Liverpool thread

[Darren]

I don't know whether to laugh or cry at this UEFA report. Its a complete nonsense.

I won't defend those fans who stole tickets to gain entry or got in with no ticket. The latter is a total fault of UEFA. Those fans though should hang their heads in shame.

The report also poses the most stupid question:

"You must ask yourself why at the same match, with the same conditions, there was no trouble with the Milan fans - only the Liverpool fans."

Could that be because Milan couldn't sell there allocation of 17,000 and returned tickets? While Liverpool had in and around 50k of fans in Athens. The question that should be asked is how did Liverpool fans end up in the AC Milan official end of the stadium.

UEFA can be thankful as well, both in that no one was killed and that AC Milan beat Man Utd in the semi final. They failed badly to stop a huge black market for tickets and forgeries and if it was a Man Utd - Liverpool final you would probably have to have expected around 120k+ of English fans in Athens for the event.

The Champions League final is the biggest club game on earth, and UEFA just don't seem to understand in the slightest how fanatical fans of some British clubs are. If Celtic, Rangers, Newcastle, Everton, Liverpool, Man Utd and others are in that final, they will go in mass numbers, even without a ticket. Because as has been seen before they will get one.

What UEFA need to do is open their eyes to this. Allocate sensible numbers of tickets as the UEFA family are clearly all selling theres anyway. Create tickets that are almost unforgeable, and cut out as much of the black market as possible. And a stadium suitable to host the event would also go a long way. The Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul was also totally inept, Milan also couldn't sell all of there allocation and Liverpool fans must have filled close to three quarters of it.

And UEFA should also ask themselves why so many fans with genuine tickets never got into the game. The inept handling of the match is something they seem to be choosing to ignore.

Rant over, for now.

[Darren]

Platini has contradicted the UEFA report then:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/footba...070605?rpc=401&

[Darren]

I'm starting to warm to Tom Hicks

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/200...236053-ap.html

[davidmphill]

I don't think the UEFA report is worthy if any of my time, sure some of the fans have fcuked up but so have many an other clubs.

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by Darren

I'm starting to warm to Tom Hicks

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/200...236053-ap.html

He's only saying what many of us think.

Where are the big name signings??

Utd have spent nigh on £50m and currently all Liverpool have to show is a few unheard of kids and Voronin who I ain't exactly excited about.

[aliando]

same as dave - not really bothered about platini's attempts to make himself look big - hope he has dossiers about the italian league and other clubs with troublesome followings otherwise its going to look a tad vindictive

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Where are the big name signings??

Utd have spent nigh on £50m and currently all Liverpool have to show is a few unheard of kids and Voronin who I ain't exactly excited about.

Give it time, its a long summer Realistically would have to hope all major signings are done so the players start with us at the start of pre season.

Just getting the first in the door would be a start though.

There is talk (vague hints then) of it, but not got any good liinks on this

http://www.lfconline.com/news/loadne...TMNW&id=340283

[aliando]

legendary defender tommy smith has had a heart attack - get well soon mate


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/6727365.stm

[Darren]

Originally Posted by aliando

legendary defender tommy smith has had a heart attack - get well soon mate


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/6727365.stm

Sorry to hear of this.

Get well soon Smithy.

[davidmphill]

Aye, sad news. He never shirked a challenge in his playing career and I hope he can bounce back from this.

[Darren]

REINA SIGNS UNTIL 2012 Paul Eaton 07 June 2007
	Liverpool have today confirmed that goalkeeper Pepe Reina has signed a new contract which will keep him at Anfield until 2012.
The Reds have moved quickly to secure the services of their number one goalkeeper on a new five year deal following two excellent seasons with the Reds. Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv from Spain this afternoon, Reina said: "I am very happy with this contract. It was always my wish to sign a new deal because this is a good club which is looking forward to a very ambitious and attractive project. "The details of the contract were very straightforward. Rick Parry and the American owners made everything easy and in the end it was a good solution for the club and a good solution for me. "I spoke with Rafa and his thoughts for the future really excited me. He has ambitions for the team which I want to be part of and I'm sure the other players feel the same. The idea now for all of us is to keep winning matches and to challenge for titles. That's what we'll be looking for from the start of next season. "Our fans deserve the league title and that's what we'll be looking for. Seventeen years without winning it is far too long for this club and that's why our biggest target next year has to be the Premiership." Reina also admitted the thought of playing in Liverpool's brand new stadium was an appealing prospect when deciding to pledge the next five years of his career to the Reds. "It was definitely one of the reasons behind the decision," he said. "In an ideal world we'd stay at Anfield but we understand we have to move for a number of reasons. I just hope we can have the same atmosphere in the new stadium. I'm so excited at the thought of being part of it."

[Darren]

ALONSO SIGNS FOR FIVE MORE YEARS Paul Eaton 08 June 2007
	Xabi Alonso has become the fourth Liverpool player this week to sign a new contract at Anfield after penning a deal which will keep him at the club until 2012.
With Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina already signed up on long term deals, Alonso's decision to resist offers from abroad is another major boost for manager Rafael Benitez as he plans for the future. "I knew there was interest from other clubs but it was always my idea to stay here," said Alonso. "I have been here for three seasons now and have such special feelings for the club and the supporters. I understand what Liverpool FC means to so many people. It is such a special club and I just didn't want to leave. "We agreed that the talks would take place after the Champions League final and, to be honest, in the end it was a simple decision for me because I could see right away that the attitude of the club towards me was spot on. I greatly appreciate all the hard work that Rick Parry has put in on this contract and the faith that Rafa Benitez has shown in me. We all wanted to reach an agreement and we're all happy with the outcome. "I want to be part of what lies ahead because I know it is going to be exciting. I've signed for another five years and there's no reason why we can't be successful. "It's also good news to see that other players have signed new contracts this week. Stevie, Carra and Pepe are all big players for us and it's great they have all shown their commitment. I'm sure the manager will be bringing in new players as well and that the new owners will be making a big effort to improve the squad." After representing his country in Euro 2008 qualifiers over the past week Alonso is now looking forward to a well earned summer break - but he admits he's already dreaming about what next season may hold for the club. "I'm really excited because I think we can achieve big things," he added. "Hopefully we won't make the same mistakes next season as we did last season and we can win some more games. We want to be challenging for the top teams. "Even though I'm looking forward to a holiday and a rest I can't wait for next season to begin." The Spanish midfielder is also relishing the prospect of fighting for his place following Javier Mascherano's successful start to his Liverpool career in the centre of the field. "It's great to have competition and I am ready to fight for my place," he said. "The more top quality players we have then the better the level of the team will be. I'm confident I can play a lot of minutes on the pitch and keep the confidence of the manager."

[Punto Banco]

Originally Posted by Darren

... not too sure how I feel about this... I was a big fan of axing Alonso but now I guess it really comes down to how he is used... as a rotational player I have no issues with this, but I really cant bear the pain of seeing him in the starting line up of big games... no offence to the man he has done many good things for the club but i really find it hard to see him in the clubs future as a starter unless he piks up in form alot especially if we are to have premiership aspirations next season....

[Darren]

Originally Posted by MaKDaddYSportsBET

... not too sure how I feel about this... I was a big fan of axing Alonso but now I guess it really comes down to how he is used... as a rotational player I have no issues with this, but I really cant bear the pain of seeing him in the starting line up of big games... no offence to the man he has done many good things for the club but i really find it hard to see him in the clubs future as a starter unless he piks up in form alot especially if we are to have premiership aspirations next season....

Unsure myself what to make of it. I thought he was going this summer tbh. Thats highly unlikely given he has a new 5 year deal.

The central midfield is looking a bit too crowded. There is talk of Momo going, but at the same time talk of him also getting a new deal. How many holding midfielders do we need? The Brazilian Lucas from what I have been told by those who watch him is more like Gerrard in style than any of the others. Alosno is more creative than mascherano and Sissoko.

But do we really need 5 centre mids? 451 hasn't suited us much at all, I'd rather not see it much at all in the new season. If Sissoko is sold then we probably have 4 different types of CM, which is fine. I think

[Punto Banco]

Originally Posted by Darren

Unsure myself what to make of it. I thought he was going this summer tbh. Thats highly unlikely given he has a new 5 year deal.

The central midfield is looking a bit too crowded. There is talk of Momo going, but at the same time talk of him also getting a new deal. How many holding midfielders do we need? The Brazilian Lucas from what I have been told by those who watch him is more like Gerrard in style than any of the others. Alosno is more creative than mascherano and Sissoko.

But do we really need 5 centre mids? 451 hasn't suited us much at all, I'd rather not see it much at all in the new season. If Sissoko is sold then we probably have 4 different types of CM, which is fine. I think

... very correct... This is a solid indication we will never see Gerrard in the middile again... I too thought Mascherano and newcommer Lucas would be enough for our Midfield... its really hard 2 map out the team ATM as we have been promissed a few more changes... I cant help but feel we may slip into old habbits... too early 2 tell and we have had a good signing or two... If we hold on too Sissoko tho I really dont know what to think... I guess it comes down to how we can get rid of Zenden as Quickly as possible!!!!! lol JK... well kind of... 2 early to tell... 2 early in the morn (2.30am)... I really dont know....

[Darren]

Originally Posted by MaKDaddYSportsBET

... very correct... This is a solid indication we will never see Gerrard in the middile again... I too thought Mascherano and newcommer Lucas would be enough for our Midfield... its really hard 2 map out the team ATM as we have been promissed a few more changes... I cant help but feel we may slip into old habbits... too early 2 tell and we have had a good signing or two... If we hold on too Sissoko tho I really dont know what to think... I guess it comes down to how we can get rid of Zenden as Quickly as possible!!!!! lol JK... well kind of... 2 early to tell... 2 early in the morn (2.30am)... I really dont know....

If Sissoko signs a new deal I'll be concerned. I like the player and what he does for the team, but with Alonso penning a new deal and Mascherano a better player in the same role, I don't see what use he is to us.

Been annoyed as well (like most Liverpool fans I guess) by our lack of movement in the transfer market. We seem to do a lot of big talking and not much in the way of action. There were rumours Man U would go for Nani, but before you knew it they had signed Nani and Anderson for big money. We have signed a lot of youngsters, but nothing other than Lucas that can have any impact on the first team in the next season or two. Pre Season is about a month away, where are the big new signings?

I think its safe to say Zenden won't be staying. His contract is up and as far as I am aware he is a free agent now, he isn't being kept.

[Darren]

Padelli leaves Liverpool

By Andrew Scurr - Created on 8 Jun 2007

LIVERPOOL SEASON REVIEW DVD
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• Daniele Padelli

Daniele Padelli has returned to Sampdoria after his loan spell at Liverpool came to an end.
The young goalkeeper had been hoping to earn a permanent switch to the Premiership having arrived at Anfield in January on a deal until the end of the season.
Padelli made just one start for Rafa Benitez's side during his time in England, that outing coming against Charlton on the final day of last term.
Benitez has already let youth team keeper David Roberts and Champions League hero Jerzy Dudek depart this summer.
Only Jose Reina, Scott Carson and youngsters David Martin and Martin Hansen remain on the books at Liverpool, with Carson keen for another season out on loan.
The England shot-stopper spent last year with Charlton and wants to gain further first-team experience rather than become Reina's back-up. Benitez may therefore be in the market for a new goalkeeper over the summer to act as Liverpool's number two next term.

[davidmphill]

I'd be suprised to see Sissoko an Anfield next season. I think the signing of Mascherano during the season more or less sealed his fate.
I know some people have raved on about his performances but he just doesn't do it for me. I've seen talk of Juventus looking at him, if so let them do a deal.
Happy the club are signing the key players to long term deals now is the time for the new faces we were promised.

[Carl]

BLACKBURN Rovers' summer transfer plans hinge on Rafa Benitez's bid to sign a top striker for Liver-pool.

Benitez is poised to spend big on a proven goalscorer as he attempts to turn the Merseysiders into serious title-contenders next season, and that will spark a transfer merry-go-round that could result in Craig Bellamy coming back to Ewood.

Rovers chief Mark Hughes recently met with chairman John Williams to discuss a number of possible targets, and it is understood that Bellamy's name was at the top of his wish-list.



However, Bellamy's future at Anfield will not be decided until Benitez has landed his own transfer targets, which leaves Rovers in a state of limbo for the time being.
Liverpool chief Benitez is believed to be chasing Valencia striker David Villa and Barcelona hit-man Samuel Eto'o, and the club's new American co-owner, Tom Hicks, hinted earlier this week that a major signing is imminent.
Once that happens, Bellamy's situation at Anfield will then become much clearer, which could open the door for Hughes to strike.