[lfc-news] Boss: Sissoko will improve squad - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 9 July 2005
BOSS: SISSOKO WILL IMPROVE SQUAD
By Paul Eaton

Rafael Benitez is confident Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will bring
more quality to his Liverpool squad.

Sissoko still needs to complete a medical before finalising his move to
Anfield and becoming the latest of Benitez's summer signings.

The Liverpool boss said: "He's a young central midfielder who plays a
high energy game with a high tempo. He's young, he's not bad on the ball
and he will improve the balance of our team.

"He's had two good years with Valencia where he has won trophies. I know
him well and he's a very good player."

Benitez also admitted the Reds are waiting to hear whether they'll be
able to bring Luis Figo to Anfield.

He said: "At the moment all we can do is wait. We have some
possibilities and Figo is one of them. We'll have to wait and see.

"I'm happy with the squad we have at the moment but we're still trying
to bring in two or three more players."

Benitez saw his side secure their first victory of pre-season when they
defeated League Two outfit Wrexham 4-3 in a thriller at the Racecourse.

Milan Baros and Fernando Morientes both bagged a brace as the Reds
warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against TNS.

Benitez said: "It was a good game for the fans with seven goals being
scored. I'm not concerned that we conceded three because it's still very
early in our preparations and it was a very hot day.

"I am sure when we play on Wednesday evening that we will be much
better. It could be good that we have a competitive match next midweek
and it could stand us in good stead for the rest of the season."

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[lfc-news] Nando and Milan get Reds off to a winner - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 9 July 2005
NANDO AND MILAN GET REDS OFF TO A WINNER
By Mark Platt

Liverpool warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League opener by easing
into their pre-season programme with a 4-3 win over Wrexham at the
Racecourse Ground on Saturday afternoon.

In what was the Reds' first competitive run-out of the summer they came
from behind against the League Two outfit to register victory on a
sweltering day in North Wales.

Fernando Morientes (2) and Milan Baros (2) were the Liverpool scorers as
Rafa Benitez handed debuts to new signings Jose Reina and Bolo Zenden.

The game also marked Steven Gerrard's first public appearance since
pledging his future to the club earlier in the week and he appeared in
good form during the 45 minutes he was on the pitch.

The aforementioned trio all received a warm reception from the
travelling Liverpudlians who seemed to be in party mood as the European
Cup was paraded prior to kick-off.

But those same fans were in for a shock after just seven minutes when
Mark Jones exploited a gaping hole in the centre of defence and duly
rounded Reina to open the scoring.

The equalising goal arrived on the quarter hour mark. Darren Potter
crossed from the right and Morientes tapped in from close-range. Six
minutes before the interval the Spanish striker doubled his tally with a
close-range header from a Steven Gerrard corner.

Rafa rang the changes at half-time, making nine substitutions, but it
did not disrupt the attacking rhythm that had been building steadily
before the break. Within 20 minutes of the restart Milan Baros equalled
the feat of Morientes and notched a brace as Liverpool raced into a 4-1
lead.

His first came following a mistake in the Wrexham defence and the Czech
striker kept his cool to skilfully round the keeper before slotting the
ball into an empty net. His second was more spectacular and whistled
into the top corner after he stuck out a leg to divert a Xabi Alonso
through ball.

Despite the three-goal deficit the home side, to their credit, refused
to throw in the towel and by hitting back to snatch two late consolation
goals they ensured a nail-biting finale to what had been a gentle
pre-season stroll.

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[lfc-news] Rafa delighted with double deal - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 8 July 2005
RAFA DELIGHTED WITH DOUBLE DEAL
By Paul Eaton

Rafael Benitez today spoke of his delight after securing the services of
both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher on four year deals.

Both players signed their new contracts at Melwood on Friday afternoon,
ensuring the Reds ended a difficult week on a high note with two of
their most key players committing their futures to Anfield.

"I'm delighted both deals have been signed," said Benitez at Melwood
today. They are two very good players who will have a big part to play
in our future here.

"We have a lot of good players here but it's always important to have
local boys and in Stevie and Carra we have two players who have come
from the Academy. I am really happy with everyone in my squad but to
have these two players who have said they will be here for many years
makes the situation a lot better.

"All through last season I spoke highly of Carragher because he has
exactly the right attitude you need to win games.

"He loves this club and it's always important to have players with this
kind of passion. As a manager you want as many players like Carra as
possible.

"We need to keep working hard with him to make him improve even more. He
can be even better this season. He's clever tactically but he can
improve further.

"When you think of a leader in the team then you think of players like
Carra. He helps improve the team spirit.

"Of course we're all pleased that Stevie's situation has been resolved.
It was important to finish it as soon as possible and I am sure now that
he will be extremely focused on the games.

"Now that he's signed his contract I am sure he will play better. Last
season he played well but at times, like the team, he was a bit
inconsistent. Now he can be focused on the football and not thinking
about what's in the newspapers. He will play better, for sure.

"He's told me he wants to help the team, his team-mates, the manager and
the club to win trophies. He wants to win trophies with us."

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[lfc-news] Mellor ready to fight for place - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 8 July 2005
MELLOR READY TO FIGHT FOR PLACE
By Paul Eaton

Neil Mellor has accepted he may have to settle for a place on the subs
bench this season - but he insists he's more determined than ever to
feature in the first team after recovering from injury.
Mellor is fit again after undergoing surgery on both knees last season,
forcing him to miss the Reds' glorious Champions League success.

With Benitez linked with a move for Southampton's Peter Crouch, and with
Fernando Morientes, Djibril Cisse, Milan Baros and Florent
Sinama-Pongolle all vying for striking positions in the team, Mellor
admits his chances may be few and far between this season - but he says
he's ready to impress whenever called upon.

"I can't expect to just walk into the side. There is no chance of that
happening, so just to feature on the bench would be an achievement in
itself," he said. "We've got some big reputations in the strikers we
have got here.

"It has been frustrating knowing that I could maybe have been on the
bench or appearing in a few of the Champions League games. But that is
the way football is - you have many ups and downs.

"I knew that when I was having the operation, so hopefully I can come
back stronger now.

"Every time I tried to run it was hurting me. Getting out of cars and
bed it was constantly hurting me for over a year. I just needed
something to be done about it, which is what I did.

"It has been frustrating, but it has been good to be around the lads
when they've achieved so much success at the end of the season."

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[lfc-news] Gerrard: I must work on Benitez relationship - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 8 July 2005
Gerrard: I must work on Benitez relationship
By David Prior, Daily Post Staff

STEVEN GERRARD has admitted his relationship with Rafael Benitez "could
be better" - but vowed to grow closer to the Spaniard as he looks to
reaffirm his Anfield commitment.

The 25-year-old will today sign a new four-year deal worth £100,000 a
week as he seals a remarkable U-turn at the club he almost departed only
three days ago.

He has already explained the misunderstanding that lay at the heart of
the shattering last few days, but Gerrard has confessed he must
strengthen his alliance with his manager.

"Our relationship is okay," said the Liverpool skipper.

"But I admit it could be better and that is something I am going to work on.

"I spoke to him in the (Wednesday) morning and I am sure we will sit
down in the next few days for a chat.

"I don't think he has seen the best of me. There were times last season
when I wasn't happy with my performances. Things were on my mind.

"But I wouldn't say Liverpool have seen the best of me either. My best
years are ahead of me now and that is why I couldn't move. I feel I am
entering my prime and Liverpool deserve to be the ones who benefit from
that.

"They have made me what I am. I have been here from the age of eight and
I didn't feel it was right that I should go somewhere else."

There were much-publicised reports of bust-ups between the pair earlier
in the week, but Gerrard insisted: "All the talk of bust-ups is
nonsense. We have had a few heated discussions over the last five or six
days, but my respect for Rafa Benitez has not changed.

"He is one of the best coaches in the world and I understand that he
rates me as a player."

Gerrard has also shed more light on the turmoil that saw him almost
leave his boyhood club earlier this week.

"It was like I was heading towards the edge of a cliff and going to step
off, but deep down I didn't want to," said the midfielder.

"I have learnt a hell of a lot from the past few days and more than
anything, I have learnt that Liverpool is me - no-one else - and that
winning things here would mean more to me than winning them anywhere else.

"The whole thing has been a mess and I am not proud of the mess.

"I wouldn't wish what I have been through on anyone. It has been
horrible. I hold my hand up and recognise I have made mistakes and the
club has also apologised to me.

"Things were allowed to go too far. My head was spinning and I didn't
realise the point we had reached until it was nearly going to be too
late. I was upset and emotional.

"When I sat down I thought about Istanbul, the scenes when we came home
and toured the city with the trophy and all the supporters on the streets.

"I could talk for hours about the special times I have had here and
that's why I thought, 'Do I really want to walk away from this?'"

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[lfc-news] Figo in plea to Madrid - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 8 July 2005
Figo in plea to Madrid
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LUIS FIGO was today locked in talks with Real Madrid to pave the way for
his transfer to Liverpool.

Figo, 32, has agreed a two-year contract at Anfield and the Portuguese
international is hopeful the Spanish club will drop their demand for a
£2m fee, allowing his switch to Anfield to proceed.

Figo has accepted a huge pay cut to join the Reds, slashing demands for
a £90,000-a-week salary in half.

However, Rafa Benitez will call the deal off if the matter isn't
concluded imminently.

Meanwhile, new signings Bolo Zenden and Jose Reina will be considered
for tomorrow's Champions League warm-up at Wrexham (kick-off 3pm).

Liverpool fans unable to obtain a ticket from Anfield for the friendly
at the the Racecourse Ground have a limited number of stand tickets
available on the day for visiting supporters.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard will parade the European Cup before the game
and the Racecourse ticket office will be open from 9.30am tomorrow.

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[lfc-news] Carra signs new deal - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 8 July 2005
Now let's push for title
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE CARRAGHER penned a new four-year deal at Anfield and declared:
"We'll go from strength to strength under Rafa Benitez."

On a day of double contract joy for the Reds to end all the week's
turmoil, Carragher and skipper Steven Gerrard committed themselves to
Liverpool until 2009.

Now the duo are determined to complete their impressive medal collection
with the Premiership title to become the main focus for the years to come.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have agreed this new contract," said
Carragher today.

"This is the best club in the world with the best fans, so I'm very
proud to be a Liverpool player for the next four years and hopefully
even longer.

"We've had some fantastic times recently and winning the Champions
League was the biggest achievement of my career.

"Now we've done that, all of us have got that hunger to bring even more
success to the club.

"Both Stevie and Didi mentioned in interviews recently how they have won
every medal except one since 2001.

"I'm in the same situation. Now we're going to make winning the
Premiership title our top priority.

"We know how much it means to everyone here to get the Premiership
trophy. I don't know how soon we'll be able to do it.

"It's going to be tough to close the gap, but there's no point us being
defeatist about it. We proved in Europe what we can do on the big
occasion and we've got to produce the same on a consistent basis in the
league.

With Rafa Benitez improving his squad and planning more swoops before
August, Carragher is sure the top three will soon be fighting off a
stronger Anfield challenge.

"The manager has been working hard to strengthen the squad and he's as
determined as anyone to make sure there's a big improvement in our
league form," added Carragher.

"I'm sure we're going to go from strength to strength under Rafa Benitez
and I'm delighted he sees me as an important player over the next four
years. There's nowhere else I want to be."

Chief executive Rick Parry added: "We're delighted to have agreed the
deals for both Steven and Jamie today."

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[lfc-news] Benitez agrees terms for Figo - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 7 July 2005
Benitez agrees terms for Figo
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have agreed terms with Portuguese superstar Luis Figo - but
the deal is on ice because Real Madrid have suddenly demanded a £2m
transfer fee.

Figo secured a verbal agreement with the Spanish giants saying he could
leave on a free if he found the right club.

But having concluded negotiations with the Reds, the 32-year-old
midfielder is now livid with Real's u-turn. They now want a fee for his
services.

Liverpool won't proceed with the transfer if they have to pay the
Spanish club.

As the Figo deal faces deadlock, Benitez is edging closer to securing
the services of Southampton's Peter Crouch and Valencia's Mohammed Sissoko.

No fee has been agreed with the Saints, but it now seems only a matter
of time before the young striker moves to Anfield in a deal worth around
£6.5m.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is at loggerheads with his player and
manager over the negotiations.

Redknapp is realistic about the situation, recognising Crouch has his
heart set on the move. The St Mary's boss wants to get on with
rebuilding his side with the kitty he'll get.

Lowe, however, continues to increase his valuation of the recently
capped international, which has led to the stalemate.

However, Anfield sources say there could be progress on a Crouch deal
over the next 24 hours.

In a frantic week off the park, Djimi Traore and Didi Hamann have today
penned the deals agreed in the aftermath of the European Cup win.

And goalkeeper Pepe Reina is now free to make his debut at Wrexham on
Saturday after receiving international clearance.

Liverpool are also making progress with negotiations regarding Jamie
Carragher's future and expect the defender to sign his
four-year-contract with skipper Steven Gerrard tomorrow.

"We're delighted to have secured Steven, Djimi and Didi, and now the
future of Jamie is at the top of our minds," said chief executive Rick
Parry today.

"We're very hopeful this will be sorted out very quickly."

Carragher, Gerrard and Traore will stay at the club until at least 2009,
while Hamann has signed a one-year-deal.

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[lfc-news] Reds out to hijack Sissoko transfer - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 7 July 2005
Reds out to hijack Sissoko transfer
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL are set to hijack Everton's swoop for Mali midfielder Mohammed
Sissoko.

And in a crushing double blow for the Blues, Craig Bellamy has agreed to
sign for Blackburn.

The Reds made an offer for Sissoko last night, after boss Rafa Benitez
was alerted by Everton's interest in a player he had under his wing at
Valencia. And the Blues fear that they could now miss out.

They also look set to miss out on Bellamy, who has agreed a flexible
one-year deal with Blackburn - which allows him a getout clause if he is
not happy with Rovers' progress at the end of the season.

Given the terms of the transfer, the Blues may not be too disappointed
to miss out on the striker. But boss David Moyes will be devastated to
lose Sissoko to the Reds.

The Blues thought they had a 5m euro deal wrapped up early this week.
But Liverpool's interest has caused the player and his club to think again.

Everton still hope they can persuade both Sissoko and Italian left-back
Emiliano Moretti to move to Goodison. But they will now have to rely on
Moyes persuading the player that his opportunities for first team
football would be much greater at Goodison than Anfield.

Benitez brought Sissoko to Spain from Auxerre as a teenager, paying a 1m
euro compensation fee. And he has tracked his progress since he became
Liverpool boss last summer.

A highly versatile performer who has played up front for Mali and
right-back much of last season, Sissoko is rated as one of the most
promising midfield talents in Europe and is still only 20.

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[lfc-news] From depths of despair to the dizzy heights up on cloud nine - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 7 July 2005
From depths of despair to the dizzy heights up on cloud nine
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

IT WAS a comeback as inspired as the second half in Istanbul.

Liverpool were effectively 3-0 down with only their pride left to
restore as their rivals steamrolled over the club and its captain.

Then, just like his opening goal in Turkey, Steven Gerrard made the
crucial intervention required to turn the club's humiliation into a triumph.

A phone call from the unfairly maligned agent Struan Marshall to Rick
Parry shortly after 10.30pm on Tuesday night was as dramatic as Jerzy
Dudek's penalty save from Andriy Shevchenko.

The secret remained intact until the dramatic announcement at 9am yesterday.

Even the Liverpool players, enjoying breakfast at the Melwood canteen,
spat out their cornflakes in shock as the news flashed across their
television screen.

There are those who'll cynically cry 'here we go again' following
Gerrard's latest u-turn.

What's to prevent comments such as those pre-Olympiakos during the
middle of the season? Or another period of soul searching next June?

However, while the similarities to last summer are undeniable, there are
also crucial differences which will prevent a repeat in the seasons to come.

Unlike last summer, Gerrard is backing his commitment with a new contract.

This time, there will be no clause which allows him to rethink his
position at the end of the season if the Reds fail to qualify for the
Champions League.

His comments in the ECHO yesterday have effectively tied him to Anfield
for the rest of his playing career - a point echoed by chairman David
Moores and underlined by the captain last night when he said Liverpool
'deserved the next 10 years of his career'.

"He's here for life, " Moores said. "This will never happen again."

Had Gerrard signed on June 29, it would have been an easy decision for
him. By yesterday, agreeing a contract with Liverpool took courage.

He knows he'll be accused of indecision and will need to win back the
hearts of a minority of supporters. Far better for everyone he can begin
that process of rehabilitation in a red shirt.

His conciliatory tone, accepting part of the blame, apologising to the
club and offering to relinquish the captaincy, also reveals the depth of
his sincerity.

Contrary to the hype, this was never about money to Gerrard. It was a
matter of principle. Once the club proved how much they valued him,
Chelsea's bid was back in the balance.

"I said to the manager I would like to speak with the players on my own
because I know some of them have been frustrated with what's gone on,
just like the fans have," he said..

"It would have broken my heart to have lost the captaincy but I thought
it was right to make the offer."

Far from wanting rid of Gerrard, as the player himself had thought,
Benitez was thrilled to be told his captain was staying.

He swiftly rejected the offer to give up the armband.

"Steven is our captain and I want him to stay as captain. We are all
delighted because we all wanted him to stay," Benitez said..

"Whenever we have talked, we have always known he wanted to stay and we
understood the situation.

"Now, we have a clear idea about the future. It is important that we
received this good news and it has come as a boost for everyone at the club.

"I am sure now that Steve will be more focused on his club and on the
games because his contract is sorted out.

"My relationship with Steve is fine; it always has been. I am sure that
now, if it is possible, our relationship will be even better."

Some fans still need convincing, bizarrely claiming it's a sad day for
the club when they go 'grovelling' to secure the services of one player.

Such cynics should ask themselves what ' s the difference between
Liverpool going out on a limb to convince Gerrard to stay than doing the
same when signing the likes of Morientes or Figo?

This is the reality of modern football. The greatest players have the
power and the clubs must show their muscle to sign or keep the most
prized assets.

Parry and Rafa Benitez did what they had to do. If they hadn't, surely
the prospect of dealing with Chelsea's Peter Kenyon and allowing a
player to leave against his judgment would have been a far more serious,
more symbolic act of self-mutilation?

When Gerrard pens his four-year deal tomorrow, Liverpool will
effectively be signing one of the best midfielders in the world on a
free transfer.

Regardless of how fraught the negotiations were, that's something to
celebrate.

As the unforgettable night in Istanbul proved, when you've sunk to the
depths of despair and believe all hope is lost, you ' re more
appreciative of the view when you're sitting on cloud nine.

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[lfc-news] Parry: We did everythng we could - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 5 July 2005
PARRY: WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD
By Paul Eaton

Rick Parry has this evening spoken of his disappointment following
Steven Gerrard's decision to leave Anfield and insisted the club did
everything they could to persuade him to sign a new contract.

The skipper informed the club that he won't be signing a new deal early
this afternoon as he prepares for a career away from Merseyside.

Chelsea are now expected to return with an improved bid after having an
offer rejected by Liverpool on Tuesday, while Real Madrid could also
enter the race for his signature.

Parry admits he is disappointed with Gerrard's decision, but he insists
everyone at the club is remaining calm and continuing to plan for the
future.

He said: "It's disappointing because we made it clear we wanted him to
stay. There's no question about that. He's made it pretty clear now that
he wants to go and so we have to move on.

"I remember sitting with him last summer and underdstanding his
frustrations, which were deep at the time. He came close to leaving then
but we asked him to stick with us and see what we could achieve. We
thought we had achieved a fair bit last season.

"To be fair to Stevie this hasn't been about money. Money hasn't been a
problem. It's about his commitment and about a feeling of where he wants
to be in the long term. He feels he has a better chance of winning
trophies and being successful somewhere else. It's our job now to prove
him wrong.

"People might think winning the Champions League is a good marker that
this club is moving in the right direction. I told him to think of the
fans, to think of Istanbul and to think of the twelfth man which has
been with us all season.

"We're all disappointed but the club has to move on now and we'll have
to see what tomorrow brings. We're all calm."

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[lfc-news] Gerrard: I want to go - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 5 July 2005
Gerrard: I want to go
WORLD EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

STEVEN GERRARD has told Liverpool he intends to quit Anfield after
rejecting the club's new contract offer.

Chief executive Rick Parry was informed the news the club was dreading
today after Gerrard turned down a four-year-deal.

Chelsea are now expected to follow up their first British transfer bid
of £32m to capture the Liverpool skipper.

Parry told the ECHO today: "We desperately want to keep Stevie and we've
told him we don't want him to leave. However, in rejecting our offer of
a new contract he has indicated he wants to go."

A statement on the club's official website added: "The club has made it
crystal clear we want to keep Steven at Anfield.

"Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our offer
of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave
Liverpool. We very much regret the decision he has taken."

Gerrard's agent, Struan Marshall, informed Liverpool of the decision
earlier today.

Liverpool say they will leave the door open for a change of heart and
the player will have to make a formal transfer request before he's sold.

Talks were revived with Gerrard and Marshall at Melwood last night when
a lucrative four year deal was offered to the 25-year-old.

By then, the Stamford Bridge club had faxed a British record offer for
the midfielder. Liverpool have responded by saying they have no
intention of selling Gerrard.

Said chief executive Parry today: "I can confirm we have had a bid from
Chelsea and that it will be rejected by us."

Gerrard spent the night agonising over his decision on Liverpool's
contract and was training at Melwood today as he mulled over his future.

Having rejected the deal, a week of transfer posturing lies in store as
Chelsea's first bid was turned down flat.

Real Madrid are also expected to join the race for Gerrard's signature.

Rafa Benitez will have no choice but to seek an early resolution in
order to fill the chasm Gerrard's departure will leave in his squad.

Liverpool FC today issued the following press statement regarding Steven
Gerrard.

"The club has made it crystal clear we want to keep Steven at Anfield.
Sadly, he has told us this afternoon that he will not accept our offer
of an improved and extended contract because he wants to leave
Liverpool. We very much regret the decision he has taken."

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[lfc-news] Rafa's two young guns - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 4 July 2005
RAFA'S TWO NEW YOUNG GUNS
By Steve Hunter

Two more new faces have arrived at Anfield in the form of Chile winger
Mark Gonzalez and Spanish right back Antonio Barragan, and here's a
litle more about our latest captures.

Mark Gonzalez

Chile international Mark Gonzalez has been signed on a year's loan from
Spanish side Albacete with a view to a permanent move to Anfield.

He is 21 on July 10, and is an inspirational young player with
lightening pace who can play on either flank or as a forward. Rafael
Benitez labelled Gonzalez as the best young player in Chile last season.

Gonzalez will arrive at Liverpool still in rehabilitation as he is
currently recovering from injury after damaging his cruciate ligament
two weeks before the end of the season against Levante, on May 8. He
will hopefully be set for a return to action in October.

He was recommended to Benitez by Anfield's chief scout Paco Herrera, who
used to work at Gonzalez's current Spanish club, Albacete.

The Spanish side were relagated from La Liga last season but their task
was made even more harder due to the injury to Gonzalez.

An exciting talent, Gonzalez is a player that manager Rafael Benitez has
high hopes for at Liverpool.

He started his career in Chile playing for Universidad Catolica Santiago
before making the move to Albacete in 2004.

Antonio Barragan

Spanish right back Antonio Barragan has arrived from Sevilla's youth
team and is seen as a very shrewd capture by Rafael Benitez.

Barragan, 18, is an attacking right back as well as being a good young
defender.

Although Barragan didn't make an appearance for Sevilla's first team, he
has caught the attention of Anfield boss Rafael Benitez with a series of
superb displays for the Sevilla youth side. A highly rated player,
Barragan rejected the chance to sign a professional contract in Seville
to opt for the new challenge under Benitez at Liverpool.

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[lfc-news] TNS found wanting ahead of Anfield trip - Post

Liverpool Daily Post, 4 July 2005
TNS found wanting ahead of Anfield trip
Nine days before Liverpool begin the defence of their European crown
John Bridgewater ventured to Wales to eye up first round qualifier
opponents TNS.

The sun may have shone, but some clouds hovered over TNS's warm-up ahead
of next week's daunting Champions League first round qualifier at Liverpool.

Billed as the battle of the champions between the winners of the Welsh
and Irish Leagues, the Saints impressed in parts against Glentoran. But
in the end they were beaten.

And manager Ken McKenna admitted the Welsh Premier winners will need to
step up a gear ahead of the biggest game in the club's history at
Anfield in nine days' time..

A 76th-minute strike from substitute Stephen Parkhouse secured the
spoils for the Irish visitors much to the delight of their vociferous
band of 200 supporters.

The accustomed string of second-half substitutions disrupted the flow,
although it gave a couple of trialists a chance to stake their claim for
the hosts. One of those was forward Thomas Rooney, cousin of England and
Manchester United star Wayne, who appeared along with former Leigh RMI
utility man Tom Field.

With both sides having one eye on the challenges ahead, there was hardly
a tackle in anger until Scott Ruscoe caught Glentoran's Peter McCann
moments before half-time.

In the crowd there was a mixture of committed fans, the inquisitive and
those just eager to get their hands on vouchers for this month's David v
Goliath clash at Anfield.

Liverpool scouts no doubt mingled among them to check on what awaited
the holders as the Premiership giants embarked on the defence of the
trophy they won in Istanbul.

A mini bus of Reds supporters also made their first excursion to
Llansantffraid to run the rule over the opposition.

"It was quicker to get to Istanbul," said one Liverpool fan after
apparently losing his way en route to Treflan. While TNS had Rooney in
their ranks, part-timers Glentoran included Kevin Keegan on their
team-sheet.

This brought back memories that his namesake, the former England and
Liverpool legend, had visited Treflan on a Euro mission two years ago
when manager of Manchester City.

TNS, tanned and sporting their lesser known dark strip, started brightly
enough with Martyn Naylor's volley testing keeper Elliot Morris after 54
seconds.

At the other end, Darren Lockhart saw his low 25-yarder safely held by
Gerard Doherty eager to turn in a confidence-boosting dis-play ahead of
a busy night at Anfield.

Those apart, chances were in short supply with both sides lacking the
cutting edge despite near perfect conditions.

Glentoran, themselves gearing up for a Champions League clash with Irish
rivals Shelbourne, rattled the bar through substitute Darrell Avery
after the break.

But the visitors were not to be denied on 76 minutes when Evans lost
possession to Parkhouse who coolly curled the ball inside the far post
from the edge of the box. TNS did up the ante late on, but keeper Morris
was rarely troubled as many onlookers pondered the awesome task facing
the Welsh Premier men at Anfield.

TNS: Doherty, Naylor (Davies 69), King (Lawless 46), Baker, Evans,
Holmes, Ruscoe (Rooney 69), Lloyd-Williams (Wood 46), Wilde (Toner 46),
Beck (Field 69), Hogan (Leah 46). Subs: Jackson, Lalley, S Jones.

GLENTORAN: Morris, Nixon, Holmes, Walker, Leeman, Keegan (Melaugh 46),
McCann, McCallion (Avery 46), Morgan (Parkhouse 46), Halliday (Tolan
46), Lockhart. Sub: Mannus.

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[lfc-news] Zenden delighted with Anfield move - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 4 July 2005
ZENDEN DELIGHTED WITH ANFIELD MOVE
By Paul Eaton

New Liverpool signing Boudewijn Zenden today spoke of his delight after
completing his free transfer move from Middlesbrough to Anfield.
The Dutch star signed his contract this morning and was paraded in front
of the media at Melwood at lunchtime.

Before the press conference he spoke exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv and
revealed the scenes he witnessed from the club's supporters during and
after the Champions League final in May helped convince him to make the
move to Anfield.

Zenden said: "I am absolutely delighted to be signing for Liverpool.
When a club like this comes in for you then you don't need asking twice.

"Rafa Benitez was a big influence in me coming here but the biggest
influence was Liverpool FC as a name and its magnificent fans.

"I watched the Champions League final in a hotel and the thing that
stuck in my mind was at half time when we were 3-0 down and all you
could hear were our fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone.

"I saw the scenes from the parade of the city and they were absolutely
fantastic. I can't wait to play my first game in a Liverpool shirt."

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[lfc-news] Six LFC dates chosen for live TV - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 4 July 2005
SIX LFC DATES CHOSEN FOR LIVE TV
By Steve Hunter

Six of Liverpool's Premiership matches have been selected for live
television coverage so far on Sky Sports and Prem Plus pay-per-view
starting with the first game at Middlesbrough on August 13.

Liverpool's first game of the season against Middlesbrough on Saturday,
August 13, at the Riverside Stadium will now kick-off at 5.15pm and be
shown live on Prem Plus.

The home game against Manchester United at Anfield will now take place
on Sunday, September 18, kicking-off at 12 noon and be shown live on Sky.

Liverpool's confirmed live Premiership TV dates so far

Sat, August 13. Middlesbrough (a) 5.15pm, Prem Plus.

Sun, September 18. Man United (h) 12 noon, Sky Sports.

Saturday, September 24. Birminghbam City (a) 12.45pm, Prem Plus.

Sun, October 2. Chelsea (h) 4pm, Sky Sports.

Saturday, November 5. Aston Villa (a) 12.45pm. Prem Plus.

Monday, December 26. Newcastle (h) 3pm. Prem Plus.

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[lfc-news] We want Stevie here for life - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 4 July 2005
We want Stevie here for life
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFAEL BENITEZ this afternoon made an impassioned plea to torn skipper
Steven Gerrard to step back from the brink and said: "We want you at
Anfield for life."

Gerrard's representatives from agents SFX have pulled out of discussions
over a lucrative new four-year deal claiming the

Reds have delayed too long because they're trying to engineer his departure.

Those accusations were today strongly denied by Liverpool officials who
still hope the damage of a weekend of chaos is a spat that can be
quickly repaired.

Benitez, speaking at a Press conference to confirm new signings Bolo
Zenden and Jose Reina, said: "We tried last season three times to talk
about a new contract and he said he wanted to wait until the end of the
season.

" Then we lifted the most important trophy in Europe. We have signed the
best player in the middle of the team, the best goalkeeper in Spain, and
the best young player in Chile.

"We have improved the team to make a better challenge for next season.

"I can assure all our fans we want Steven to stay with us.

"If I renew my deal at Liverpool for another four years on top of my
current contract I would like Steven to become my assistant manager and
after that become the next manager of Liverpool.

"I want him to stay with us for the rest of his life."

Gerrard arrived at Melwood today amid growing concerns he's ready to
quit Anfield.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry remains optimistic face-to-face
discussions can yet resolve the baffling deadlock between a player who
wants to stay at the club he loves - and a club who insist they want to
keep him.

"Rafa wants Stevie to stay. We still hope this situation is repairable,"
said Parry.

"We're completely surprised by the reports this morning having made it
clear since January we wanted to talk to Steven about a new contract.
For anyone to make an issue of a delay of just a few days makes no
sense. When we met on Wednesday things were fine.

"We have wanted to keep Steven all along.

"Money is not an issue. There are no financial concerns regarding
Steven's contract."

Manager Benitez is understood to be furious at accusations he's
engineered a possible transfer.

He and Gerrard were involved in private discussions on Saturday, but
reports of a 'blazing training ground row' have angered the manager.

Liverpool may yet decide to keep Gerrard, even if Chelsea and Real
Madrid make their expected approach over the next few days.

The 25-year-old has two years left on his contract.

However, the most likely outcome is the sale of the captain.

The row over Gerrard today over-shadowed the arrival of Zenden, who
comes on a Bosman free transfer from Middlesbrough, and Reina, bought
for £6m from Villarreal.

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