You'll Never Walk Alone -- The End...

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 6th January, 2010

Liverpool reject bid for Mascherano

Mourinho rejects Madrid bid for Mascherano​

Liverpool have today formally rejected a bid from Real Madrid for Argentine midfielder and captain Javier Mascherano. The bid, believed to be around ?25million, was made yesterday to club owner George Gillet.

Mascherano has been linked with big-spending Real Madrid for couple of weeks, but this is the first time that the Madrid club have tested Liverpool manager Jose Mourinho's claims that none of his squad except for Benayoun will be sold this January. Mascherano is a key part of Liverpool's bid to win their first ever Premier League title, and was also named the Argentina captain last season by head coach Diego Maradona.

Madrid, who have spent over ?200million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol and Karim Benzma already in the summer, want to pair Mascherano with his former Liverpool teammate Xabi Alonso in their midfield. But Liverpool have made it clear that they don't want to sell the former West Ham midfielder at least this season.​

 

[OffCutters]

Good, Mascherano is much needed in the side, but yeah, wont be surprised if Benayoun gets traded off, not a great player. Real Madrid really pushing for top-class players huh.

 

[treva]

Benayoun is a quality player. Best right midfielder at Liverpool. I think it would be a bit of a rookie mistake for Jose to let him go.

Brilliant season so far. Going undefeated in the league is a great feat. Lets hope it continues.

 

[OffCutters]

Really? Thought he was more of a player who starts on the bench. Proves how much i dont follow Liverpool.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 2nd January, 2010

Atletico Madrid have completed the ?7.5million signing of the Israel international and Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun. Los colchoneros have agreed a three year deal for the 29-year old, who will link up with former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Vicente Calder?n.

The former Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Haifa player, signed by Benitez for Liverpool in a ?5million deal in July 2007 becomes Atletico Madrid's and Rafael Benitez's first January signing. Benayoun made 72 first-team appearances for West Ham United and featured in 93 games in all competition during his two-and-a-half year career at Anfield.

The new Atletico Madrid manager Rafael Benitez said he was very pleased at the signing and believes the midfielder still has much to offer. "For me, Yossi is a player at his peak." he told the club's website.

"I don't think 30 is too old for a central midfielder of great experience. I think Yossi can play on for a good few years yet and his experience will be vital for us.

"He's a guy that always turned up for work. By that I mean that his appearances over the years have always been fantastic. Yossi has got the culture of the true footballer, who will go through walls to play football. He has a winning mentality, and that is proven by all the winners' medals he has won."

Yossi Benayoun told Liverpool's club website: "I am very pleased to have signed for Atletico. Its a going to be a new challenge for me, to be playing again in the Spanish League which the best league in the world after the Premeirship.

"I am also delighted to have re-united with manager Rafa, who bought me at Liverpool from West Ham United. I would take this time to thank all the Liverpool fans for their support during my time at Anfield and hope they keeping the supporting the same." ​

 

[OffCutters]

Sounds to me like theres a little bit going on between Rafa and Benayoun.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 6th January, 2010

Mourinho signs young Inter striker

Mourinho has signed Mattia Destro from Inter​

Liverpool have completed the signing of Mattia Destro from Inter Milan for an initial fee of ?2.5million, potentially rising to ?6.25million. The 18-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the Reds, after successfully completing a medical at Anfield.

The 18-year-old, can play as a striker or play on the left of midfield, and has scored ten times for the Italian Under-19 side. Liverpool manager Jose Mourinho told liverpoolfc.tv, "Mattia is a quick young striker with great feet and control. I had a great look at him last season at Inter and he was really impressive.

"He's a good young prospect with a bright future and we hope he can be a huge star in the future. Mattia is not for going into the team now. We know it cost a lot to bring him here but we are hopeful we can turn him into a top player. ​

 

[treva]

Really? Thought he was more of a player who starts on the bench. Proves how much i dont follow Liverpool.

Has been starting this season, scored a hat-trick against Burnley the other week.

Got a decent amount for him though, Shan. Never heard of that Inter lad, lets hope he does a good job.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 10th January, 2010

Title contenders Manchester City ended Liverpool's 19-match unbeaten run in the Premier League this season with an 1-0 win at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Adrian Mutu fired the first-half winner when he lashed the ball past Pepe Reina just before the interval. Liverpool looked more dangerous after the break with Fernando Torres going close. But the Citizen's extra work-rate paid dividends as they survived a late surge by the visitors, to hand Liverpool their first defeat of the season.

Shaun Wright-Phillips got away down the right and whipped over a low cross towards the near post, where Carlos Tevez saw his shot put behind by Daniel Agger. Then Mutu's clever dribble and cross from the left flashed across the Liverpool goalmouth after nine minutes.

Liverpool escaped again when Mutu's cross appeared to have been pushed behind for a corner off the arm of Agger, who came into a central defensive role after Martin Skrtel had failed a late fitness test.

Then Carlos Tevez, who earlier saw a sweet right-footed strike well saved by Reina, volleyed just wide of the left post and was involved again when he clipped a delicate cross to the far post only for the oncoming Mutu to head wide.

The visitors - seeking to maintain their unbeaten run in the Premier League - looked most dangerous on the break. And their best chance came from a deep long ball up to Steven Gerrard, who cut it back for Spain striker Torres, whose 10-yard snapshot was deflected over the bar by the classy Kolo Toure.

Manchester City should have won a penalty in the 23rd minute when Marek Hamsik's cross looked to have been deflected behind by Agger's outstretched arm, but referee Andre Marriner would have none of it.

But just 90 seconds before the interval, the home side got the breakthrough they deserved. Substitute Pablo Zabaleta - on for the injured Marek Hamsik - launched a long throw deep into the Liverpool box before Mutu collected on his chest, stole in front of a clutch of Liverpool defenders and hammered past the helpless Reina.

Liverpool came out a different side in the second half with Fernando Torres a tireless outlet. Manchester City responded with an athletic Wayne Bridge volley direct from a corner which was well blocked.

But Blues keeper Shay Given was forced into a series of saves, denying the increasingly influential Gerrard from point-blank range. With time running out, Liverpool substitute Ryan Babel curled a deft cross-cum-shot which bounced back off the home crossbar into the path of Torres, but the former Atletico Madrid striker was unable to force the ball home in the ensuing goalmouth scamble.

__________________________________________________​

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes: "I have had a respect for my team for a long while, and once again today their earned it in bucket-loads. Liverpool looked as if they were capable of springing us, they are a very resilient side. We made some critical interceptions and just about came through it, but it was a very valuable three points for us in what has been the most difficult season for any team."

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "I can't say we played well enough for three points but I thought we did enough to get a draw. It was a schoolboy goal we gave away and if you do that sort of thing at his level you'll get punished. We started well and created a few chances but Man City looked strong and we did better in the second half, but despite the result we have to be fairly satisfied with what we've achieved so far this season."

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Man City: Given, Richards, Toure, Dunne(C), Bridge, De Jong, Barry, Hamsik(Zabaleta 35), Mutu, Tevez(Petrov 75), Wright-Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Ireland, Adebayor, Luisao, Robinho.

Goals: Mutu 45.

Lverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Fabio Aurelio, Mascherano, Gerrard(C), Aquilani, Kuyt, Alexis Sanchez(Babel 60), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Lucas, Dossena, Camacho, Destro, Riera.

Booked: Aquilani.

Att: 47,970.

Ref: A Marriner.

Man of the Match: Adrian Mutu.​

 

[OffCutters]

Great win for Man City, but dont know why Man City didnt use Adebayor, he`s a class player. Shame the Reds loss, but they had to lose somehow. Great presentation buddy. KIU

 

[mattfb]

Massive win for City, but an excellent run there from Liverpool.

Great work mate, kiu.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 12th January, 2010

Mourinho to invest on Aguero

Jose Mourinho interested to sign Atletico striker Sergio Aguero​

Jose Mourinho is planning a second attempt at signing Atletico Madrid star striker Sergio Aguero in the current transfer window with a ?40million bid.

Premier League leaders Liverpool's boss is believed to have made an offer for the Argentine International in the last week of the summer transfer window. Mourinho could even do a deal which sees the player stay in Spain until the end of the season to avoid paying an inflated fee for him after the World Cup. Aguero has a contract at the Vicente Calder?n until 2013 which is worth around ?80,000-a-week.

And the Spanish club are keen to do business as they attempt to ease financial worries caused by an impending move into their new 85,000-seater stadium. Los Colchoneros were ready to sell Aguero to Chelsea or Manchester United in the summer until boss Abel Resino insisted on keeping the player.

"It is true that there was a bid from a big English club," said Aguero. "If it was only a question of money then I would have accepted the move. Things can change in the future but right now I am happy in Madrid and I did not have sufficient motive to leave." ​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 13th January, 2010

Aguero tempted by Liverpool interest

Sergio Aguero tempted by Liverpool move​

Argentina striker and superstar Sergio Aguero has admitted he is interested in a switch to Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Atletico Madrid striker Kun Aguero has been closely monitored by Jose Mourinho for the past few months since his arrival at Anfield and the Reds boss has already sent scouts to three of his games this season.

Beijing Olympics 2008 Gold medalist Aguero said: “It’s an honour for any player that a club of the prestige of Liverpool should follow them and that in itself is enormous praise. I am committed to Atletico Madrid and my dream is to win the title but in the future anything is possible. Atletico have rejected offers for me in the past few months and I am happy here. But I also know that the Premier League is a big competition and hard to resist.”

Aguero was top of Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s wanted list in the summer but they were put off by Los Colchoneros holding out for ?50m. However, Liverpool are also big admirers and Mourinho will have the finance available if he sells his fringe players to tempt Atletico Madrid into selling one of their prize assets.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 13th January, 2010

Current Premier League leaders Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by top four contenders Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Liverpool could have gone ahead after 43 seconds, Fernando Torres denied by the advancing Heurlho Gomes. But their fluent passing game suffered on the appalling pitch and Tottenham almost won it when David Bentley forced Pepe Reina to tip over. Steven Gerrard was denied by another Heurelho Gomes save in the dying seconds.

Liverpool are still six points above Manchester United having played equal number of games and they have now picked just four points from the last three premier league games. As for Tottenham, they move two points behind Chelsea having played a game more and go ahead of Everton into 6th in the process.

The Reds, fresh from their shocking defeat to hands of Manchester City on Sunday, raced out of the blocks at Anfield. With less than a minute on the clock, Gerrard sent Torres through on goal only for the Spain striker to see his shot blocked by Gomes, who had raced off his line.

Most of Liverpool's attempts came in the opening stages, with Torres having another shot blocked, Dirk Kuyt's effort being deflected wide and Fabio Aurelio firing off target from 25 yards. Totenham had two decent openings of their own but both fell to Wilson Palacios, who skewed one over and dragged the other badly wide.

Liverpool, characteristically, were dominating possession but the wretched pitch meant players had to take an extra touch and the flow of the game suffered as a result. The Reds decided to take the aerial route and it almost paid dividends when Fabio Aurelio's cross was headed goalwards by Gerrard, Gomes getting down well to tip the ball behind.

With 10 minutes gone in the second half, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp took off the injured Peter Crouch and sent on skipper Robbie Keane, and suddenly the Spurs were transformed. He cleverly teed up Roman Pavlyuchenko, who saw a 20-yard shot deflected just wide, before Bentley cut in from the right and forced Reina to acrobatically parry away his sweet drive.

As the half wore on it appeared as though Tottenham were the only team that could win it, so Jose Mourinho sent on Martin Skrtel and Mattia Destro - the young Italian making his first league appearance since signing from Inter Milan. But he blazed over twice and Gerrard was denied by the onrushing Gomes again in the final stages as Liverpool failed to find the breakthrough.

__________________________________________________​

Liverpool boss Jose Mourinho: "We are in a patch where we are not taking enough points, but I believe in these players. The focus is good, we will stay calm and we have a very good chance of winning this championship. We've dropped two points here, but we gave everything, fought very hard and the not so good pitch did the rest."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp: "You need your keeper to play well against Liverpool and he made two great saves. He was drafted into the Brazil squad and you can see why. The pitch today didn't help, we know that, but it was the same for both. It is going to be tight at the middle and top of the Premier League. There are many teams in it, so let's hope this point helps us."

__________________________________________________​

Liverpool: Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Agger(Skrtel 65), Carragher, Johnson, Appiah, Gerrard(C), Aquilani(Lucas 60), Alexis Sanchez(Destro 65), Kuyt, Torres.
Subs Not Used: Diego, Babel, Dossena, Camacho.

Tottenham: Gomes. Chimbonda, King(C), Corluka, Bale(Dawson 77), Modric, Palacios, Huddlestone(O'Hara 87), Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch(Keane 56).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Assou-Ekotto, Bassong, Lennon.

Att: 40,603.

Ref: M Hasley.

Man of the Match: Heurelho Gomes.​

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Last updated: 15th January, 2010

Tasci flattered by Liverpool interest

Sedar Tasci wants to win the Bundesliga​

Stuttgart and German defender Serdar Tasci has revealed he is flattered to be linked with major clubs across Europe such as Liverpool, Arsenal, Juventus and AC Milan.

According to media stories in Germany, the Reds have opened negotiations with the Bundesliga club about a possible deal for the highly-rated 22-year-old. Tasci has already been capped by his country and has earned praise for his consistency and versatility, with Stuttgart utilising him at both centre-back and right-back. Jose Mourinho is known to be keen on strengthening his defence this January and has already many options opened for him.

Tasci insists that he is keen to embark on a new challenge at some point in the future, with several other top sides in Europe keeping tabs on his progress. But he is not dwelling on the transfer talk too much and admits that he could still decide to stay with Stuttgart.

"I have the ambition to move clubs one day, but the time and circumstances have to be right for me," he told spox.com. "I have to admit I'm flattered that clubs like Liverpool, Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus have had their eye on me in the past. But I'm not getting carried away with this. I'm focused on Stuttgart and looking to return to action following my groin injury."

Tasci is concentrating on helping Stuttgart win the Bundesliga this season, as the former champions are in second position and three points behind leaders Bayern Munich. He said "I would love if we win the League this season and perform well in other competitions. We have a great squad here and we need to stay together to win the League."​