No Crouch talks for Pompey

Ben91 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 9:12 pm

My post when the rumours surfaced Immortal:

Ben91 wrote:

Sammy Lee is in talks with Liverpool to become Benitez's assistant manager.

That's very good news after Pako left back in September - you always need someone to run ideas by and keep you from doing the blatantly stupid, and also compliment your own attributes. We haven't had that this season. Sammy was an inexperienced manager taking the Bolton job on, and could well be utter crap as one anyway, but he's a top-notch coach and will be a great addition.

But if the players struggle to understand Carragher they have no chance with him.

It'll be one of the best signings we make this season, definitely. Excellent news.

Ben91 · Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 11:20 pm

Quote:

Liverpool YOUNGSTER SIGNS NEW DEAL

Liverpool�s young goalkeeper David Martin has signed a new contract with the Anfield club.
The highly rated twenty-two-year-old shot-stopper has signed a two-year extension, which will keep him at the club until June of 2010.

Martin is the number one goalkeeper for the Liverpool reserves under reserve team coach Gary Ablett as part of a side that won a reserve treble this season.

This season he has served as the understudy to Jose Reina and Charles Itandje, but with Itandje�s future uncertain and with �keeper Scott Carson, who is currently on loan at Aston Villa set for a permanent move elsewhere in order to attain first team football, there is a chance that Martin could be promoted to number two goalkeeper next year � unless manager Rafa Benitez buys in the transfer market.

Martin is yet to make an appearance for the Liverpool full side since signing from the MK Dons in January of 2006. Competition for a first team position next season will be fierce amongst the Anfield goalkeeper�s with number one keeper Reina firmly established at the club having won the Premier League�s Golden Glove award for three successive seasons.

Can't see what future he has at Liverpool in all honesty. Reina is still relatively young, and Bouzanis from the reserves probably is a better prospect to make the first team.

Still, he's an okay third choice 'keeper to have currently, if it ever came to that.

Quote:

DEFENDER DEAL TIED UP

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has reportedly agreed personal terms with Swiss defender Philipp Degen who will join on a free transfer.
Degen will arrive on a 'Bosman' from Borussia Dortmund after his contract expired, but the 25-year-old has been out of action for long periods this year.

The ex-Basel defender was dogged by a knee injury earlier in the campaign and has now been frozen out by his club after contract renewal talks broke down.

Dortmund know Degen is destined for the Premiership and have refused to play him since the end of April.

I actually thought this deal was off after he rebuffed links we had with him in April. You can't really lose out on a free signing, considering we have cover (Arbeloa/Carragher) to ensure the risk is minimal.

Quote:

Liverpool �WIN� DOSSENA
Udinese defender Andrea Dossena is expected to sign for Liverpool.

Dossena, one of two Liverpool targets at the Serie A club for the past several months, had been rumoured to have chosen Juventus; but his agent Federico Pastorello has spent the past few days in England negotiating terms for the 26-year-old, who recently won his first cap for Italy.

Quote:

ITALIANS PLAY DOWN REDS LINK

Udinese have claimed that there is �nothing concrete� in reports linking Liverpool with defender Andrea Dossena.

The Italy international has impressed for Udinese this season and it has been suggested that he could be a summer target for Rafa Benitez.

Dossena has played 34 games in the Italian top flight this season and Udinese clearly have little intention of letting either him or team-mate Antonio Di Natale leave the club.

�We have always said that we will not change the team,� said director general Pietro Leonardi to Radio Kiss Kiss

�For Dossena to Liverpool there is nothing concrete, he has a contract with us until 2012 and the rest is speculation.

�Di Natale is an anchor of our project and the same applies to him as to Dossena.�

To be honest, i don't know anything about him so don�t know if he�d be a good signing. We've been linked with him and his team-mate Inler for a while, but dunno how much there is in it.

Anyone know where in defence he plays? I'd of assumed full-back...

Quote:

Liverpool STAR RUBBISHES �10M+ LA LIGA SWITCH

Xabi Alonso is not about to quit Liverpool Football Club.

The Spanish international has been linked with a return to his homeland with Real Madrid, but the former Real Sociedad ace insists he plans to stay at Anfield and fight for his place in the starting eleven.

"It surprises me because I know the real truth," Alonso told Sky Sports. "There has been no movement from Real Madrid, whether official or otherwise. At the moment I am with Liverpool and I want to be at Liverpool.

"I have a contract at Liverpool. I have been surprised and very disappointed to read that I want to leave Liverpool. The people who write these things have clearly not done very rigorous research."

I really don't think he's going to leave. Unless Benitez wanted him out; but he's on of his favourites, alongside Reina, so i couldn't see it happening. Not unless some like Real offered silly money.

Quote:

Liverpool LINKED WITH RIERA

Liverpool are eyeing a move for Espanyol midfielder Albert Riera, according to reports emanating from Spain.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is rumoured to be a keen admirer of the 26-year-old Spain international.

It is claimed that Liverpool may offer a fee in the region of �8million with winger Sebastian Leto, who signed at Anfield in 2007, included in the deal.

However, former Reds scout Paco Herrera, now at Espanyol, has revealed that the club would be unwilling to accept a part-exchange offer.

"It is certain that we are interested in Leto, but our idea is to prepare a separate deal for Riera," Herrera said.

Tottenham Hotspur and Fiorentina are also rumoured to be interested in securing Riera's signature.

Supposed to have been a revelation in Spain since his Man City days. This wouldn't be a surprise to me, and by the sounds of it there is some real substance to the story - if he added competition to the left side of our midfield that'd be great.

Quote:

RUSSIAN SUPERSTAR ON HIS WAY TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE BUT WILL IT BE TO Liverpool, Everton OR Arsenal?

Uefa Cup winning Zenit St Petersburg star Andrei Arshavin has the Premier League on red alert after his club manager Dick Advocaat announced he expected him to leave this summer. The 26-year-old Russian captain put on a star performance in the 2-0 final win over Rangers at Eastlands on Wednesday night and has been linked to a number of the biggest clubs in England.

He has an excellent pedigree domestically after being named Russian Footballer of the Year in 2006 as well winning a number of awards voted by the Soviet press. He can play on either flank as well as a second striker so would be a perfect acquisition for a number of clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton.

The Reds need some much needed flair to mount a serious title challenge and a player that is as versatile as Arshavin would fit into Rafa Benitez�s plans perfectly. On the other hand the Gunners also need reinforcements, particularly if Alexander Hleb departs as is expected. David Moyes has been linked with the Russian for some time and his acquisition would boost a squad that ran out of steam at the final hurdle and perhaps lacked the star quality to compete with the big 4 when they encountered them.

Arshavin has won over 30 caps for his country and has already reached double figures in international goals. He has won a domestic League Cup, a Russian title and now the Uefa Cup so is used to winning trophies. The Russian international has a record of nearly 1 goal in every 4 games domestically so could boost the firepower of the club he finally joins.

His man of the match display on Wednesday in setting up both Zenit�s goals further emphasized the players� quality so expect a bidding war from the Premier League big guns soon.

Wouldn�t say no to him at all but i doubt we�re interested somehow.

J-Axe · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 12:36 am

Ben king of the Rumourhoooors 91.

ImmortaL · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:18 am

No Crouch talks for Pompey:

Quote:

Chief executive Peter Storrie said: "It's a lot of nonsense to say we were negotiating to buy him last night.

"We are all concentrating on the FA Cup final."

http://www.espnstar.com/epl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7042675

sb5 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 2:40 pm

Liverpool squad next year i think will be

1.maik taylor/canizares
2.degen
3.skrtel
4.hyypia
5.agger
6.barry
7.joaquin/silva/malouda/riera
8.gerrard
9.torres
10.voronin
11.benayoun
12.aurelio
14.alonso
15.zarate
17.arbeloa
18.kuyt
19.babel
20.mascherano
21.lucas
23.carragher
25.reina

+ hobbs,insua,plessis and nemeth occasionaly

20.mascherano

Ben91 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 10:15 pm

You're lacking a left-back there mate. Okay Barry can cover, but I'm sure Benitez will make sure every position has two natural players to play there... especially since i think he's on the look out for a potential first-choice left-back.

It changes often to be honest, but my thinking has cemented a little over the past week or so:

25 Pepe Reina
13 Cover Keeper
40 David Martin

17 �lvaro Arbeloa
22 Philipp Degen

23 Jamie Carragher
3 Martin �krtel
5 Daniel Agger
4 Sami Hyypi�

2 Andreas Dossena
12 F�bio Aur�lio

7 Right-Winger
11 Yossi Benayoun

8 Steven Gerrard
20 Javier Mascherano
6 G�r�th B�rry
14 Xabi Alonso
21 Lucas

10 Ryan Babel
16 Albert Riera

9 Fernando Torres
15 Peter Crouch
18 Dirk Kuyt

The following i think will be in contention to feature in the Carling Cup:

33 Sebasti�n Leto
39 Stephen Darby
42 Nabil El Zhar
45 Mikel San Jos�
47 Damien Plessis
48 Emiliano Ins�a
(-) Kriszti�n N�meth

It would be very cool if Babel were given the #10 shirt that Voronin currently wears - i sense if we get an okay offer Voronin will go. It'd probably be between him and Kuyt for it, but Babel would be my choice.

PS. Now Gareth Barry fits in. Wink

Ben91 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 11:16 pm

Quote:

Liverpool LOOK TO SWOOP ON ANDREAS DOSSENA

Andrea Dossena, Udinese

Liverpool are ready to swoop for highly rated Italian international defender Andreas Dossena.

Rafa Benitez has identified the 26-year-old Udinese star as the man to fill his problem left back position and reports emanating from Italy suggest preliminary talks have already taken place between Reds officials and Dossena's advisers.

Dossena only recently signed a new four and a half year deal with Udinese but the Serie A club is believed to be ready to do business should anyone be prepared to meet their asking price for a player who is regarded as one of the most improved in Italian football in recent seasons.

That fee could be as high as �8m, particularly with several other European clubs being on Dossena's trail.

But with the out of favour John Arne Riise set to be sold during the summer the cash raised from his likely sale would help offset the cost of Dossena should Liverpool's pursuit of him prove fruitful.

Dossena made his debut for the Italian national team in November when Azzuri manager Roberto Donadoni awarded him his first cap in a friendly fixture against South Africa and he is in contention for a place in the Italy squad for Euro 2008.

Renowned for his ability to get forward into attacking positions, Dossena has featured at both left back and wing back for Udinese, who finished seventh in Serie A last season.

With Fabio Aurelio's ongoing injury problems and the promising Emiliano Insua still considered too young for regular first team football, Benitez is keen to bring in a new left sided defender at the earliest opportunity.

Dossena is his first choice to fill that role and the Reds boss will be looking to tie up a deal for the Italian as his summer squad rebuilding programme gets under way in earnest.

This is looking increasingly likely. He's Italian (so that guarentees he can defend) and as it says is known for attacking, which we sorely need in my opinion. I've not seen him play but if he's deemed good enough by Rafa i'd be happy to see him join. Seems to fit the description anyway.

Quote:

FULHAM JOIN RACE FOR CARSON

Premier League survivors Fulham have joined the race to sign Scott Carson, who is set to be one of three goalkeepers to leave Liverpool this summer.

Anfield manager Rafa Benitez will try to sign Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor as back-up for Pepe Reina.

Reina's current deputy, Charles Itandje, has been told he will be allowed to find another club, while young prospect David Martin will go out on loan next season to gain experience.

Liverpool's �10 million asking price for Carson has been rebuffed by Aston Villa, where the England goalkeeper has spent the past year on loan.

But Fulham owner Mohamed Al Fayed would be interested at a more realistic price, with both his current goalkeepers Kasey Keller and Antti Niemi in their thirties.

Carson does not want to spend next season at Anfield as Reina's deputy.

If we could find �6m for him i'd be very pleased with that. That's more realistic anyway... we know we aren't going to get the �10m after his mistakes.

I'd also be glad to see him at Fulham too.

Quote:

PENNANT ON WAY OUT AS Liverpool COVET BENTLEY

Jermaine Pennant was officially told by Rafael Benitez yesterday that he can leave Liverpool this summer as the club try to organise their resources to muster a serious bid for the Blackburn Rovers winger David Bentley. Pennant is a long-term target of Newcastle and Benitez is looking, at the very least, to recoup the �6.7m he spent on the player in 2006.

Pennant had been left to wait to learn his fate at Liverpool, although his gradual marginalisation this season, culminating in his omission from the squad for the final two League games, was a clear indicator that his time was up at Anfield. The 25-year-old was also one of three players offered as a potential makeweight in the �10m-rated deal to bring Gareth Barry to Liverpool. Yesterday, Benitez told Pennant, who has also attracted the interest of West Ham, that he could leave if the club got a price they thought was acceptable.

The top target to replace Pennant is Bentley who has already turned down a new contract at Blackburn worth between �40,000 and �50,000 a week � he has three years on his existing deal. Bentley would cost around �15m and is in demand this summer because clubs are eager to recruit young English players in case Fifa push through their quotas proposal that would insist on a certain ratio of homegrown players in every first XI.

For reasons that he has kept to himself, Benitez has insisted that the Liverpool players train from Wednesday to Friday this week although their season is over. While every other Premier League club barring Manchester United, Chelsea and Portsmouth have sent their players on holiday for the summer, the Liverpool manager called his squad in this week. More pressing for Benitez, however, is finding the funds to refit his squad again this summer.

Bentley for Pennant may look like a natural swap but the Liverpool manager will encounter competition from Chelsea and Tottenham for Bentley, although the strength of the London clubs' interest in the player is not yet clear. In the meantime, Benitez is trying to wring as much money as possible out of fees for his saleable assets in order to strengthen his squad.

Peter Crouch, valued at �15m by Benitez earlier this month, is not in talks with Portsmouth, as has been reported. The England striker, who is part of Fabio Capello's squad for the two end-of-season friendlies, is still waiting to learn whether the Liverpool manager is serious about demanding such an unrealistic fee for him. Portsmouth have already denied they were in negotiations for Crouch who has one year left on his contract and has not yet been given permission by Liverpool to discuss personal terms with any other club.

Scott Carson has also expressed dismay at the �10m price that Benitez has imposed on him. Now it seems the Spaniard's prohibitive valuations of both the England goalkeeper and Crouch are beginning to work against him as he tries to raise money quickly for summer signings. Potential clubs are simply waiting for the valuations to drop before they even begin to consider negotiating for the players in question. John Arne Riise has attracted interest from Serie A clubs as well as Newcastle and is another whom Benitez wants to use to raise cash.

The Liverpool manager needs something to break the current impasse in his club's transfer dealings.
The Barry deal with Aston Villa is currently going nowhere; Crouch's future is unresolved and there is still the distinct possibility that Dubai International Capital will gain control of the club at some point this summer. Against that backdrop there will have to be some compromise over the next few weeks if Benitez is to get the ball rolling on his plans for this summer.

So far he has tied up the signing of the Swiss right-back Philipp Degen, 25, who will sign a four-year deal when he becomes a free agent later this month. The Borussia Dortmund player has been a long-term target for Benitez and he tried to sign him when he was Valencia manager just before he left for Liverpool in 2004.

Benitez said yesterday he was glad about the return of Sammy Lee to Liverpool as his assistant. "He knows about the passion of the club and about the standards that we set here so that will make it much easier for him to settle into his new role," Benitez said.

Hmm. In two minds about this one.

Firstly i think Pennant leaving is a tad harsh. He's a better right-winger than Benayoun (bearing in mind Yossi should not be played out wide in my opinion) and has done very well for us on occasion, particularly the second half of last season and at the beginning of this one. He's inevitably going to leave though.

Secondly, Bentley - is he good enough. Whilst he's a fine player, i can't help but feel we need a top, top quality winger for that position if we're going to mount any kind of title siege. I'd take him as a decent option, but he wouldn't be my first choice. He'd have to take the move to a big club in his stride and improve his game on top of what it is already - making plenty of assists and importantly scoring goals, as that's something we do lack in the league from players other than Torres and Gerrard. If he doesn't thrive on the move up we'll be destined for another campaign of wingers who aren't good enough to break down the other Big Four sides up, which could cost us.

His price puts me off mainly. �12million would be the most i'd expect to pay for him.

J-Axe · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 11:19 pm

Torres, Kuyt and Voronin?

That's probably the weakest area. If Torres gets injured, where's the goals?

I would have thought that it'd be the key area for transfer rumours.

mrtz · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 11:22 pm

Voronin could very well be on his way back to Germany if rumors are true.

We can keep Crouch for another year and that would be sufficient as a number 2 for Torres. If he goes, either we'll try to buy a cheap replacement or perhaps Nemeth will get a chance to feature at least in the Carling Cup.

Ben91 · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 11:24 pm

I've got Torres, Crouch and Kuyt in there. Plus Babel is capable of playing in attack if need be. And i don't think Kuyt, with confidence, is anywhere near as bad as he was earlier in the season. He's had a season where he's neither played in his preferred position nor had any great confidence.

If Crouch left, which i still am not convinced he will, then we'll require a replacement yes.

buenoake · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 2:16 pm

I'd much prefer to have Pennant as cover on the right than Benayoun and if Rafa continues with the current formation we would need four or five players to be in contention for the title. The acquisition of Barry makes me think he may revert to a four-four-two with Barry on the left, but i think it's Barry's versatility which has attracted Benitez and he will remain with a four-three-three with perhaps one defensive midfielder rather than two. This considered, my team would be:

Goal Keeper
Reina> Maik Taylor> David Martin

Right-Back
Arbeloa> Finnan

Centre-Backs
Skrtel/Carragher/Agger> Hyypia

Left-Back
Dossena> Aurelio

Right-wing
Bentley> Pennant

Defensive Mid-Fielders
Mascherano/Lucas/Alonso

Central Midfielders
Gerrard-Barry

Left-Wing
Babel/Riera

Centre-Forward
Torres> Kuyt/*Crouch

* Obafemi Martins would be my choice in place of Crouch if he were to leave Anfield

ImmortaL · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 4:22 pm

Gerrard wants Reds to splash the cash:

Quote:

Gerrard told the News of the World: "It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we're out of the title race again.

"Every year seems to be following the same routine.

"The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we're all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.

"The time to act is now, not in January when we're already too far behind.

The England midfielder admits he is desperate to win a league title, saying: "I've won every major honour at Liverpool except one. It hurts more and more not only to have never won the league, but to have never really gone close.

"It would be bad enough if we only narrowly missed out on the title, but we've never got to March or April recently and thought we were in contention.

"That's what we want more than anything at Anfield, but we'll only achieve that when everyone is working together for the same goal."

http://www.espnstar.com/epl/newsdetails.cmd?id=7042741

Quite desperate comments from him. A plea to the owners. But will it happen???

Xabi Alonso · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:18 pm

Chris Bascombe, (former Liverpool Echo now NOTW columist) did actually say a few weeks ago in a Liverpool pod cast on thisisanfield.com to expect one or more of the senior players to come out and make a stand about the owners. I gather this is it.

Cant see us spending big this summer, certainly not in the Torres mould (even though that signing was shouded in other player sales and propaganda!

These owners will not splash the cash full stop

Benraul · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:38 pm

anyone heard the disgraceful link with Stuart Dowling? a �12 mill bid i heard is being rumoured. From Bentley to Dowling. Why do we always opt for the back up. this will, if true, be 3 steps back! Man Utd or Chelsea would never settle for him.

Ben91 · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 7:59 pm

I heard "Liverpool will try to sign Stuart Dowing if they fail in their bid for Gareth Barry", which assures me that this is bullsh*t. Benitez will be signing Barry to bolster the centre of midfield; Downing wouldn't do this.

Plus it came from News of the World.

Benraul · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:21 pm

i also believe this to be shite but it is the same old and for us very probable. Torres seams to be the only major big name target we have actually been mentioned with and then succesfully brought to the club. We are always mentioned with big names yet fail to get them for one reason or the other, and settle for a back up.

While i too believe this to be rubbish, it annoys me it is even mentioned, even if it is in the news of the world.

shaggy · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 1:05 pm

Liverpool manger Rafael Benitez has confirmed the club have completed the bosman signing of Borrusia Dortmunds Swiss full back Phillip Degen.

Benitez: "Philipp is still young but has gained great experience from playing in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund and on the international stage with Switzerland,he also played in the Champions League during his time with Basel and so is used to top level football.

"He is an offensive player with great energy and a winning mentality. His strength is going forward and I am confident he will prove to be a quality addition to our squad."

Degen himself has stated he had no worries about joing Liverpool: "When I received the offer from Liverpool, there was no doubt I would accept it," he said. "They are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I am looking forward to the challenge of establishing myself there and playing in the best league there is."

Ben91 · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:26 pm

Pretty much anticipated this, after it was 'revealed' a month ago in the papers.

I'm not sure how good he is but hope we all give him a chance. Just 'cause he's on a free doens't mean he's utter crap. From small clips i've seen of him he's very quick and quite attacking - with Dossena linked to us also it's further indication that we're going to be playing a more attack-minded, adventurous game next season, with the full-backs linking up with attack much more.

And on another note, we now have a new team to support in the European Championships: SWITZERLAND!

Ben91 · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:50 pm

Quote:

Liverpool CLOSING IN ON DEGEN, BARRY & DOSSENA

RAFAEL BENITEZ is aiming to press on with his squad rebuilding this week as he closes on a trio of new arrivals.

Liverpool are ready to step up their interest in Italy international left-back Andreas Dossena now the Serie A season has ended.

Benitez has earmarked the 26-year-old Udinese player as a replacement for John Arne Riise, who is attracting interest from Newcastle United, Aston Villa and German Bundesliga outfit Schalke.

Odessa is thought to be available for around �8million, despite recently signing a new four-and-a-half-year contract with Udinese.

The Anfield outfit are also expecting a response this week from Aston Villa over the future of Gareth Barry, with Benitez confident of wrapping up a deal for the England international.

And Switzerland international right-back Philipp Degen will shortly be confirmed as a free transfer arrival from Borussia Dortmund during the summer.

Ideally, Benitez wants the bulk of his transfer dealings to have been completed before Euro 2008, which begins in less than three weeks.

Quote:

�13M SLOVAK IN TALKS WITH ANFIELD SWITCH

Napoli star Marek Ham��k is rumoured to be in talks with a move to Anfield after being courted by a host of scouts from across Europe.

Slovakian press are claiming a deal is in the process of being thrashed out with a view to sealing a permanent deal with the moneymen at Anfield.

Ham��k, a 20-year-old Slovak international midfielder, is also a wanted man by Serie A giants Juventus and are willing to match the �13million valuation slapped on his head by offering a combination of cash and players.

Chelsea are understood to be keen admirers also.

Ben91 · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 12:46 pm

Quote:

FRENCH KEEPER TIPPED FOR ANFIELD

Rafa Benitez is said to be lining up a move for Bordeaux goalkeeper Ulrich Rame, with Charles Itandje tipped to leave Anfield.

With Scott Carson expected to complete his permanent switch to Aston Villa, the Reds are likely to be looking for another goalkeeper this summer and former France international Rame is understood to be the top target.

The 35-year-old Rame is very experienced at the top level and was part of the France squads at Euro 2000 and the World Cup in 2002, also playing against the Reds in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Itandje acted as back-up to Pepe Reina this season after a last-gasp move from Lens due to Carson's late loan switch to Villa Park, but the 26-year-old failed to impress - conceding 10 goals in seven appearances.

It's claimed Benitez could try to tempt Bordeaux into a cash-plus-player deal, which would see Itandje heading back to France after just one season in England.

Fulham are also being touted as Finnan's next destination, with him returning to the club he left for us, as he's inevitably going to leave.

Rumours are that the Juve director Jean-Claude Blanc has flown in to Liverpool to try and strike a deal for Alonso also. I hope that is not true.

No Crouch talks for Pompey

Squad changes

Gerrard wants Reds to splash the cash