Liverpool thread

[davidmphill]

I'd be shocked not to see Bellamy leave now to be honest. As much as I like him as a Welshman he's not going to feature for Liverpool next season as much as he'd want and you just know there's trouble brewing on the horizon if thats the case.

[davidmphill]

Interview with Torres:

READ OUR EXCLUSIVE CHAT WITH FERNANDO Jimmy Rice 04 July 2007
	In his first interview in English football, Fernando Torres talks to Liverpoolfc.tv about signing for the Reds, goals targets and his famous You'll Never Walk Alone captain's armband.
You've just put pen to paper Fernando, how does it feel? I am very, very happy. This was the biggest decision of my footballing life but I've come to a winning club. This is a club of champions - one of the biggest there is. I now want to play my part in that and be a champion too and help the club progress. How much do you know about Liverpool Football Club? Obviously growing up in Spain you are aware of all the big clubs there, but you also keep an eye on Europe, and Liverpool always catches the eye. It always did for me. I had older brothers who'd tell me about the likes of Keegan and Rush, but the first players I remember seeing as a fan are players like Robbie Fowler. My main memory is seeing Liverpool's incredible record in Europe, and I certainly followed that closely. When did you first hear of Liverpool's interest in you? It was just a couple of weeks ago, it's all happened very quickly. I was aware of offers from other clubs but as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested I said to Atletico: "Look, please listen to this offer." There were many clubs being banded around. Offers go directly to Atletico, so I wouldn't necessarily know about them, but as soon as I heard about Liverpool, I told them that Anfield was the only place I was interested in. Why did Liverpool stand out for you? I'm aware of the history and how special this club is. The tragedies that have happened have made the bond between the fans and the club so strong. Liverpool just ticks all the boxes for me. There's team spirit and a desire to win instilled by Rafa, and then there's my new teammates like Pepe and Xabi. They, as well as Luis, have always spoken very positively about life here in Liverpool. I didn't speak to them directly before signing because it all happened so quickly. I've been getting planes here, there and everywhere. My other half has spoken to Pepe's other half though. She said: "We're here for you. Let us know if there is anything you need." Tell me about the captain's armband you displayed during a game against Real Sociedad last season, with You'll Never Walk Alone written on the inside? There is a group of my mates, about five or six of us, and we've all grown up supporting Liverpool. Because they are all so committed to Liverpool, they've had We'll Never Walk Alone tattooed on their arms. It's changed slightly because it's a symbol of our friendship as well as our support for the club. Obviously I couldn't have that tattooed on my arm playing for Atletico, but they gave me this armband as a present for my last birthday. Why have you decided to leave Atletico now? The time is right because Liverpool have come in for me. Was it a difficult decision to make? You have certain chances in life. You can't afford to miss them because they only come around once. I've been with Atletico since I was 10, I've grown up as a person and a player there. But we haven't been getting the opportunities to play in Europe and I think I now need to take that step up. How big a factor was Rafa Benitez in your decision to come to Merseyside? The first time I spoke to him, I was convinced. Just to know Rafa has confidence in me and trusts me is massive. I feel honoured because Liverpool are such a big club, they could have signed anyone. I am very pleased they have chosen me! What do you know about the fans here in Liverpool, and how much are you looking forward to playing in front of the Kop? I've spoken to many people about it and watched many DVDs, but you can't possibly know what it feels like to play at Anfield until you have experienced it. I am dying to play in front of the Kop. Have you set yourself a goals target for your first season? Not really, but I suppose the first target is to beat what I got in Spain. My average there was 15. Finally, what message would you like to send to Liverpool fans? I just want to say thank-you, because from today, day one, people have been trying to meet me at Melwood. I've also seen some at the airport. They all seem to be behind me, so I want to say thank-you very much.

[Carl]

I hope he does well at 'pool and make it very interesting at the top, unless of course rafa starts fooking about with the formations again.
Apart from the big games that Torres has played in he's not a player Ive followed but like any good striker you need a good run of games to get the confidence and find your eye for goal. I hope Benitez doesnt fook this up.

[davidmphill]

The Man Utd fans that I know are 'gutted' to see him sign for Liverpool. I think that says it all about his ability.
Being a big fan of La Liga i've seen him over a few seasons now and he's exactly the kind of striker that has been missing on Merseyside.

[Darren]

Vey happy with the signing, 20M fee? Not that much more than Darren Bent in the end then.

Our past record signings of recent years haven't done all that well.

Cisse 14M (gonna get between 6 and 8 back)
Heskey 11M
Collymore 8.5M

Torres should do fine though

[mileni4uk]

The problem has always been the service provided. I'm very wxcited about Fernando's arrval, cos he's still 23 and is one of the best all round players. Posesses speed, strenth and an eye for the goal. But I really want to see some classy wings (2 better than Gonzalez and Pennant). That's the most important thing for me. Hope Kewell stays injury free.

[MaKDaddYSportsBET]

Originally Posted by mileni4uk

The problem has always been the service provided. I'm very wxcited about Fernando's arrval, cos he's still 23 and is one of the best all round players. Posesses speed, strenth and an eye for the goal. But I really want to see some classy wings (2 better than Gonzalez and Pennant). That's the most important thing for me. Hope Kewell stays injury free.

Well by the looks of the midfield lineup we'll see Gerrard on the right and Kewell on the left (provided he pushes through the Asian cup ok)... I hear Liverpool and Australia will both be in range of each other as Liverpool tour Asia... tempted to make the trip and watch the boys in action for the first time... not to mention the socceroos....

[Darren]

I don't think I have posted rumours on this thread before. But I probably should have as I won't be able to look back through the Rumours thread as easily.

Quaresma we are after apparently, 13.5M turned down.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle2028699.ece

I'm still thinking we will get the other ex-Barcelona player in Simao. Parry mentioned we wanted him soon after the season ended, although nothing has been mentioned since.

And Bellamy off to West Ham.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/6270944.stm
There might be something in that one, and I think its more likely a move to West Ham than a return to Blackburn. Quite a big price is getting stuck beside Bellamy and I think Mark Hughes will say the same as what Rafa did when Owen was linked with a return back, and not pay more than what he was sold for.

[Darren]

Zenden makes Marseille move

By Peter Fraser - Created on 6 Jul 2007

PREMIERSHIP SEASON 2007-08
Peter Crouch is 9/2 to be Liverpool's top scorer. Click for more specials!


Related links


Team Pages:

• Liverpool
• Marseille

Player Pages:

• Boudewijn Zenden

Boudewijn Zenden has completed his free transfer to Marseille.
The midfielder was released by Liverpool at the end of last season and he has now agreed a two-year deal with the French Ligue 1 side after completing a medical.
A statement on Marseille's official website said: "Midfielder Boudewijn Zenden is a Marseille player.
"The Holland international this afternoon joined Marseille for two years.
"The man nicknamed 'Bolo' will wear number 10."

Zenden, who has also had spells at Barcelona and Chelsea, joined Liverpool from Middlesbrough on a free transfer in 2005.
However, a combination of inconsistent form and repeated injury problems limited the the Dutchman to just 14 Premiership starts in his two years on Merseyside.
Marseille, who finished second to runaway leaders Lyon in France last year, are hopeful the 30-year-old will help fill the midfield role of Franck Ribery who left the club at the end of the season for Bayern Munich.
Marseille sports director Jose Anigo is delighted to have secured the experienced Zenden ahead of the new season.
"It is a great coup for us," Anigo told Marseille's official website.
"He is the player that is going to give the team the balance we need.
"He is the ideal player for us with the international standing that a Champions League side must have.
"He has a great experience and speaks French, I think he is a winner who loves to communicate the culture of the victory."

[Darren]

L'OM claim Cisse agreement

By Peter ORourke - Created on 6 Jul 2007

TRANSFER SPECIAL
Keep up to date with the latest on who's on the move with the skysports.com transfer section.


Related links


Team Pages:

• Marseille
• Liverpool
• West Ham United

Player Pages:

• Djibril Cisse

Marseille have claimed they have "agreed in principle" a deal to sign Liverpool's Djibril Cisse.
The French club's move for Cisse was put in doubt earlier on Friday after Liverpool confirmed West Ham had made an approach for the striker.
However, Marseille insist they are on the brink of clinching a deal for long-term target Cisse and that he will join former Liverpool team-mate Bolo Zenden at the club.
A statement on the club's official website read: " "As well as signing Boudewijn Zenden, Marseille have also reached an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer of Djibril Cisse." Marseille have been chasing a deal for Cisse all summer after he spent last season on loan at Stade Velodrome and they are confident of finally landing the French international despite West Ham's interest.

[Darren]

Looks like Bellamy is about to go to West Ham for 8-9M, and Cisse is off to Marseille for a similar fee. So with that money coming in we'll hopefully make a few more big moves, as overall we won't have spent much over 10M in total this summer.

[mileni4uk]

Benayoun might go the other way in part-exchange for Bellamy, cos Rafa likes him. He wanted to buy him when he was in Spain.

[Darren]

Stockport starlet set for Reds

By Andrew Scurr - Created on 6 Jul 2007

PREMIERSHIP SEASON 2007-08
Peter Crouch is 9/2 to be Liverpool's top scorer. Click for more specials!


Related links


Team Pages:

• Liverpool
• Stockport County

Player Pages:

• Ryan Crowther
• Greg Tansey

Stockport youngster Ryan Crowther will join Liverpool after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the winger.
Liverpool took Crowther and Greg Tansey to an international tournament in Milan and the 18-year-old impressed sufficiently to earn a move to The Reds.
Crowther has already agreed personal terms and will move to Anfield once he passes a medical on Merseyside.
He will join former Stockport starlet Ben Robinson at Liverpool after the 14-year-old goalkeeper signed for the Premier League club recently. Midfielder Tansey, meanwhile, will return to The Hatters and will be hoping to break into Jim Gannon's first-team next season.

[Nade]

Not being funny like, but liverpool's youth system must be piss poor as they constantly import youngsters from all over the globe. Being the 'peoples club' you'd think they'd want more local youth coming through...

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by Nade

Not being funny like, but liverpool's youth system must be piss poor as they constantly import youngsters from all over the globe. Being the 'peoples club' you'd think they'd want more local youth coming through...

Yeah, never worked for Arsenal did it!

Liverpools youths last season won the Youth Cup with a majority of locals in it beating Man Utd in the final despite losing the 1st leg at Anfield, not a bad effort for a piss poor system.

[Nade]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Yeah, never worked for Arsenal did it!

Liverpools youths last season won the Youth Cup with a majority of locals in it beating Man Utd in the final despite losing the 1st leg at Anfield, not a bad effort for a piss poor system.

So you agree and disagree in one reply If you've gotta import players to make your youth team look better then by definition it makes the current set up and squad seem poor. Didn't liverpool's youth team coach leave recently after decades of service because of too much tampering from Rafa and Co. i.e. bringing in random foreigners? I'm just putting the query out there, just my observation.

[davidmphill]

I think the youth team last season served its purpose it won the youth cup.
All Rafa is doing now is adding to it with talent from all over Europe. I see no problem with that as its taking the club forward on that front. He's still bringing in young UK talent that he see's fit which I like too.

I wasn't in agreement of his decision to get shot of Steve Heighway, it was Rafa's decision to take a more hands on approach to the youth development. To be honest there hasnt been too much quality come through of late barring probably Steve Warnock who has since left the club but in a few years I would expect this new policy to deliver the goods.

I love contradicting myself by the way!

[Darren]

Originally Posted by Nade

Not being funny like, but liverpool's youth system must be piss poor as they constantly import youngsters from all over the globe. Being the 'peoples club' you'd think they'd want more local youth coming through...

The youth system doesn't lack of effort. But under the old way we were trying to mainly bring in local lads and not many were making the grade. Warnock the last good one to make it through, and most end up in League 1 or 2 if they make it at all. It needed changed and it has been totally changed.

Originally Posted by Nade

So you agree and disagree in one reply If you've gotta import players to make your youth team look better then by definition it makes the current set up and squad seem poor. Didn't liverpool's youth team coach leave recently after decades of service because of too much tampering from Rafa and Co. i.e. bringing in random foreigners? I'm just putting the query out there, just my observation.

Not quite with you. Surely the aim of the youth team is to bring players into the side who will make an impact on the first team. If the local talent isn't there for it then why not spread the net further.

One thing I have disliked in the past is we would by and large only bring in local boys. Now we are bringing in talented youngsters from the world of football and hopefully some will make it through. Also bringing in some talent from around the UK, so its all good in that department imo

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

I think the youth team last season served its purpose it won the youth cup.
All Rafa is doing now is adding to it with talent from all over Europe. I see no problem with that as its taking the club forward on that front. He's still bringing in young UK talent that he see's fit which I like too.

I wasn't in agreement of his decision to get shot of Steve Heighway, it was Rafa's decision to take a more hands on approach to the youth development. To be honest there hasnt been too much quality come through of late barring probably Steve Warnock who has since left the club but in a few years I would expect this new policy to deliver the goods.

I love contradicting myself by the way!

I was happy to see Heighway replaced tbh. Of course the club is sad to lose him after all these years, but I feel he was too limited in his role as Academy director.