bosses.
Manchester United and Arsenal have also been mooted as possible suitors of the 22-year-old but at the weekend, Torres, perhaps, hinted at an admiration for Liverpool when his captain's armband fell loose to reveal an inscription of the Kop's famous anthem 'You'll never walk alone'.
It is thought Torres has a clause in his contract which would allow his departure for a figure in the region of £27million but while Benitez will be armed with a healthy transfer kitty in the summer, he is nevertheless loath to disclose any specific targets.
"It means our team is very famous all around the world," Benitez told Sky Sports News, when quizzed on the significance of the inscription.
"We have about twenty names of players now, every one is thinking about one or a different one each week."
When asked if Torres would be on his list of targets in the summer, again, Benitez was somewhat evasive. "One of 125 players in the world."

[ho chi feen]

'There's not much call for a non-scoring striker in the Premiership Ron'.

Heh heh heh, I can remember that line.

[Sound]

Torres has missed 7 pens this season apparently.

Fuck that.

[STEVIEG]

Torres has missed 7 pens this season apparently.

Fuck that.

Is that true?????

I like Torres but he hasn't exactly lit up the goal scoring charts either

[Roman Abramovich]

Is that true?????

I like Torres but he hasn't exactly lit up the goal scoring charts either

neither did henry at juve....
neither did kanoute at spurs...

torres has had a dip in form this season. Becoming static at athletico. I even think morientes is now ahead of him in the spanish team. But thats luis the racist doing what he does best......managing like a newbie.

[STEVIEG]

Statico Madrid


I like it

[ho chi feen]

neither did henry at juve....
neither did kanoute at spurs...

torres has had a dip in form this season. Becoming static at athletico. I even think morientes is now ahead of him in the spanish team. But thats luis the racist doing what he does best......managing like a newbie.

Luis isn't a racist... he has black, Gypsy and Japanese friends, including one whose job is to determine the sex of poultry.

[STEVIEG]

including one whose job is to determine the sex of poultry.

He tests them out for Luis:)

[Roman Abramovich]

Luis isn't a racist... he has black, Gypsy and Japanese friends, including one whose job is to determine the sex of poultry.

if you know how many blackpeople and japs youve had to your house your a racist.

[ho chi feen]

if you know how many blackpeople and japs youve had to your house your a racist.

I know I've had no Japanese to my house yet, does this make me a racialist?

[STEVIEG]

I know I've had no Japanese to my house yet, does this make me a racialist?

Your japs eye?

I just provided conclusive proof that you are not a racist

[Philby]

Torres has missed 7 pens this season apparently.

Fuck that.

I've seen very little of Athletico this season but I would be shocked if that is true...I think you may have been at the end of a chinese whisper fitzy in relation to the 6 penalties (as of late February...could be more now) that Totti has missed this season.

[Sound]

I've seen very little of Athletico this season but I would be shocked if that is true...I think you may have been at the end of a chinese whisper fitzy in relation to the 6 penalties (as of late February...could be more now) that Totti has missed this season.


Gonna have to whoosh ya there Phil- look at the name of the thread. :p

[Roman Abramovich]

I've seen very little of Athletico this season but I would be shocked if that is true...I think you may have been at the end of a chinese whisper fitzy in relation to the 6 penalties (as of late February...could be more now) that Totti has missed this season.

i seen alot of their games and i see him miss one penalty. but he score 1minute later and then again 19 minutes after that.

i stayed stum.

[Philby]

Gonna have to whoosh ya there Phil- look at the name of the thread. :p

Ah feck off, don't try to weasel out of this by covering up your shoddy research under the cloak of the thread title..you utd fans are all the same :-)

[Sound]

i seen alot of their games and i see him miss one penalty. but he score 1minute later and then again 19 minutes after that.

i stayed stum.

Dont worry Naff- yer hero has only missed five this term.

[Philby]

i seen alot of their games and i see him miss one penalty. but he score 1minute later and then again 19 minutes after that.

i stayed stum.

Was that post in a faux-Italian accent?

[Roman Abramovich]

Was that post in a faux-Italian accent?

no, just a french proffessor.

ever see an interviewer ask wenger about someone?

Rep: Arsene people have been talking about tommy bubbles from knocka who plays for obscure utd. What do you make of him?
Arsene: Well he is player we like to look at, we saw him when he was 3. He has talent. He is quite large boy. He interests me, but i dont need striker right now. We have 5.

[Philby]

Liverpool boss Benitez scouts Catania duo
tribalfooball.com - May 01, 2007
http://www.tribalfootball.c om/images2/spacer.gif
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is eyeing Catania pair Juan Manuel Vargas and Fabio Caserta. Benitez posted scout Paco De Maria to watch Catania in action with Udinese on Sunday and it's understood the Reds scout ran his eye over Peruvian defender Margas and midfielder Caserta. De Maria also met with Catania sports chief Pietro Lo Monaco and asked about the availability of both players.


http://www.tribalfootball.c om/article.php?id=37830

[Philby]

Liverpool wrapping up deal for Bilbao kid San Jose

tribalfooball.com - May 04, 2007
http://www.tribalfootball.c om/images2/spacer.gif
Liverpool are expected to wrap up a deal for Athletic Bilbao teenager Mikel San Jose Dominguez in the coming days.
AS says that despite denials from Bilbao officials, San Jose's move to Liverpool will be confirmed publicly in the next week.


http://www.tribalfootball.c om/article.php?id=38224

[Jim Comic]

Liverpool are ready to make a £12m swoop for West Ham's Carlos Tevez. (People)

[Forsberg]

Liverpool are ready to make a £12m swoop for West Ham's Carlos Tevez. (People)

That would be a waste of a great talent. Imagine how Benitez would drain every bit of creativity and flair from his game.

[ho chi feen]

That would be a waste of a great talent. Imagine how Benitez would drain every bit of creativity and flair from his game.

I don't remember Benitez draining every bit of flair and creativity from Aimar's game- quite the opposite. I can distinctly remember Luis Garcia being given similar license the absent himself from the defensive side of things too, some to think of it. Benitez has always liked the idea of having one truly gifted trequartista in his sides, the thing with Liverpool at the present is that he hasn't been able to unearth any such player.

I'd be worried that Liverpool could actually start going places domestically if they signed Tevez. It's exactly that sort of player they're missing- even more so than a high-scoring striker or a left sided midfielder.

[Jim Comic]

I'd be worried that Liverpool could actually start going places domestically if they signed Tevez. It's exactly that sort of player they're missing- even more so than a high-scoring striker or a left sided midfielder.

yeah, what liverpool need is a player with an 'x-factor', that indefinable quality to create and do the unexpected like dalglish used to be or like cantona did for utd when he won them their first title in 25 years +.

[ho chi feen]

yeah, what liverpool need is a player with an 'x-factor', that indefinable quality to create and do the unexpected like dalglish used to be or like cantona did for utd when he won them their first title in 25 years +.

As I said on another thread, Bremen's Diego would be ideal. Tevez would be pretty damn good also though.

[Jim Comic]

there's little wrong with the rest of the squad (goalie, defence and midfield are fine), they just need that little extra spark of creativity that'll get them 10-15 extra points a season, particularly a few more against the top 4-5 sides

[Forsberg]

I don't remember Benitez draining every bit of flair and creativity from Aimar's game- quite the opposite. I can distinctly remember Luis Garcia being given similar license the absent himself from the defensive side of things too, some to think of it. Benitez has always liked the idea of having one truly gifted trequartista in his sides, the thing with Liverpool at the present is that he hasn't been able to unearth any such player.

I'd be worried that Liverpool could actually start going places domestically if they signed Tevez. It's exactly that sort of player they're missing- even more so than a high-scoring striker or a left sided midfielder.

Well Bentiez's M.O (at Liverpool at least) has been playing very rigid formations. Maybe he's just waiting for a player of Tevez's quality to come in before he "unleashes" anyone. Tevez is the sort of player who need 's to be left to his own devices to a certain extent. Noting from his time at Liverpool has suggested that Benitez would do this IMO.

[ho chi feen]

there's little wrong with the rest of the squad (goalie, defence and midfield are fine), they just need that little extra spark of creativity that'll get them 10-15 extra points a season, particularly a few more against the top 4-5 sides

That's what you needed under M Hoolahoop too- which is why he bought Diouf. :silly:

Well Bentiez's M.O (at Liverpool at least) has been playing very rigid formations. Maybe he's just waiting for a player of Tevez's quality to come in before he "unleashes" anyone. Tevez is the sort of player who need 's to be left to his own devices to a certain extent. Noting from his time at Liverpool has suggested that Benitez would do this IMO.

You see, that's pretty much it. Garcia was something of a stopgap for that role, but he's never been anywhere near as effective in the Premiership as in Europe. I don't think Benitez is the type to go out and make panic buys- if the sort of player he wants to sign isn't available, he'll make do with what he's got, bringing in cheaper players to boost the squad. It's testament to his adaptability that he's made do without that kind of player for so long, given that Aimar was absolutely key to how his Valencia side played. I'd suspect that if a player with the necessary attributes became available he'd change things around slightly.

One thing Tevez has over Diego is that he is now proven in the Premiership, which is probably quite important. On the minus side, he might be a little bit too unpredictable and certainly less measured. That said, Benitez is probably as well placed as any coach to channel his efforts more effectively in this regard.

Hence, I really hope he doesn't sign him!

[Jim Comic]

Houllier bought the closest thing to dalglish i'd seen in 20 years, Jari Litmanen, and then didn't use him much - he deserved to be sacked for that alone i.m.o.

[Jim Comic]

You see, that's pretty much it. Garcia was something of a stopgap for that role, but he's never been anywhere near as effective in the Premiership as in Europe.

until i saw Garcia play in the flesh i didn't realise just how slight he is, the other 21 players on the pitch were all twice the bulk of him, to my mind he'll never be successful in the physical p-ship because he's so tiny in comparison whereas in europe players tend to be given a bit more space and referees tend to protect creative types a wee bit more

[Jim Comic]

It's testament to his adaptability that he's made do without that kind of player for so long, given that Aimar was absolutely key to how his Valencia side played. I'd suspect that if a player with the necessary attributes became available he'd change things around slightly.




yeah, rafa's is building from the back (as most of the successful liverpool sides were structured), goalie, defence and defensive midfielders are now in place so the final piece of the puzzle is the creative maestrol. Alonso's been very disappointing this season whenever i've seen him but hopefully next year he might get back to where he was 2 years ago but even ig he does the reds still need a creative key

[Jim Comic]

That would be a waste of a great talent. Imagine how Benitez would drain every bit of creativity and flair from his game.

tee hee, the above reminded me that a guy on newstalk's sports show on friday night described liverpool as being like the Borg.... and then read this out from wikipedia

The Borg are a fictional race of cyborgs in the Star Trek universe, first introduced in the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series. They are characterized by relentless pursuit of targets for assimilation, their collective consciousness that enables rapid adaptability to almost any defense, and the ability to continue functioning properly despite seemingly devastating blows. They have become a powerful symbol in popular culture for any juggernaut against which "resistance is futile".

[wat_boy]

6 May 2007
RAFA'S SECRET TALKS TO NAB TEVEZ
Exclusive by Alan Nixon

CARLOS TEVEZ will quit West Ham at the end of the season whether they stay up or not - with Liverpool ready to head the £12million bidding.

Argentine striker Tevez is going to move on, with his agents and 'owners' fuming about the way they have been carved out of the controversial deal that has put Hammers in the dock.

Wannabe Hammers owner Kia Joorabchian - the man who brought Tevez and Javier Mascherano in on a double deal - met Kop chief Rafa Benitez in a London hotel before yesterday's game at Fulham.

Benitez already has taken Mascherano on loan with a view to a full-time buy and now his pal Tevez is being lined up to join him for next season too.

Top insiders reveal that Tevez now will be found a new home in the Premiership and that is sure to spark further anger about who controls the South American star.

Hammers were fined £5.5million for misleading the Premier League about third-party ownership of Tevez by Joorabchian - and they were advised to rip up the contract with him.

But the reaction from Tevez's camp is to move the striker on as soon as possible - and that will only add fuel to the fire about who profits from his moves.

I understand that Tevez's advisors already have been in Brazil to thrash out their slice of the transfer with Corinthians, the club he was signed from last August.

The plan is for Tevez's next club - with possibly Manchester United and Chelsea also keen - to pay £12m to Corinthians, who will then pay back the money owed to Joorabchian and his sidekicks.

West Ham may end up with nothing from the deal.

Tevez's contractual arrangements have been a shambles since Joorabchian brought him and Mascherano to West Ham.

Now six Premier League clubs want Hammers docked points for the part they played in the moves.

[Sound]

Well Bentiez's M.O (at Liverpool at least) has been playing very rigid formations. Maybe he's just waiting for a player of Tevez's quality to come in before he "unleashes" anyone. Tevez is the sort of player who need 's to be left to his own devices to a certain extent. Noting from his time at Liverpool has suggested that Benitez would do this IMO.

Then you haven't been paying attention. Like Ho-Chi said he's done it with Garcia and Aimar. Nothing to do with your club affiliation, no?

[Jim Comic]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155885070511-0902.htm

[Sound]

Owen hoax?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWx5RK1G9c0

[Jim Comic]

farewell robbie!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6646921.stm

[Jim Comic]

Levio's on the way it would seem...
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155896070511-1355.htm

[wat_boy]

according to a poster on YNWA a deal for alexandre pato is nearly done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvgS7AM5e1M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Rodrigues_ da_Silva

[Sound]

according to a poster on YNWA a deal for alexandre pato is nearly done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvgS7AM5e1M

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandre_Rodrigues_ da_Silva

Underage Brazilian strikers?!? Job.

More of this type of thing whether he's a success or not.

[Jim Comic]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155909070513-1228.htm

[homer jay]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N155909070513-1228.htm

"Liverpool made me an excellent proposal in the financial and professional part."

he must be on some serious bucks. is there any official run down of players wages?

[KolaKubes]

If this Brazilian midfielder is joining Liverpool, who is leaving?

Alonso?

He seems to be out of the reckoning there just now.

[Sound]

If this Brazilian midfielder is joining Liverpool, who is leaving?

Alonso?

He seems to be out of the reckoning there just now.

I would foresee him being bedded in for a season but maybe Rafa wants to hock Xabi. I'd be loath to see that happen with the amount Mascherano and Momo give the ball away. Barca and Real have been sniffing around him alright. Maybe a makeweight in an audacious deal for Eto'o? I'd soil me CL edition Carra underwear!

[Sound]

Malouda for £13M.

Simao for £13M as well.

Mid-week Rafa barbs were apparently in relation to Alves who he reckons they should have already tied up.

[homer jay]

not a bad price for simao in the current market, but he's not a favourite player of mine.

would he use alves as a right midfielder? i think he's too short for the right back slot.

[Sound]

not a bad price for simao in the current market, but he's not a favourite player of mine.

would he use alves as a right midfielder? i think he's too short for the right back slot.



Totally agree and each time I've seen him he's been great going forward and dodgy at the back- a typical Brazilian full-back. Stick him on the wing.

[lionelhutz]

Malouda for £13M.

Simao for £13M as well.

Mid-week Rafa barbs were apparently in relation to Alves who he reckons they should have already tied up.

none of those three will make a difference to the points gap between pool and the league winners

€26m would surely get him close to signing eto.

i cannot see how simao could be worth that much. baffling. more baffling that rafa has had a hard on for him for the last 2 years

[lionelhutz]

Totally agree and each time I've seen him he's been great going forward and dodgy at the back- a typical Brazilian full-back. Stick him on the wing.

i think it would be a risk playing him on the wing. his crossing is suspect. doesn't suit liverpool.

[Sound]

none of those three will make a difference to the points gap between pool and the league winners

€26m would surely get him close to signing eto.

i cannot see how simao could be worth that much. baffling. more baffling that rafa has had a hard on for him for the last 2 years

I'd agree with you in that if they are looking to spunk cash on a Portuguese winger then it should be Quaresma. I've never been overly impressed by either Malouda or Simao even if they are better than our current incumbents.

One point though is that he's not looking to choose between these targets and Eto'o- he wants all of them!

[lionelhutz]

I'd agree with you in that if they are looking to spunk cash on a Portuguese winger then it should be Quaresma. I've never been overly impressed by either Malouda or Simao even if they are better than our current incumbents.

One point though is that he's not looking to choose between these targets and Eto'o- he wants all of them!

id agree on quaresma, depending on price.

splashing on malouda and simao would be a waste.

malouda = simao= alves= zenden= kewell = cheyrou etc etc

if he got eto and a genuine creative midfielder i think we would win the league. big if though.

[RonnyB]

none of those three will make a difference to the points gap between pool and the league winners

€26m would surely get him close to signing eto.

i cannot see how simao could be worth that much. baffling. more baffling that rafa has had a hard on for him for the last 2 years

Thats a pretty accurate assessment of what Liverpool need. I hav'nt been too impressed at all by Malouda while Simao is a good player, Quaresma is a better option IMO, more direct if you like.

[Sound]

id agree on quaresma, depending on price.

splashing on malouda and simao would be a waste.

malouda = simao= alves= zenden= kewell = cheyrou etc etc

if he got eto and a genuine creative midfielder i think we would win the league. big if though.

Hmm the Simao saga may have an upside!

PARRY CONFIRMS SIMAO CHASE
Posted 29/05/07 11:24EmailPrintSave



Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed the club are still interested in Simao Sabrosa.


The Benfica winger has been a long-term target of Rafa Benitez, and was in fact given permission to fly to Anfield for a medical in August 2005.


On that occasion the Portuguese club pulled out of the £10 million deal, but now it seems that the Champions League finalists are ready to renew their interest in the player.


Furthermore, Parry claimed that a swap deal involving striker Djibril Cisse could be on the cards.


Cisse has spent the season on loan at Marseille, and while he favours a move to either an English or a Spanish club, he may be interested in the switch to Portugal.


Speaking to Portuguese daily A Bola, Parry said: "There are players we are interested in and Simao is one.


"But we have made no contact with Benfica. A swap with Cisse could be a possibility."


Cisse's agent Ranko Stojic refused to rule out the possibility of a move, but claimed that it would not be the striker's first choice.


"Anything is possible but Djibril's priority is to move to a club in either England or Spain who are in the Champions League," Stojic told A Bola.


"Liverpool will not be able to decide Cisse's future without the authorisation of the player."


Cisse joined Liverpool from Auxerre for £14 million in 2004, but spent last season back in France after falling out of favour with Benitez.


He scored eight goals in 21 appearances for Marseille after missing much of the start of the season with a broken leg, sustained playing for France before the World Cup.

[wat_boy]

rumour has it Daniel Alves is due to fly from London to Liverpool on Saturday morning, the day after the England game at Wembley to have a medical at Liverpool. He has been given international clearance to travel away from the squad for the day and Sevilla are close to agreeing a fee.

[Sound]

£10M deal on the table for Malouda. Here's a report from someone who lives in France and actually goes to Lyon games-

Malouda was excellent for the second half of the French season. Generally a bit temperamental like Robben and as equally talented and can be as frustrating. He's got more of a team ethic about him than Robben, has a more creative eye and can cross a ball very well (Crouch will benefit). With hard men in the middle to take/ give some of the flak, he could shine at Liverpool. Will take time (probably a season) to adjust to the Premier League tempo. £10m about right, I'd say.

[J.R.R. hartley]

£10M deal on the table for Malouda. Here's a report from someone who lives in France and actually goes to Lyon games-

Malouda was excellent for the second half of the French season. Generally a bit temperamental like Robben and as equally talented and can be as frustrating. He's got more of a team ethic about him than Robben, has a more creative eye and can cross a ball very well (Crouch will benefit). With hard men in the middle to take/ give some of the flak, he could shine at Liverpool. Will take time (probably a season) to adjust to the Premier League tempo. £10m about right, I'd say.
I thought he lived in London?

[Philby]

Malouda & Simao are good players but not quite the world-class additions who (on their own) are likely to make a significant difference to the current side. If they are in fact to join & come alongside a really top-rate striker and left back (I think we can improve on Riise if funds are available) then maybe a large jump in points is possible.

[ho chi feen]

Malouda & Simao are good players but not quite the world-class additions who (on their own) are likely to make a significant difference to the current side. If they are in fact to join & come alongside a really top-rate striker and left back (I think we can improve on Riise if funds are available) then maybe a large jump in points is possible.

You out eating rice these days, Philerby?

[Sound]

I thought he lived in London?

Eh?

[Jim Comic]

£10M deal on the table for Malouda. Here's a report from someone who lives in France and actually goes to Lyon games-

Malouda was excellent for the second half of the French season. Generally a bit temperamental like Robben and as equally talented and can be as frustrating. He's got more of a team ethic about him than Robben, has a more creative eye and can cross a ball very well (Crouch will benefit). With hard men in the middle to take/ give some of the flak, he could shine at Liverpool. Will take time (probably a season) to adjust to the Premier League tempo. £10m about right, I'd say.

bear in mind he's talking about the french league though, no real indicator of quality

[kevinbitzz]

bear in mind he's talking about the french league though, no real indicator of quality

indeed, very few players who are established in the french league make an impact in the english game, there are one or 2 exceptions of course

[Sound]

bear in mind he's talking about the french league though, no real indicator of quality

Indeed.

[comred]

rafa told the press we can afford to make two 10 to 12 million pound signings at the moment based on earnings lfc made in the previous season.

malouda seems nailed on - the other being a choice from either maniche, simao, alves, silva or even pato.

any other signings made in the next month might well depend on us shipping kewell and bellamy off to villa - which would raise another 12-15million.

this is before we add the champions league money and go cap in hand to the americans to stump up the cash they promised.

it promises to be a very exciting summer for rafa and liverpool fans.

[FL4ZGN]

rafa told the press we can afford to make two 10 to 12 million pound signings at the moment based on earnings lfc made in the previous season.

malouda seems nailed on - the other being a choice from either maniche, simao, alves, silva or even pato.

any other signings made in the next month might well depend on us shipping kewell and bellamy off to villa - which would raise another 12-15million.

this is before we add the champions league money and go cap in hand to the americans to stump up the cash they promised.

it promises to be a very exciting summer for rafa and liverpool fans.

I wonder if he could use the money to buy back the backpass rule?

[Sound]

I wonder if he could use the money to buy back the backpass rule?

Yawn.

[FL4ZGN]

Yawn.

Nothing against Liverpool fans here lad, in fact i admire Liverpool fans for sticking by the club in spite of their style of football.

[comred]

your comments are nothing but music to my ears tbt.

[Sound]

Nothing against Liverpool fans here lad, in fact i admire Liverpool fans for sticking by the club in spite of their style of football.

We're just returning the compliment of ye having to live through Utd's 'football' served up pre-Fergie.

[KolaKubes]

We're just returning the compliment of ye having to live through Utd's 'football' served up pre-Fergie.

Yes, that team with McGrath, Whiteside and Robson in it were notoriously dull to watch.

[comred]

how about the one with clayton, russel beardsmore, mike pheely, danny wallace - not forgetting fergie junior making the odd embarassing appearance.

[Sound]

Yes, that team with McGrath, Whiteside and Robson in it were notoriously dull to watch.

Relativity is not your friend here.

[FL4ZGN]

how about the one with clayton, russel beardsmore, mike pheely, danny wallace - not forgetting fergie junior making the odd embarassing appearance.

You forgot Ralph Milne.

[STEVIEG]

how about the one with clayton, russel beardsmore, mike pheely, danny wallace - not forgetting fergie junior making the odd embarassing appearance.

I actually remember the bones of that team beating liverpool 3-1 in a false dawn, one of many at the time

Beardsmore even scored!

[FL4ZGN]

I actually remember the bones of that team beating liverpool 3-1 in a false dawn, one of many at the time

Beardsmore even scored!

Blackmore won the FA Cup in 1990 as well as the 1992 League Cup and the 1991 Cup Winners' Cup plus premier league in 1992-93.

Has more league winners medals than Paul Stewart and Torben Piecnic (sp)

[Philby]

You out eating rice these days, Philerby?

Indeed I am lad, in Xi'an (central China) at the moment..making our way slowly towards Shanghai. Food is generally savage but when half of your meals consist of picking something blindly off an all-Chinese menus you're bound to go a bit off the mark once or twice!

[wat_boy]

Daniel Alves
Alessandro Mancini
Carlos Tevez
Leighton Baines

the above are rafa's main targets according to a posteron a liverpool forum who's usually spot on about these kind of things, he also had this to say,

"We've never made any move for Malouda, and Benfica have made it clear we need to pay about £14m for Simao (we offered £10m). We have yet to make a decision so we've moved to Mancini to see if signing him is possible. Should we strike a deal with Mancini, Rafa will take him over Simao, even if it means he'll be more expensive. We didn't think he could be available and have been alerted by his agent after he allegedly had a bust-up with Totti.

I'm growing confident that Alves and Tevez will be ours because they both want to play for us and their owners are ready to sell. All we need is to pay the cash. It really comes down to that"

[Sound]

Momo is off to Juve for £11M apparently.

Bugger.

[wat_boy]

Momo is off to Juve for £11M apparently.

Bugger.

with the addition of lucas to the squad who looks quality btw if we are to lose a cm then let it be sissoko, plenty of paper talk today about alonso plus cash for eto'o mabye we could throw them momo instead, kaka and ronaldinho are both out of the copa america so we should see lucas get a good load of games, kick off is around the 26th of this month i think

[Sound]

with the addition of lucas to the squad who looks quality btw if we are to lose a cm then let it be sissoko, plenty of paper talk today about alonso plus cash for eto'o mabye we could throw them momo instead, kaka and ronaldinho are both out of the copa america so we should see lucas get a good load of games, kick off is around the 26th of this month i think

I suppose you're right. I always liked Momo committment but he couldn't kick snow off a rope and Mascherano can. Good business I suppose.

[RICH]

I suppose you're right. I always liked Momo committment but he couldn't kick snow off a rope and Mascherano can. Good business I suppose.

yep, can't question the fella's attitude for the game but he's just a chicken chaser really. plenty of cover in the middle anyway.

[homer jay]

can't see them getting £11m for him.

[Sound]

can't see them getting £11m for him.

Really? Why not?

[homer jay]

Really? Why not?

he was bought for £5.5m, and while i think he has played very well for liverpool, his passing is absolutely terrible. something i would have thought he'd have inproved on in the last season.

he's not much of a goal threat (i know he's defensive midfielder, but anytime he's been in and around the box it's like he's wearing a can of ball repellent). his shot's are usually way off, and i can only remember one or two actually hitting the target.

he seems to pick up some nasty injuries, whether this was just an unlucky few, or if he's going to be mali's version of bryan robson remains to be seen, but it is a factor at this stage.

his cringeworthy miskicks in high profile games (barcelona game springs to mind) may have overly highlighted his lack of control on the ball.

a combination of the above make him a £8-10m in england and a £6-8m on the continent. but...the market is extremely fucked head over arse, and he could well go for £11m. if he does leave, best of luck to him, i did like his style of play, but masherano is more than capable of filling his boots (as is alonso, but there's rumours of him leaving as well).

[Sound]

Fair enough.

'Ball-repellant'- heh, heh.

[lionelhutz]

Daniel Alves
Alessandro Mancini
Carlos Tevez
Leighton Baines

the above are rafa's main targets according to a posteron a liverpool forum who's usually spot on about these kind of things, he also had this to say,

"

mancini and tevez would excite me and would, imo, close the gap between liverpool and the top. id be concerned that mancini is too lightweight but he has great ability. more comforting than the simao and malouda rumours anyway. alves would be a waste of money imo. baines would be a decent squad player depending on price. english players are ridiculously overpriced obviously but wigan cant afford to be choosy.

[lionelhutz]

yep, can't question the fella's attitude for the game but he's just a chicken chaser really. plenty of cover in the middle anyway.

hes got plenty of developing left and could turn out to be world class. hes got all of the physical abilities to be the new viera. he just needs more composure which can be fixed. hes been unlucky to be in a team full of experienced international midfielders. his eye injury forced rafa to re-jig his team and once mascherano came in momo finds himself down the peckin order. i would try to hold on to him if i were rafa but if he could get anywhere near 11m id take it

[Sound]

hes got plenty of developing left and could turn out to be world class. hes got all of the physical abilities to be the new viera. he just needs more composure which can be fixed. hes been unlucky to be in a team full of experienced international midfielders. his eye injury forced rafa to re-jig his team and once mascherano came in momo finds himself down the peckin order. i would try to hold on to him if i were rafa but if he could get anywhere near 11m id take it

The Brazilian coming in would indicate that Momo willl be sold.

I'm really looking forward to seeing him in the Copa America.

[KolaKubes]

a) Kightley at Wolves looks like a player to me

b) Until Liverpool get rid of Benitez, it's going to be 0-0 and 1-0 stuff, no league title. You just don't get the rewards for quality defensive play in the Premiership, the opponents just aren't good enough to be justifying such negativity.

There is a sort of backhanded compliment in there somewhere.

[wat_boy]

Until Liverpool get rid of Benitez, it's going to be 0-0 and 1-0 stuff, no league title. You just don't get the rewards for quality defensive play in the Premiership, the opponents just aren't good enough to be justifying such negativity.


you just don't get it do ya, since rafa's been in charge we have not been able to spend top dollar on a quality attacking player (like utd and chelsea have) hence why were toothless in the attacking third of the pitch, now that theres some money to spend which will no doubt be spent on attacking players can you please reserve your judgement of rafa for at least another season

[KolaKubes]

you just don't get it do ya, since rafa's been in charge we have not been able to spend top dollar on a quality attacking player (like utd and chelsea have) hence why were toothless in the attacking third of the pitch, now that theres some money to spend which will no doubt be spent on attacking players can you please reserve your judgement of rafa for at least another season

No promises.

I was saying this after his first season like.

[wat_boy]

I was saying this after his first season like.

now thats just plain daft tbh

[Forsberg]

a) Kightley at Wolves looks like a player to me
.

He was linked with Everton a bit back so I took it upon me to watch him closely whenever i got a chance. I wasn't overly impressed. Decent and will probabl improve but a player for relegation fights at best imo.

[KolaKubes]

He was linked with Everton a bit back so I took it upon me to watch him closely whenever i got a chance. I wasn't overly impressed. Decent and will probabl improve but a player for relegation fights at best imo.

Great movement. Always a big plus with a player.

Actually, if you were looking for another Cahill.

[Forsberg]

Great movement. Always a big plus with a player.

Actually, if you were looking for another Cahill.

Well I woldn't be overly surprised to see him at Goodison soon. Moyes does like to take a punt with Championship players . I'd be worried that it's too soon for him . Wasn't he playing Non league football last year? He probably needs another year or two at that level imo.

[KolaKubes]

Well I woldn't be overly surprised to see him at Goodison soon. Moyes does like to take a punt with Championship players . I'd be worried that it's too soon for him . Wasn't he playing Non league football last year? He probably needs another year or two at that level imo.

If that.

Dunno, makes him all the more impressive in my eyes.

I'd disagree with "needing another year or two at that level", Championship football is different. It's fine for bringing on defenders but dunno about forwards.

[Forsberg]

If that.

Dunno, makes him all the more impressive in my eyes.

I'd disagree with "needing another year or two at that level", Championship football is different. It's fine for bringing on defenders but dunno about forwards.

Ya , as I said , I've only seen him a couple of times and you can't really judge these guys till they play at that level .
I mean , I was completely unimpressed when Moyes bought Cahill. I couldn't understand it. He's turned out alright in the end.

[KolaKubes]

Benitez to spend all his transfer kitty on Etoo.

Obviously a good signing if it comes off.

All eggs in one basket though. Big basket mind.

[st finnbar]

Benitez to spend all his transfer kitty on Etoo.

Obviously a good signing if it comes off.

All eggs in one basket though. Big basket mind.

he would never go there, too much negative players, if arsenal get the cash he s there

[KolaKubes]

he would never go there, too much negative players, if arsenal get the cash he s there

Swap deal for Henry?

Yes, I could see that.

Arsenal with Etoo might actually be half decent.

[wat_boy]

he would never go there, too much negative players, if arsenal get the cash he s there

seems open to the idea of playing for liverpool
http://home.skysports.com/club.aspx?clid=14&m=5&y=2007&cpid=8&archive=true

Benitez to spend all his transfer kitty on Etoo.

Obviously a good signing if it comes off.

All eggs in one basket though. Big basket mind.

thats just paper bollocks tbh, no way would liverpool spend all their kitty on one player, its all well and good having the best striker in the world but if you cant give him the service then its pointless spending all our transfer funds on him

[wat_boy]

st finbarr, a little birdy told me last week that you used to be a liverpool in your younger days and jumped on the utd bandwagon in the 90's

[KolaKubes]

st finbarr, a little birdy told me last week that you used to be a liverpool in your younger days and jumped on the utd bandwagon in the 90's

That's a very serious accusation to be leveling at anyone. ;)

Maybe he developed some taste though? :D

[st finnbar]

st finbarr, a little birdy told me last week that you used to be a liverpool in your younger days and jumped on the utd bandwagon in the 90's

dream on there kid:) , are still hurting from the ac milan match, dry your eyes mate:p

[st finnbar]

best fans in world my hole:D

LIVERPOOL fans have been condemned as the WORST in Europe in a scathing UEFA report.

UEFA president Michel Platini will hand the controversial dossier to Britain's Sports Minister Richard Caborn in Brussels on Tuesday.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: "We have an independent police report mentioning 25 incidents since 2003 caused by Liverpool fans away from home. That's the most of any team in Europe. We should all be very pleased that no one was hurt."

The report follows an investigation into violence that marred the Champions League final in Athens and accuses the Kop fans of causing most of the trouble.

Scores of fans with genuine tickets were denied entry to the Olympic Stadium in Athens last month.

Hundreds of others holding forgeries managed to get in to see Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by AC Milan.

Gaillard added: "We had 102 flags in the stadium, but by the time the game began there were only two left. People climbed up amid incredible danger in order to steal them, and we know a majority were Liverpool fans."

A senior UEFA insider told the News of the World that Caborn would have "serious food for thought" after reading a "thick dossier" on the disorder in the stadium.

Liverpool will mount a strong defence of their fans and point out they submitted their own report to UEFA before the final, highlighting their serious concerns about crowd control.

[KolaKubes]

best fans in world my hole:D

LIVERPOOL fans have been condemned as the WORST in Europe in a scathing UEFA report.

UEFA president Michel Platini will hand the controversial dossier to Britain's Sports Minister Richard Caborn in Brussels on Tuesday.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: "We have an independent police report mentioning 25 incidents since 2003 caused by Liverpool fans away from home. That's the most of any team in Europe. We should all be very pleased that no one was hurt."

The report follows an investigation into violence that marred the Champions League final in Athens and accuses the Kop fans of causing most of the trouble.

Scores of fans with genuine tickets were denied entry to the Olympic Stadium in Athens last month.

Hundreds of others holding forgeries managed to get in to see Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by AC Milan.

Gaillard added: "We had 102 flags in the stadium, but by the time the game began there were only two left. People climbed up amid incredible danger in order to steal them, and we know a majority were Liverpool fans."

A senior UEFA insider told the News of the World that Caborn would have "serious food for thought" after reading a "thick dossier" on the disorder in the stadium.

Liverpool will mount a strong defence of their fans and point out they submitted their own report to UEFA before the final, highlighting their serious concerns about crowd control.

Heh heh. :D

Mind, I'm sure West Ham would be worse if they had a decent team playing lots of European Football.

[lionelhutz]

best fans in world my hole:D

LIVERPOOL fans have been condemned as the WORST in Europe in a scathing UEFA report.

UEFA president Michel Platini will hand the controversial dossier to Britain's Sports Minister Richard Caborn in Brussels on Tuesday.

UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said: "We have an independent police report mentioning 25 incidents since 2003 caused by Liverpool fans away from home. That's the most of any team in Europe. We should all be very pleased that no one was hurt."

The report follows an investigation into violence that marred the Champions League final in Athens and accuses the Kop fans of causing most of the trouble.

Scores of fans with genuine tickets were denied entry to the Olympic Stadium in Athens last month.

Hundreds of others holding forgeries managed to get in to see Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by AC Milan.

Gaillard added: "We had 102 flags in the stadium, but by the time the game began there were only two left. People climbed up amid incredible danger in order to steal them, and we know a majority were Liverpool fans."

A senior UEFA insider told the News of the World that Caborn would have "serious food for thought" after reading a "thick dossier" on the disorder in the stadium.

Liverpool will mount a strong defence of their fans and point out they submitted their own report to UEFA before the final, highlighting their serious concerns about crowd control.

source?

[lionelhutz]

source?

ahhh. news of the world. i see.

[Philby]

Malouda & Simao are good players but not quite the world-class additions who (on their own) are likely to make a significant difference to the current side. If they are in fact to join & come alongside a really top-rate striker and left back (I think we can improve on Riise if funds are available) then maybe a large jump in points is possible.

The thought of Eto'o possibly joining Liverpool is enough to produce gushing fountains of s*x wee...he is in that top tier of truly world-class players and for Liverpool to be in there fighting for his signature is a very positive sign (he very well may not sign but to be in there with a shout is a million miles away from nearly being priced out of a move for Kuyt for example). He is a player that would positively stroll into the first 11 and based on his record to date & playing style would be strongly-placed to be a top performer in the premiership.

It is frustrating that the club have failed to make any major deals happen (esp while Utd are spending it like a drunk in a whorehouse) but it is still very early and Liverpool have already brought 4 players on board (albeit none of which have immediate first-choice potential).

[homer jay]

Malouda admits Reds admiration

France winger Florent Malouda has described Liverpool as a "great club", increasing speculation the Lyon player could make a switch to Anfield.

The 27-year-old is one of a number of reported targets for Reds boss Rafael Benitez in a summer overhaul, although he has also been linked with Chelsea, Juventus and AC Milan.

"There has been contact with Liverpool, although I don't know as yet if they have shown their interest directly to Lyon," reports The Sun.

"People make their decisions based on the different leagues in different countries but I would rather decide based on the club. And Liverpool, why not? It is a great club."

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,2483_2172601 ,00.html

[homer jay]

pics of the new stadium design...apparently

[Forsberg]

pics of the new stadium design...apparently

http://i13.tinypic.com/6ch94kn.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/4tgc7k6.jpg

Looks hideous from the aerial view

[homer jay]

Looks hideous from the aerial view

thought it was quite interesting myself. the more i think about it, the less of the modern generic stadium i like. so anything with a bit of imagination is a bonus.

there seems to be a massive distance from the pitch/sideline/stand to the edge of where the roof seems to finish.

i'm taking these pics with a bit of salt, there's a lot of designs floating around at the minute. i think they're due to announce the new design next month.

[Forsberg]

thought it was quite interesting myself. the more i think about it, the less of the modern generic stadium i like. so anything with a bit of imagination is a bonus.

there seems to be a massive distance from the pitch/sideline/stand to the edge of where the roof seems to finish.

i'm taking these pics with a bit of salt, there's a lot of designs floating around at the minute. i think they're due to announce the new design next month.

Definitely . Until you see Gillet and co standing over a little replica of it , I wouldn't be too excited .

The one thing about those pics , si that it looks like it'll just be another generic , "all sides look the same " stadium ... inside at least.

[homer jay]

Definitely . Until you see Gillet and co standing over a little replica of it , I wouldn't be too excited .

The one thing about those pics , si that it looks like it'll just be another generic , "all sides look the same " stadium ... inside at least.

maximise the seating potential i suppose. there's loads of talk about the executive boxes and underground bunkers, restaurants etc. etc. anything that can make more money and, by default, turn it more american :rolleyes:

[ho chi feen]

maximise the seating potential i suppose. there's loads of talk about the executive boxes and underground bunkers, restaurants etc. etc. anything that can make more money and, by default, turn it more american :rolleyes:

Go Liverton Reds!

[wat_boy]

please god no!

http://www.liverpool.vitalf ootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=71457

[parrotbait]

Jeez Man City have met the fee required by Atletico for Torres, that means Sven was willing to spend 27mil on a striker out of his 50mil. You'd think he'd spread it across the squad to get it stronger in several positions and not just one.

Strange didn't hear that Inter were in for Torres before now, came out of nowhere that.
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=47447 9&CPID=8&clid=14&lid=2&title=City+try+for+T orres&channel=football_hom e&

Oh the Heinze interest from Liverpool is on Sky Sports site now
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=47448 1&CPID=8&clid=1&lid=2&title=Reds+enter+Hei nze+race&channel=football_hom e&

Liverpool have signed some young fella from Barca, would be great if it was the new Fabregas...but a forward
http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=47447 8&CPID=23&clid=178&lid=2&title=Liverpool+seal +Barca+raid&channel=football_hom e&

[Jim Comic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6239286.stm

[Jim Comic]

Go Liverton Reds!

those guys are awesome man!!!!!

[Edmund Blackwater]

Things i learned from this thread:
1: That 'insider' knows nothing.
2: Kola knows nothing, repeat nothing, about the disgusting business we call soccer.