Liverpool thread

[Darren]

REDS TO SIGN BRAZILIAN MIDFIELDER Paul Eaton 11 May 2007
	Liverpool are set to sign Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva from Gremio.
The 20-year old midfielder will join the Reds at the start of next season after Rafael Benitez beat a host of European clubs for his signature. "The deal with the player and his club is almost done and I am really pleased he is coming to us," said Benitez. "He is the captain of the Brazil under-20 side and won the Golden Boot in his country last year so we know he has quality and we also believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England. "He can play as a holding midfielder but he can also get from box to box and so I am looking forward to seeing him score goals for Liverpool in the future. "A lot of clubs in England and Spain were asking about him but our scouting department has again been working really hard and it's good that he's coming to us. "He will arrive in the summer and then will start adapting to football in this country. We know it can take time but I think he has the quality to be putting pressure on Gerrard, Mascherano, Xabi and Sissoko next season."

[Darren]

Robbie Fowler is leaving Liverpool

http://www.teamtalk.com/football/sto...120621,00.html

[Darren]

Had to do a bit of hunting to find out who Lucas Leiva actually was, I can't say I follow South American football too much

Looks like he is more of a defensive midfielder, so I think Alonso could well be heading off in the summer, which i could live with if we brought in Eto'o

Player of the year in Brazil, and only 20. Was reportedly tracked by a host of top European clubs (I won't get carried away with that, after all so was Igor Biscan). Seems to have joined for around 5-6M.

Also found a video of him at work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYqKz...pezzini%2Ehtml

Hopefully should become a great player for us, although I don't quite think another player to go in centre mid is what we need.

[aliando]

sounds like a good investment but

He can play as a holding midfielder

how many of this type of player do we need?

[Darren]

Originally Posted by aliando

sounds like a good investment but

how many of this type of player do we need?

Well we only have Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano and now this guy that can play the role

I think at least one of the current ones will go though. Might have been reading a bit too much on the old gossip columns, but I know Rafa is a fan of Eto'o, and Barca want Alonso...well come on, there is a transfer deal in that

[davidmphill]

No shock about Fowler going, I think that was inevitable at the start of the season to be honest and i'm sure Robbie would've known that.
Hopefully this Brazilian if he comes won't turn out to be a Kleberson or as Darren says a Biscan!

[Darren]

LIVERPOOL 2 - 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC Sunday 13 May 2007 15:00 , Barclays Premiership

COOL KEWELL RESCUES A POINT Liverpool have finished the Premiership season in third place after a 90th minute penalty scored by Harry Kewell gave them a 2-2 draw with Charlton in Robbie Fowler's last game at Anfield on Sunday. It had looked like the Reds would crash to only a second home league defeat of the season when a goal from Darren Bent restored Charlton's lead in the 71st minute. But the Reds were awarded a penalty in the last minute for handball and Harry Kewell slammed the ball home to rescue a point. Ironically Robbie Fowler had only just left the pitch, substituted for Peter Crouch, and he would surely have taken the spot kick. A second minute goal from Matt Holland had earlier seen Charlton lead at half time before Xabi Alonso came off the bench to equalize. This game was never going to be an end of season stroll, what with Champions League Final places at stake. And it was always going to a poignant occasion as Anfield said goodbye to one of its favourite sons Robbie Fowler. Rafa Benitez's decision to make Fowler the Captain for the day a fitting tribute to someone who the Kop will always hold close to their hearts. Rafa Benitez named a strong side for this warm up for Athens, with the only exception being a debut for young Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli in place of Pepe Reina. But Padelli's big day got off to the worst possible start when he was beaten after just two minutes. Anfield had come to see Fowler score, but they were stunned when Matt Holland gave Charlton the lead before they had settled into their seats. The goal coming when Zheng Zhi crossed low into the box and Holland reacted first to bundle the ball passed Padelli and into the Kop net. Charlton were ripping up the script. We were supposed to be here to say goodbye to Fowler and wish the Reds luck ahead of Athens, but only the outstretched leg of Steve Finnan stopped Alex Song doubling the visitor's lead in the 30th minute. Liverpool did largely control the first half and they did create chances. Alvaro Arbeloa had the best of them when Bougherra's slip gave him a free run at goal, but he shot wide when he looked certain to score. The Reds came close again when Gerrard hit a free kick just over the Charlton crossbar and Dirk Kuyt brought a good save out Charlton's own debutant 'keeper Randolph, but they would go in behind at half time. You expected a reaction from the Reds after the break, but Charlton were playing without pressure for the first time in a long time and they should have made it 2-0 almost straight away when Zheng Zhi swapped passes with Bent before shooting wide in a chance identical to Arbeloa's. Liverpool responded with a Kuyt shot wide, but it was Charlton who continued to carry the greater threat and Zheng Zhi missed another guilt edged chance, this time with his head, after Sam's cross had found him in acres of space in the Liverpool penalty area. Rafa tried to change the shape of the game when he introduced Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso for Bolo Zenden and Alvaro Arbeloa and the change paid instant dividends when Kewell's cross lead to Alonso equalizing in the 62nd minute. Kewell's cross was headed back to the penalty spot by Kuyt, where Alonso was waiting to slot the ball home. The goal changed the mood and from looking like they would limp to a disappointing loss, Liverpool looked the likely winners. And when Harry Kewell smashed an unstoppable volley against the Charlton crossbar it looked just a matter of time before they'd score again. We almost had the goal everyone craved when Kuyt's flick put Fowler clear only for the brilliant intervention of Young to stop him scoring at the Kop End. But Charlton stunned Anfield again when they regained the lead through Darren Bent in the 71st minute. Song had hit the post just a couple of minutes earlier, but Bent made no mistake when the ball came to him on the right of the area and he rammed the ball home. Harry Kewell almost drew Liverpool level again when he brought a fine save out of Randolph, but he wasn't to be denied and he scored from the spot to ensure the Reds wouldn't head for Athens on the back of a defeat.

[aliando]

gerard to sign new contract

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/6623927.stm

[nastro 1888]

just watching andriy voronin, ukrainian striker liverpool-bound, playing for leverkusen - looks a crackin player !

[Darren]

Originally Posted by nastro 1888

just watching andriy voronin, ukrainian striker liverpool-bound, playing for leverkusen - looks a crackin player !

Seriously? Not heard anyone say anything good about him yet, and I had him down as a wooden one.

[Darren]

Lots of sites going with the story that Phil Neal is to return to Liverpool to work at the academy. Would be a good appointment I think, met him a few times and he is a smashing bloke who has lots of love for the club and plenty of experience to boot.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

[aliando]

Originally Posted by Darren

Lots of sites going with the story that Phil Neal is to return to Liverpool to work at the academy. Would be a good appointment I think, met him a few times and he is a smashing bloke who has lots of love for the club and plenty of experience to boot.

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

- not sure i'd be too pleased with him on the coaching staff.

i remember him from managing cardiff, and me and the lads still affectionately remember his stay for the "dole queue". Basically, free kick to the city and you could see it was straight from the training ground - several players lined up in the middle of the park in a tangent from the goal line ready for the cross. Cross comes in and the movement starts just before the ball is hit - they all have their plan of where to go. Such a fcuking shame that a) they all ran the same way and b) the ball was hit to the other side of the goal. If it hadnt been my team, i'd still be laughing now!

[davidmphill]

He hasn't got a great history of management to be honest. He did a decent job whilst at Bolton in the early days of his management career. No doubting his ability as a player and his passion for the club. Doesn't make sense that Rafa got shot of Steve Heighway a guy with a proven history of bringing quality youth players through with someone (Neal) who from what I believe hasn't.

[Darren]

Heighway was in total control of the academy though. Its restructuring now and several new people are being brought in. I know we got the Southampton Youth Academy guy in last season (sorry I don't even know his name ), but from what I have been told and read Rafa wants a total restructure of the academy.

When Houllier left we had pretty much no one at the academy who was ever going to make it through, and we haven't really since Owen and Gerrard progressed.

For the amount we spend on it we have a very poor return. Anyone released has gone to League 1/2 on a free apart from Potter who went to Wolves for a small fee. Getting very little return from it over the last lot of years.

[davidmphill]

Taken from the BBC Site

Benitez to revamp Liverpool squad
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is preparing to make wholesale changes to the Reds squad - even if they win the Champions League final on Wednesday.

Benitez is targeting a second European Cup in three seasons with victory over AC Milan in Athens' Olympic Stadium.
"The final has to be just a stopping point on the way," said Benitez.
"We can improve and the team must be pro-active. We can improve by bringing in players with character and quality. We need to keep going forward."
After winning the Champions League two years ago, Benitez got rid of Vladimir Smicer, Igor Biscan and Milan Baros, with penalty hero Jerzy Dudek sidelined by the arrival of Jose Reina.

The aim is not just to win the European Cup, we want to make a better challenge in the Premiership Rafael Benitez

The Spaniard says he wants Liverpool to challenge for the Premiership and is set to be handed a big transfer fund by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
"A second Champions League final in three seasons shows what can be done but we want to achieve even more," added Benitez.
"This is going to be an important summer because we want to maintain our progress and keep going forward next season.
"Another European Cup would be very welcome but the aim is not just to win this trophy, it is to be stronger all round, so we can make a better challenge for the Premiership next season.
"I am happy with my players but we need to improve to challenge in the Premiership.
"It is important not to think that by getting to the final we have done everything, because we have the potential to be one of the biggest clubs in Europe in every way.
"We are already one of the most famous names in football, but we have the chance to take advantage of our position.
"The new owners have already seen what is possible here. Every time we have spoken, it has been positive, and we will talk again after the final."
Hicks, meanwhile, says he and Gillett will support Benitez in the transfer market.
Liverpool have recently been linked with moves for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Athletico Madrid's Fernando Torres, along with a host of other players.
"I know we will make changes," Hicks told the Liverpool Echo. "I think Rafa will be a very busy man after Wednesday.
"Next year we want to contend for both the Premiership and Champions League. Actually, we want to challenge for all four competitions.
"In the Premiership, you need depth of players and motivated players. There's no problem finding the motivation to beat Barcelona or Chelsea. "We know we have to have more consistency."

[davidmphill]

Key to that is the last sentance where he mentions consistency! Thats whats fcuked me off over the years, the lack of it!

[Carl]

Liverpool have recently been linked with moves for Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Athletico Madrid's Fernando Torres, along with a host of other players.

Blackburn have been given permission to speak the Craig Bellamy so hopefully Rafa will let him go as he bids to bring in other strikers.

[PAULM03]

Originally Posted by Carl

Blackburn have been given permission to speak the Craig Bellamy so hopefully Rafa will let him go as he bids to bring in other strikers.

Didn't Bellamy say he didn't play for shit clubs?

[Sharpe1ne]

Originally Posted by PAULM03

Didn't Bellamy say he didn't play for shit clubs?

That's why he's not going to Man Utd

[Darren]

Athens flags
http://liverpool.rivals.net/default....2&stid=8447437

and some more
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70521-0854.htm