Buchtmann quit Liverpool

je ne comprends pas la phylosophie de notre academie, voila l'un des jeunes les plus prometteurs que l'on achète pour une somme intelligente malgrè la concurrence, qui se distingue en réserve et en équipe junior allemande mais on ne lui donne jamais sa chance en équipe première avant de le revendre pour une bouchée de pain (j'ai lu entre 100,000 et £2m). Où est la logique? Pourquoi personne donne d'explications? En 5 ans, seul Insua a sauté la pas, ca fait pas beaucoup! Mais au moins, il a fait ça malgré les progrès évidents qu'il lui restes à accomplir! Espérons qu'il y a réellement du monde qui frappe à la porte (mais il semble que l'on préfère bouleverser notre défense plutôt que de donner une chance à un Derby ou un défenseur central ou même un avant-centre, i semble qu'on en a à la pelle d'excellents, comme Nemeth par exemple dont on attend en équipe de jeunes sans arrêts avec des mentions exceptionnelles mais sans plus de retombées...

Could Roy be hitting Liverpool owners for six?

It was reported in the Times today that Liverpool are in negotiations with Indian businessman Subrata Roy. Discussions are at an early stage but reports suggest that Roy is demanding more than Tom Hicks and George Gillett are willing to sell. So is another potentially interested party really what Liverpool need or is this just another distraction for the Anfield club.

In the financing deal that Hicks and Gillett negotiated when they purchased the club they borrowed vast sums from the Royal Bank of Scotland. RBS are now demanding that they repay £100 million by July as they are frustrated at the lack of financial progress the Americans are making. Hicks and Gillett have therefore been casting a net far and wide to find an investor willing to invest the £100 million required for a 33% share in the club. This task has fallen to Christian Purslow, the clubs Managing Director, but as yet no firm interest has been found.

Subrata Roy is an Indian business tycoon, and the owner of Sahara. Many keen sports fans will know the name, as they are the sponsor of both the Indian cricket and hockey teams. Roy started the business from scratch and has grown it to a net worth of approximately £5 billion. Roy has a keen interest in sport and he was rumoured to be considering replacing AIG as Manchester United’s main sponsor.

In the aftermath of the problems faced by Portsmouth, money is no longer enough for some fans. There needs to be a level of decency and a strong character to be a popular investor. Despite his success there are some critics of Roy, who claim that his 700,000 employees are like a cult, with their own special greetings and phrases, with Roy at the head of the ‘family’. Such an odd criticism may put off some fans but unfortunately Liverpool are not in a position to be excessively selective of their new investors.

Liverpool struggles off the pitch have arguably affected the team’s performances this season. There needs to be stability at the top which can then filter down through the rest of the club. As Hicks and Gillett are unable to fund the club on their own then new investment is inevitable. Potential investors such as Roy are unwilling to cover the debts without the return of a majority shareholding. Hicks and Gillett are asking a lot to only offer a third of the club in return. It is believed therefore that Roy would want a 51% shareholding for a £237 million investment, removing all the clubs debts in the process.

With Liverpool so overtly searching for investment since the summer it seems as though they may have to accept a higher bid, despite their misgivings. Hicks and Gillett will ultimately have to accept losing their individual majorities in exchange for the prosperity of the club. In any other business scenario of course the Americans are fully entitled to hold out for the best possible offer. When business merges with sport however, the negotiation becomes blurred as other moral and fan issues become involved. Continued stalling has limited Rafa Benitez’s ability to improve his squad and the on pitch performances have suffered.

Subrata Roy may well be another name that is incorrectly linked with a Premier League football club. Many other wealthy men have lost considerable amounts of money as well as damaging their reputation by owning an English football club. The appeal of the Premier League is however universal and the wealthiest businessmen will continually look to own a club of their own. So long as the investor Liverpool eventually find is appropriate and passes stringent checks, of both finances and of their intentions then, for the sake of the club, I hope that Hicks and Gillett can swallow their pride and act in the best interest of Liverpool FC.

Liverpool back in Big Four

Jamie Carragher believes normal service has been resumed in Liverpool's defensive ranks - but warned the Reds will face a tough task in keeping Arsenal at bay on Wednesday evening.

Saturday's 1-0 victory over Everton moved Rafael Benitez's side into fourth place in the table and means they have now kept six clean sheets in their last seven Barclays Premier League outings.


Carragher admits the derby triumph has increased the 'feelgood factor' within the camp, and the vice-captain is eager for Liverpool to continue their defensive defiance at the Emirates.

"It is not just three points, it has a massive impact and everyone is buzzing," he said.

"But that can change if the result doesn't go our way at Arsenal.

"We beat Manchester United (in the league) and then played Arsenal in the Carling Cup and lost.

"It is important we keep that feelgood factor after the Arsenal game and that will be by making sure we get a good result.

"We are going into the game in a great frame of mind but Arsenal away is always difficult.

"We have been to the Emirates for a couple of years now and I don't think we've won there yet so it is something we are going to have to do sooner or later and hopefully Wednesday will be the time.

"For the last four or five years we have been good defensively under Rafa and we are just getting back to our normal selves.

"If you keep clean sheets you are going to win games."

Kuyt offre une victoire cruciale à Liverpool face à Everton

L'attaquant néerlandais Dirk Kuyt, auteur du but victorieux de Liverpool face à Everton (1-0) dans le derby de la Mersey, à Anfield lors de la 25e journée du Championnat d'Angleterre, a relancé les espoirs des Reds de décrocher une place en Ligue des champions la saison prochaine. Malgré l'exclusion du défenseur grec de Liverpool, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, peu après la demi-heure de jeu (34e) pour un tacle assassin sur Fellaini, Everton n'a pas su prendre le match en main.

Grâce à ce succès, les hommes de Rafael Benitez poursuivent leur belle série (sept matches sans défaite). "L'équipe a joué un très bon match. Pour nous, c'est un résultat crucial. J'ai senti que les supporteurs étaient vraiment derrière nous. Nous avons bien défendu et nous nous sommes montrés dangereux en contre", a jugé le technicien espagnol, qui a salué "l'engagement de ses joueurs".

Liverpool FC sign Serbia international Milan Jovanovic

RAFAEL BENITEZ’S summer squad rebuilding began in earnest yesterday when Milan Jovanovic sealed a move to Liverpool.
The Serbia international has signed a pre-contract agreement that will see him arrive from Belgian club Standard Liege at the end of the season.


Jovanovic’s consistently impressive form had attracted a clutch of potential suitors from across Europe, including Italian giants AC Milan.

He was reported to be stalling over a move to Liverpool until assurances were made over the long-term future of Benitez.

And the 29-year-old has now negotiated a three-year deal at Anfield that commits him to the club until at least 2013.

Jovanovic boasts a record of almost a goal every other game during his spell at Liege, for whom he played against both Liverpool and Everton in Europe last season.

A regular for Serbia, he is expected to play a key role for his country in this summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

Jovanovic will have endeared himself to Liverpool supporters with his claims a year ago of having turned down a move to neighbours Everton by saying: “Everton aren’t a big club. That club I have turned down already.”

Benitez remains interested in Marouane Chamakh, the Bordeaux striker, also available on a free transfer in June.

Jovanovic’s imminent arrival is a sign of Benitez planning for life at Anfield beyond the end of the season, despite continued interest from Juventus.

Jamie Carragher believes such rumours are nothing new and is confident Liverpool can ignore outside influences ahead of Saturday’s visit of Everton.

He said: “Liverpool has always had speculation about managers, players, players coming, players going and it’s the same as managers.

“People always want to talk about the club, whether it is positively or negatively, and if you play for Liverpool you have got to get used to that as part of the job.”

Liverpool have included promising youngsters David Amoo, Daniel Pacheco, Alex Kacaniklic, Gerardo Bruna, Steven Irwin and Robbie Threlfall in their 35-man squad for the Europa League. But new signing Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible after appearing in the Champions League for Atletico. Liverpool take on Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni with the first leg at Anfield on Thursday, February 18.

(Ca m'a l'air vraiment presque officiel en fait. Bon choix. Lu dans le Daily Post)

Reds close on Jovanovic deal

I don't know how this is possible with the transfer window being now officially shot down and no official media release, Sky Sports News understands Liverpool are close to agreeing a pre-contract deal with Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic.

The Reds, along with AC
Milan and Premier League rivals Birmingham, have long been linked with the 28-year-old and now seem to be on the verge of getting their man.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up his efforts to capture Jovanovic, who is out of contract with Liege in the summer, after failing in a pursuit of Sunderland's Kenwyne Jones.

Serbia international Jovanovic is reported to be on the verge of signing terms that would guarantee he moves to Anfield after participating in this summer's World Cup to offer an alternative to injury-prone Fernando Torres.

It has been suggested that Jovanovic was only prepared to sign for Liverpool if the club offered guarantees that Juventus target Benitez would stay on Merseyside beyond the end of this season.

But it appears that an agreement over a three-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months is close.

This story has been reproduced from today's media, including Sky Sports who tend to be reliable. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.

(lu sur LiverpoolFC.tv)

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Liverpool are on the verge of a deal to sign Milan Jovanovic on a free transfer in the summer after further talks with the Standard Liege and Serbia striker.
Sportsmail reported last month how 28-year-old Jovanovic had given his word on a move to Anfield.
Negotiations on a pre-contract agreement for the 28-year-old to join them in the summer are at an advanced stage.

Frosty reception: Next season’s Merseyside derby will be an interesting one for Serbia international Jovanovic
The Serbia international is out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been tracking the player for some time.
Barclays Premier League rivals Birmingham and Serie A giants AC Milan were also believed to be interested in the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward, who is reportedly ready to sign a three-year deal at Anfield.
The capture of Jovanovic would reinforce Benitez’s continued assertions that he plans to remain at Liverpool for the long term despite strong interest from Juventus to make him their coach at the end of the campaign.
If the player does complete his move to Liverpool, he has already done plenty to endear himself to Reds fans.
Just over a year ago he was linked with Merseyside rivals Everton, as well as Aston Villa, but rejected a move to Goodison Park out of hand.
‘Everton aren’t a big club. That club I have turned down already,’ he told Serbian website Blic online at the time. (Daily Mail)

Liverpool have attempted to ward off rival interest by offering Jovanovic a free transfer and personal terms of about £10m over three years.

(lu dans Telegraph)

Greek stopper on the way to Liverpool

Following the trend of Greek imports started by Sotorios Kyrgiakos for his solid plays in central defence since last month, reports in Greece suggest that Greek international and Olympiacos Vasilis Torosidis is on his way to Liverpool to have a medical before finalising a move to the red half of Merseyside.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been tracking the 24-year-old since injury news to Glenn Johnson and has reportedly bagged his man. Soitrios Kyrgiakos who signed for Liverpool in the summer is keen for his Greek colleague to join him at Anfield.

Benitez, who has dismissed talk that he has signed a pre-contract with Juventus is still confident Liverpool will finish fourth in the Premier League, and is keen to add to his squad after signing Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid. However, Benitez is only looking for loan signings and bargains.

Torosidis was coveted last summer by the likes of Juventus, Bayern Munich AS Monaco and Rangers.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.


(lu sur LiverpoolFC.tv)

Reds seek investors

Same story again: Liverpool seekinvestors not to replace the broke and lying American pair but to backup their plans.

Liverpool hope to boost their plans to build a 60,000-seat stadium by bringing in new investors before the end of the season.

With plans to move to a new stadium in Stanley Park currently on hold, the Anfield club have begun the search for new funding to bring them back on track.

The club's managing director, Christian Purslow, has revealed there are a number of interested parties keen on investing in Liverpool and that the club need a cash injection or they will be forced to remain at Anfield.

"When I arrived we agreed with the owners that we had to look for new investors," Purslow told Spanish newspaper AS.

"There are interested parties and I would like to get it sorted out before the end of this season. Without investment there won't be a new stadium."

But if they do not find new investment Liverpool will look to try to compete with their rivals by remaining at Anfield.

He added: "That's plan B: run the club in the most responsible way possible.

"We are generating a healthy profit and meeting our obligations, while remaining competitive in the transfer market and with the wages we are paying."

Purslow is also confident the Reds will finish in the top four and that star players such as Fernando Torresand Steven Gerrardwill not need to be sold if Liverpool fail to reach next season's UEFA Champion League.

"We will be in the Champions League, for sure. We are not a selling club," noted Purslow.

Rafa back-up

Purslow also dismissed continued speculation linking manager Rafa Benitez with a move to Juventus in the summer, claiming the Spaniard is part of a long-term strategy at Anfield.

Purslow said: "We have not considered, nor are we going to consider, a future without Benitez.

"The plan calls for five years of stability in the coaching staff and the (playing) staff.

"It is normal that big clubs are interested in Rafa. The coach himself has denied (the rumours linking him to Juventus)."

(lu sur Sky Sports)

Torres is broken?

The agent of Harry Kewell, whose time at Liverpool was ruined by injury, has criticised the club's doctors, and speculated that their treatment of Fernando Torres is partially responsible for the Spanish striker's ongoing injury troubles - leading to Rafa Benitez looking for outside help.

Kewell, now playing for Galatasaray, flies back to Australia for treatment - and Mandic says Benitez, Liverpool's manager, has enquired about the possibility of Torres following suit.

"The reason he gets treated out here now is because we have the best medical staff in the world," Mandic told The Guardian. "He lost three and a half years of his career at Liverpool because the guys over there in England had, quite literally, no idea what they were talking about. You have to wonder what they're doing over there. Perhaps they're trying to protect their reputations, but they're certainly not trying to protect their players.

"I think it's a disgrace, as I think it was a disgrace the way Harry was treated. What goes around comes around, and people are now wondering, 'How has he recovered like that?' when everyone in England thought he was a broken toy."

Kewell shone at Leeds United before completing a move to Liverpool in 2003, but his five years at Anfield were injury ravaged. He was even forced off with the club trailing in the 2005 Uefa Champions League final, before the Reds completed a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat AC Milan and win the competition for the fifth time.

• Liverpool FC finally secure move away from Anfield...to an office block
• Rafa Benitez confirms he won't see Tom Hicks' US$500 million windfall

Liverpool are currently fighting hard to qualify for next season's Champions League, and Torres' string of injuries have not helped the cause. Mandic added: "We had Rafa Benítez call him the other night inquiring who these guys were because Fernando Torres has got such major problems now. Look at Liverpool. Why is it that over so many recent years, usually around November, lots of their key players are injured? It's always soft-tissue injuries. How come other clubs, like Arsenal, don't have that sort of a dilemma? And why do their players recover quicker? There's logical reasons for all of this."

Mandic's mention of Arsenal is interesting, given the Gunners' own near-constant stream of injury problems, but his words may cause concern at Anfield.

Liverpool: 'Kaca' strikes as Reds progress

Liverpool Reserves booked their place in the last four of the Senior Cup following a stylish 4-0 victory at Ashton Town on Wednesday night.

John McMahon's side dominated from start to finish and deservedly got back to winning ways courtesy of goals from Alex Kacaniklic, substitute Jordy Brouwer, Jay Spearing and Emmanuel Mendy.

It was the second-string's first win of 2010 and means they will now head into next week's Lancashire County Cup second round clash at Bolton full of confidence.

In front of a sparse crowd in Wigan, the Reds made the early running and almost took a first minute lead. Some good approach play down the left flank by Kacaniklic saw the ball worked into the area but both David Amoo and Spearing had low efforts blocked.

Four minutes later and Daniel Ayala came even closer, stabbing a Spearing corner from the right just wide at the near post.

The hosts had barely made it out of their own half but did threaten briefly when Christian Boxby's thumping drive was superbly tipped over by Chris Oldfield in the Liverpool goal.

However, it was as good as it got for the North West Counties VODKAT League outfit in the first period as the visitors poured forward at every opportunity.

Mendy had looked particularly dangerous down the right flank and it was no surprise that his pace provided the chance for the opening goal on 14 minutes.

A long ball over the top sent the Senegalese defender racing towards goal and when Ashton 'keeper Carl Lloyd missed the ball, he sent over a low cross for David Amoo. The former Millwall man saw his goalbound shot well blocked, leaving Kacaniklic to arrive and coolly slot home.

The Swede is capable of flashes of genius on his day and he produced a delightful run and cross on 21 minutes that Amoo came within inches of turning home.

Lloyd was then forced to make a smart save to deny Mendy before Nikola Saric flashed a 20 yard piledriver just past the upright.

The away side continued to probe for a second just before the interval but both Kacaniklic and Amoo spurned their chances when well placed.

It was a similar story after the break with most of the action taking place in the Ashton half and it was no surprise when Brouwer doubled the advantage within two minutes of the restart after replacing Saric.

A third followed on 58 minutes when a free-kick was awarded on the left edge of the home side's area following a foul on Chris Mavinga, leaving Spearing to step up and curl a low shot into the far corner.

With any thought of a potential upset now over, the Reds continued to attack and after Brouwer fired wide from 12 yards, Mendy sealed the win seven minutes from time.

Liverpool Reserves: Oldfield, Irwin, Mavinga, Threlfall, Ayala, Spearing (Kohlert 60), Plessis, Kacaniklic, Mendy, Amoo (Palsson 68), Saric (Brouwer 46).

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Alex Kacaniklic

(lu sur LiverpoolFC.tv)

Liverpool : Hot-shot Chamack tempted by Reds

A report in L'Equipe today claims Marouane Chamakh is tempted by Liverpool’s offer to sign him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The Morrocan striker met
with representatives from Liverpool earlier this month and was reportedly offered a contract worth 28 million euros over four seasons at Anfield.

Chamakh is out of contract at Bordeaux at the end of the campaign and can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club. Along with Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham and Sunderland are also interested.

The French newspaper suggests Chamakh will not reveal his decision until after Bordeaux's Champions League knockout tie with Olympiakos and is in no rush to make a decision.

The 26-year-old striker is likely to wait and see whether Liverpool qualify for the Champions League and how the next few weeks pan out for manager Rafa Benitez.

In 2009/2010, Chamakh has scored nine goals in 26 appearances for Bordeaux in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the views or position of Liverpool Football Club.

(lu sur LiverpoolFC.tv)

Liverpool : Kyrgiakos MOTM vs Wolves

Sotirios Kyrgiakos continued his excellent form against Wolves on Tuesday night to clinch your vote as Liverpool's Man Of The Match.

The Greek turned in another commanding performance at the heart of the Reds' defence in the goalless stalemate at Molineux.

Thousands of you took part in our post-match poll - and here's how the voting went:



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C'est incroyable comment tout ça s'est passé. On a acheté ce joueur comme quatrième défenseur parce qu'on s'est retrouvé juste en défense centrale et on avait plus de couverture à droite après le départ d'Arbeloa, forçant Carragher à droite après des années au centre où il était devenu un véritable rock (il y ait toujours, ce qui est incroyable et vraiment déplorable). Et au final, ce grec quasi-inconnu (du moins de part chez nous) enfile les titres de MOTM comme des perles. Qui s'en plaindrait? Carragher peut-être mais ça prouve bien une chose: à part la faiblesse de Lucas, on a des progrès à faire sur les ailes, on n'y a pas le bon personnel, ni derrière ni devant, nulle part ailleurs.

Liverpool : Why Rafa could find signing Turan a little ‘Arda’ to resist

The relationship between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray is widely recognised as one of the fiercest rivalries in World football. A simply audacious attempt by Fenerbahce chairman, Aziz Yildirim, to lure Galatasaray golden boy, Arda Turan, fuelled months of debate among pundits and fans.

Having already signed Emre Belozoglu, previously seen as a product of the Galatasaray youth system, it may be that this was simply an attempt by Yildirim to rub salt in to an already open wound at the Ali Sami Yen. Galatasaray responded by giving Arda the captains arm band and, under the guidance of Frank Rijkaard, he has flourished once again in the Red and Yellow of ‘CimBom’.

As the rumours once again begin to circulate about Arda’s future, I ask the question, what is all the fuss about Arda Turan?

Arda is widely regarded as the hottest product of the Galatasaray youth system for the past decade. Technically excellent with both feet, strong in possession and the ability to play on either flank, or as a second striker, has helped his rapid progression at both club and international level.

Turan was one of the stars of Euro 2008. His last gasp-winner against Switzerland sent the hosts crashing out and was followed by a goal against Croatia to help Turkey into the knock-out stages.

Liverpool fans will undoubtedly have been scouring the internet for videos of their latest transfer target and few will have been disappointed in watching a player whose mazy runs and numerous assists have put him on Europe’s radar once again.

With reported interest from Manchester City, claims that he wishes to play for a club who play in red will have been music to Liverpool fans ears, and with Liverpool desperately in need of some added flair, he could be an ideal signing.

Should he continue to produce the quality that has provided 15 assists and 2 goals this season, it would be ‘Ard’ to see him resisting the calls of Europe for much longer.

(lu sur FootballFanCast.com)

Liverpool : Javier Mascherano targets double swoop

Javier Mascherano believes that Liverpool can salvage something from this season by lifting the Europa League in addition to qualifying for the Champions League.

Despite failing to build on last season's second-place finish in the Barclays Premier League, the Argentina captain has faith that the Reds can restore some pride by meeting the two targets to ensure that the current campaign can be considered a success of sorts.


Having crashed out of the Champions League, in addition to the Carling and FA Cups, Liverpool will face Unirea Urziceni next month in the Europa League and Mascherano, 25, sees no reason why Rafael Benitez's side cannot sweep all before them between now and the end of the season.

He said: "The target for us is to try and be in the top four in the league and to win the Europa League.

"For me the Europa League is important because at the moment it is the only competition we can win.

"Okay, it is not the Champions League but I want to win something with Liverpool and we have the chance to do that in the Europa League, so we will try our best to win that.

"Also, if you win the Europa League you can play in the UEFA Super Cup against the Champions League winners and that would be really good for the team and the club, so we will see."

The Reds travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers tonight with just a point separating them from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City and Mascherano feels that last week's win over Harry Redknapp's side will act as a springboard against the club's two main contenders for fourth.

He added: "It is only one point and that can be turned around in a single game. Obviously it doesn't depend only on us but the win against Tottenham reduced the gap on them, which is good for us. We are not too far away."

(lu sur Click Liverpool)

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Ah l'optimisme... Même si je veux bien y adérer.

Liverpool: Jovanovic snubs Liverpool over fears Benitez will be sacked

Milan Jovanovic is ready to snub a summer move to Liverpool – over fears Rafa Benitez will be sacked ­before he gets there!

Liverpool met the Standard Liege hitman’s representatives last week – and have ­offered a three-year deal worth £10million for the player to join them on a free in June.


Though Anfield is his first choice, the in-­demand Jovanovic, also wanted by AC Milan, Birmingham and Valencia, is worried about Benitez’s long-term position.

Kop co-owner George Gillett gave the ­Spanish coach another vote of confidence in midweek.

Yet despite that – and Liverpool’s win over Spurs keeping them in contention for the Premier League top four – his future remains in serious doubt.

And it is that uncertainty which could leave Jovanovic no option but to reject a dream move to Merseyside.

Sources close to the Serbian star, 28, have confirmed that while no decision has been made, Benitez’s problems mean Liverpool are in danger of missing out.

A pal of Jovanovic told the Daily Star Sunday: “It’s tough for Milan. He loves the idea of playing at Liverpool but he’s wary Rafa (inset) may not be the manager by the time he signs.

“Then there is the problem of Rafa’s record of buying ­players for big money and not playing them. Milan has been warned about this.”

Robbie Keane, Ryan ­Babel, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy are just some of the star names who have fallen foul of Benitez’s controversial ­rotation system.

And that appears to make Birmingham the­ ­favourites to land ­Jovanovic this month because, unlike their rivals, they want the player now.

In an effort to seal a deal in the current transfer window, the high-flying Blues are promising to match the personal terms on offer to ­Jovanovic at Anfield .

St Andrews chiefs also say they are ready to cough up the £6.5m fee demanded by Liege.

Our insider added: “You simply cannot rule out ­Birmingham.

“They are not nearly as big as AC Milan or Liverpool but at least ­Jovanovic could be sure of playing every week.”

Maxi Rodriguez insists he has joined Liverpool for one thing – a Premier League title medal.

The Argentine midfielder (left) walked into a ­crisis when he signed from Atletico Madrid last week.

The Reds were immediately knocked out of the FA Cup as Reading pulled off a shock win.

And Liverpool were rocked by ­losing Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to injury.

But the midweek win over Spurs has made Rodriguez, 29, insistent they are destined to finish in the top four – and then have a tilt at the title next season.

He said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Liverpool can definitely win a league title.

“It’s a group mentality ­issue really, a mental thing as a team.

“It has been a fairly bad first half of the season but now the top-four ­finish is a perfectly realistic ­target for this season.

“Liverpool is a club that can aspire to win trophies and ­ success – and that still applies to this season.”

(lu sur Daily Star Sunday dont on connait la fiabilité et la propension à soutenir les Reds)

Liverpool: Gillett insulte Benitez

LIVERPOOL co-owner George Gillett communicated his analysis of the club’s troubles last week by conducting an interview with a remote radio station in Toronto, Canada.

What an insult. Doesn’t the owner of a major Premier League club have a duty to speak directly to the supporter through local radio and papers in Liverpool, and then to the national media in England?

Among his thoughts was the notion that Rafa Benitez is one of the five best managers in the world. My answer is a current top 10, in purely alphabetical order of Ancelotti, Blanc, Capello, Ferguson, Guardiola, Hiddink, Hitzfeldt, Lippi, Mourinho and Wenger.

Rafa is good, but he’s not even the best football manager in the city where he works.



(lu sur Express.co.uk)

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Mais jusqu'ou iront-ils pour installer la confiance et tenir leurs promesses, ces amricains, c'est tout simplement incroyable, révvoltant...

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In the meantime, Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has agreed a deal to sell his baseball team, the Texas Rangers.

Hicks has an agreement in place to sell the team to a group headed by Pittsburgh attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers pitching legend Nolan Ryan for a price that could exceed $500 million (£310million).

Following lengthy discussions, an accord was struck late on Saturday night in Texas, and came 24 hours after an exclusive negotiating window had expired.

"Together, we have worked exhaustively since last month to attain this agreement," Hicks said in a statement.

Complex

"It's a complex business deal that positions the franchise positively for the future."

The deal must still be approved by Major League Baseball and the banks that hold the debt on the Hicks Sports Group, and may not be finalised until April.

Any Reds fans hoping for the proceeds of the deal to be invested in the struggling Anfield outfit may be disappointed.

Late last year, Hicks' fellow Liverpool owner George Gillett sold the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team for a reported 550 million Canadian dollars (£323million), but has not invested that money in the Premier League club.

(lu sur Sky Sports)

Liverpool: Super trio en vue

Rafa Benitez plans move to bring talented threesome to Anfield.

Liverpool are reportedly holding talks with CSKA Moscow over a possible move for Milos Krasic.

The Serbian winger has been linked with a handful of Premier League clubs over the past months, but Liverpool are now thought to be favourites for a possible January move.

25-year-old Krasic moved to CSKA Moscow from Vojvodina in 2004, making 136 league appearances for the Russian Premier League side since the switch. He has also gone on to earn international recognition, making 28 appearance to date for the Serbian national side.

It is his Champions League performances that have really caught the eye however, with a stand-out goal in the 3-3 draw with Manchester United providing a glimpse of his undeniable talent on the european stage.

Reports in the Daily Star claim that Rafa Benitez will look to secure a deal for the player, with negotiations between the two parties beginning last month.

The Reds would have to pay in the region of £12 million for the attack-minded player’s services, and departures might be needed at Anfield before the fee can be reached.

Krasic’s agent, Dejan Joksimovic, hinted at a possible Premier League move back in December, and Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all thought to be monitoring the player.

“I think that if Krasic leaves CSKA in January, he is 90 per cent likely to go to England,” Joksimovic told Calciomercato. (Give Me Football – Official PFA Website)

Rafa Benitez is reported in the French press to be stepping up his pursuit of Marseille’s powerful left-back Taye Taiwo after Inter Milan showed an interest. Ideally Liverpool would prefer to wait until the summer to sign the powerful Nigerian but with Jose Mourinho ready to pounce, it would seem a deal will be pushed through as soon as Ryan Babel departs from Anfield.

Taiwo issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to the Premier League big four at the end of last season which alerted Liverpool who are in the hunt to add a left-sided defender to the squad following the departure of the disappointing Andrea Dossena. The Reds have had to rely heavily on Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua but ideally Benitez would prefer to introduce him gradually into the side. If Taiwo can be signed, the Nigerian and currently injured right-back Glen Johnson would provide Liverpool with two of the most attacking full-backs in the Premier League.

The player is confident in his ability which was perfectly illustrated by his comments to France-Football, “If I was to depart, then I would not join a small club. It will be Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.”

The defender wants to test his ability to play against the very best in the Premier League as Taiwo’s comments illustrate, “I am not scared by the level in England. I believe I have the right level to defend against [Wayne] Rooney. (Football Pools)

Moroccan international Marouane Chamakh has alerted would-be Premier League suitors that he will not be extending his contract at Bordeaux.

Liverpool reportedly lead the chase for the 26-year-old although Arsenal are also keeping tabs in the knowledge that the striker is a free agent in the summer.

It had been reported earlier last week that Rafael Benitez had agreed a £25 million package to snap up the highly-rated forward who would join in the summer.

However, Liverpool have played down the reports and this could open the door to other potential buyers.

“I will not extend my Bordeaux deal,” said the striker. “I’ll know more this weekend when I’ve talked to my advisors. I believe things must be said quickly. I believe also that the club must be set.”

Chamakh has been an ever-present in Bordeaux’s league fixtures to date notching seven goals as Laurent Blanc’s men maintain their lead at the top of the table.

He struck 13 times in total last season as he helped les Girondins to their first league title in a decade.

Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger are on the look-out for strikers, but Chamakh is keeping everyone guessing. (Give Me Football)

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Sauf que c'est juste des rumeurs, on n'en a certainement pas les moyens, même si ce serait superbe en effet.

Liverpool: Milan consider swapping Klass-Jan Huntelaar for Ryan Babel in loan move

Milan striker Klass-Jan Huntelaar could be about to bag a move to Liverpool with Ryan Babel heading the other way on loan.

According to Milannews.it, Huntelaar is Premier League bound. There is rampant speculation surrounding the player, and the latest idea being floated around in Italy is a move to Anfield.

The report claims Rafa Benitez is looking for a striker, and Huntelaar is the one closest to suiting his needs on Merseyside. The move is likely to be welcomed by the Rossoneri. It's a quick-fix answer to Huntelaar's lack of action, and it could pave the way for Babel, himself the subject of abundant transfer talk, to arrive at Milanello.

It is said Babel can be an alternative to Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato, while Liverpool could revive Huntelaar ahead of the World Cup. As things stand there have not been any negotiations, and the reports remain unconfirmed at this stage.


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J'avoue avoir suivi la carrière de Huntelaar depuis mon temps à Amsterdam. Je l'y ai vu tout à fait excellent, puis moyen et finalement écarté à Madrid puis au Milan. Ca ne m'empêche pas d'avoir plus que de l'espoir dans le talent, l'implication sur le terrain (à la Kuyt, disons) et le futur du jeune homme. Rappelons aussi qu'en cette année de Coupe du Monde, il a besoin de jouer et prouver sa valeur sinon... pas de voyage en Afrique du Sud. Encore une fois, étant données les performances de Ryan Babel, n'importe qui fera mieux l'affaire et Huntelaar me semble un choix fort judicieux.

Liverpool: Alberto Aquilani admits it has been a hard slog

Alberto Aquilani opened up on his Anfield frustrations and admitted his transition into English football had been made all the harder by Liverpool's recent struggles.

Held back by an ankle injury after his £20million summer arrival from Roma, the Italy midfielder is still trying to prove his form and fitness, failing to last the full 90 minutes in Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Tottenham.

While skipper Steven Gerrard is ready to return from injury at Wolves next Tuesday, manager Rafa Benitez may be concerned by Aquilani's admission that he has found it hard going in the Barclays Premier League.

'Ideally, I would have been able to start playing in a team who were winning matches,' he said. 'Instead, by the time I was fit to play, the team were going through a difficult period so the transition has been a lot harder.

'That's football, and the risks are the same with any move. But as a foreign player, moving to a new country in a new league with different team-mates, it would have been easier for me if I were starting my Liverpool career in a winning team.

'It hasn't been that way, so the pressure has been on me to produce performances straight away. When I have played, I know I can do a lot, lot better. I understand that some great players who have done well in Serie A have come here in the past and struggled, but I am still regaining my fitness after a long time away from football.'

Gerrard confirmed that he is right on schedule to reclaim his place in midfield after a hamstring strain in the FA Cup defeat by Reading.

'It is always a nightmare for me when I am injured and cannot help the team,' he said.

'But now I am hoping to return in time for the Wolves game. That is my target.'

Liverpool's loan move for Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones is still on course, although the clubs have yet to finalise the structure of the deal that will eventually give Sunderland £12m.


Benitez is also in the market for another midfield player but initially he would only be able to make it a loan deal.

Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici, however, has snubbed a move to Anfield as he did not want to be second in line to Pepe Reina.

Australia keeper Federici, 24, who impressed Benitez in Reading's shock 2-1 replay win at Anfield, said: 'I've worked so hard to be number one so why would I want to go up there and sit on the bench? It's fantastic to be linked with a team like Liverpool but I'm a Reading player and I am sure I will be for a long time.'

Liverpool starlet Mikel San Jose is set to join Athletic Bilbao on a permanent deal. The midfielder joined Liverpool from Bilbao in 2007 and played two seasons in the reserves before being loaned back to Bilbao in August last year.

San Jose, 20, has impressed during his time back in Bilbao and is eager to return full time. He wants a four-year contract but will cost around £2.5m.

Read more sur le Daily Mail.

Liverpool - Tottenham: Breaking point?

Change needed or line of decline will continue, says Geoff Shreeves

Until Alberto Aquilani told me to look at the league table today I couldn't think of single scrap of good news concerning Liverpool Football Club.

Warring owners? Check. Huge debts? Check. Best Players injured? Check. Best players now intimating through third parties that they have had enough of all this and are thinking of leaving? Check. Manager asked in equal amounts if he is quitting or being sacked? Check. No money for new players? Check. That's a pretty comprehensive list of the attributes required for a once-mighty club staring rapid decline right in the face (also see Leeds United, Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday for previous).


However, the league table does not lie and as the Italian pointed out, The Reds are currently only four points off fourth place so is talk of writing off the season in January the stuff of doom merchants?

Attainable

The personable Roman is finally fully fit and could just add a much-needed spark and freshness to Liverpool's campaign. With other results going their way what looked like points dropped at Stoke on Saturday quickly turned to a point gained. Fourth place is definitely attainable but there is no question that such a less than lofty target underlines just how far the club have fallen behind their rivals.

What I'm wondering is just what will give first? One of the owners to crack and sell up? Rafa to walk away? Torres or Gerrard to move on? Which ever way you look at it, something has to give or the line of decline will continue.

What will be of the most concern to Liverpool fans is not just the future but the immediate future, and that is Tottenham at home on Wednesday.

It can't be easy either playing or managing under such pressure regardless of the financial rewards and real character is required now.

Record

This game is absolutely huge and were Spurs to go seven points clear of Benitez's side, then Aquilani's refreshing optimism will look more like forlorn hope.

History is on Liverpool's side with Spurs not beating one of the 'Big Four' away in the last 65 attempts - a shocking record which could either intimidate or inspire Tottenham.

Having said that, that win was at Anfield in 1993 with two goals from Teddy Sheringham sealing victory.

In terms of Champions league places this game is HUGE. If Liverpool win then they are right back in it, lose then they really are in it! Liverpool 11/8, Spurs 2/1, the draw 9/4.

(lu sur Sky Sports)