Liverpool suffer pain in Spain

[Dunny]

Liverpool suffered a 3-0 defeat by Espanyol on Sunday in a game which marked the opening of the Spanish side's new stadium.
The Reds fielded a strong team at the Estadi Cornella-El Prat in Barcelona, with Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso coming off the bench with six minutes remaining.
Reports in Spain suggest it may be the 27-year-old midfielder's final appearance for the club as they are thought to be on the verge of finalising a transfer deal with Real.
Espanyol went in front through a 19th-minute strike by Luis Garcia - a namesake of the former Liverpool player now at Atletico Madrid.
Sell-out

Ex-Chelsea reserve striker Ben Sahar then scored a second-half double to make it a memorable occasion for the Barcelona-based team, who were inspired by a sell-out crowd at their new 40,000-seater home.
Liverpool actually started strongest, with Steven Gerrard firing narrowly wide from distance.
The Reds captain then almost gave the visitors the lead after 18 minutes when he crashed a fierce effort against the crossbar.
Liverpool fell behind a minute later, though, as former Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura played in Luis Garcia and the Spain forward beat international team-mate Jose Reina with a neat low finish.
Gerrard replied by curling a 20-yard free-kick against a post but Espanyol were proving hard to break down.
The hosts thought they had doubled their lead three minutes before the break when Raul Tamudo fired clinically past Reina but the veteran striker was ruled offside.

Changes

Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel and Jay Spearing came on for the visitors at half-time, replacing Glen Johnson, Emiliano Insua, Yossi Benayoun and Javier Mascherano.
Espanyol made five changes themselves and showed greater urgency in the second half.
And they were rewarded in the 62nd minute as Jose Callejon's pass found Sahar in the area and the Israel striker slid the ball under Reina.
Besides Alonso, Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez also brought on Albert Riera, Andriy Voronin, David N'Gog and Damien Plessis late on.
But Espanyol wrapped up a fine win in the closing stages when Sahar pounced after Reina parried Ferran Corominas' close-range effort.

[Peter R]

not good

[Paul Marin]

Pedro - I wouldn't sweat it. The best player for us was Lucas (if you can believe that) - still, it would have been nice to have a win. What we have to worry about is Xabi leaving...that has done more damage to the club's preseason preparation than anything else. I don't know how on earth the team recovers from his departure, but it must. So...bring it on!!

[Twan]

Pedro - I wouldn't sweat it. The best player for us was Lucas (if you can believe that) - still, it would have been nice to have a win. What we have to worry about is Xabi leaving...that has done more damage to the club's preseason preparation than anything else. I don't know how on earth the team recovers from his departure, but it must. So...bring it on!!

have no fear, IT IS COMING SOON !!!! ..

[Jangle]

Xabi is just your CURRENT worry, next week it will be Mascherano. (snicker). Your boss a real eediat bout unuh waan come win championship wid Glen Johnson and Sylvan Distin.........if I laff tiday I dead.

[Paul Marin]

Xabi is just your CURRENT worry, next week it will be Mascherano. (snicker). Your boss a real eediat bout unuh waan come win championship wid Glen Johnson and Sylvan Distin.........if I laff tiday I dead.

Watch it!! You were making similar noise last year before the "eediat" give unu a buss arse at the latrine...

[Jangle]

Who won the title.............for the last 3 seasons?

[Jangle]

Paul, just keeping you up-to-date on the news.......hehehehe!!!


Bring me Javier Mascherano! Liverpool star still the No 1 target for Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola



By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:35 AM on 06th August 2009

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Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has told his bosses that he still wants Javier Mascherano at the heart of his midfield by the start of the season.
Top target: Liverpool star Javier Mascherano in action on Liverpool's Asian tour

The European champions had all but conceded that a deal for the Liverpool midfielder was impossible following Xabi Alonso's defection from Anfield to Real Madrid for £30million.
But Guardiola met with technical secretary Txiki Begeristain and director of football Raul Sanllehi to say the Argentina captain is still his No 1 target for the problem holding midfield position.
Mascherano is keen on a move to Spain with his agent Walter Tamer last month revealing the former West Ham United man had become 'tired of life in England'.
Guardiola is understood to have been in personal contact with the 25-year-old.
Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen has been considered as an alternative, while Manchester City's Vincent Kompany could provide cover as both a centre-half and midfielder, but Guardiola believes they do not compare to Mascherano.

American adventure: Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola watches his side take on the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday

Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas remains a long-term target, but he is seen as a more attacking player who would ideally play in front of Mascherano, alongside Xavi, with Andres Iniesta moved to a position on the left wing. Many Nou Camp insiders are confident Fabregas will sign next summer.
Guardiola held talks with Begiristain, Sanllehi and Barca vice-president Rafael Yuste at the Four Seasons hotel in Seattle on Wednesday morning, ahead of a 4-0 victory over hometown club The Sounders.
Begiristain has lined up a number of alternatives after a frustrating summer in the market and has proposed Manchester United's Jonny Evans as a potential recruit.

Shooting star: Bojan Krkic gets a shot off against Seattle

But Guardiola still wants two from the following three: Mascherano, Shakhtar Donetk defender Dmitro Chygrynskiy and Valencia left winger Juan Mata.
Benitez will resist any move for Mascherano and has quoted valuations of £40m-£50m to scare off suitors.
But the former River Plate and Corinthians player's wish to leave could put further pressure on Liverpool, who have already looked at Denmark international Poulsen themselves.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1204722/Bring-Javier-Mascherano-Liverpool-star-No-1-target-Barcelona-boss-Pep-Guardiola.html#ixzz0NQtMR2Nl

[Paul Marin]

Who won the title.............for the last 3 seasons?

Minor point...unu spen' nuff!!

[Paul Marin]

Gwan...bad mine!!

[Jangle]

Bad mind........Moi???? I hope you guys are prepared to play teams like NK Slaven Koprivnica or NK IB Ljubljana come next season when you play in Europa Qualifications. Word to the wise - don't take those teams lightly because they would like nothing more than to claim the scalp of a so-called "big" team.


Yuh nah sign up fe me Fantasy League?

[Jangle]

Paul here is some more news on your favourite player. Personally, I think he was one of your best player last season and hope he stays...... especially if he doesn't get enough starts.





Lucas will leave Liverpool if Rafa Benitez refuses to give the Brazilian a run in the team



By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 9:55 AM on 07th August 2009

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Brazilian midfielder Lucas is ready to walk away from Anfield if Rafa Benitez does not make him a Liverpool regular.

The 22-year-old has started only 25 Premier League games since arriving from Gremio for £6million in the summer of 2007.

Corinthians are keen to take him back to his homeland and Lucas said: 'You have to see what Benitez plans but the president of Corinthians already knows I am interested and what I want.'


Ultimatum: Lucas is frustrated at a lack of action under boss Benitez

According to The Sun, Lucas is reported to have held talks with Corinthians chief Andre Sanches, who has claimed the negotiations are 'progressing well.'

Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid left a hole in Liverpool's midfield but manager Benitez has moved quickly to fill it with Alberto Aquilani from Roma.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1204910/Lucas-leave-Liverpool-Rafa-Benitez-refuses-Brazilian-run-team.html#ixzz0NWN4pUOU

[Jangle]

Bwoy Paul, your boss a real claffy to rhatid!!!



Aquilani stunner: Liverpool's £20m new boy ruled out for two months



By JOHN EDWARDS
Last updated at 10:21 PM on 07th August 2009

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Alberto Aquilani, Liverpool’s new £20million signing, has been ruled out for up to two months with a damaged ankle.

Aquilani, 25, whose transfer from Roma was competed last night, passed a lengthy medical but was told he was still several weeks from being match fit following surgery.

The verdict underlined the risk element in the deal. Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had singled out the Italy international as his top target once it became clear Xabi Alonso
was moving to Real Madrid for £30m.

Lengthy lay-ff: Aquilani arrives at Heathrow

Aquilani’s silky skills and eye for goal convinced Benitez he would be the ideal replacement, despite a catalogue of injuries in recent years.

His latest setback flared up late last season and he had surgery in May. Anfield sources said he would be out for ‘between four and eight weeks.

[Me]

For a man who used to gwaan the most ways with Harry Kewel it will really be interesting to see how him deal with Alberto.

[Jangle]

Hehehehe...it keeps getting better......



Liverpool bid for Turner rejected: Hull demand £12m for defender



By Sportsmail Reporter Last updated at 10:59 PM on 07th August 2009

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In demand: Michael Turner

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has seen a bid to land defender Michael Turner on the cheap fail after Hull demanded £12million.
Benitez saw a verbal enquiry amounting to £6m for the highly rated centre half rejected out of hand.
Hull manager Phil Brown rates his prize asset at double that price and intends to hold out for a bigger fee.
He said: 'We've had a verbal offer from a club in the Premier League but there's been no firm offer through communications at boardroom level. That was nowhere near our expectations.
'I'm still adamant that it would take a big offer to prise Michael away, no matter who that club is.
'We've got a prized asset there and I will guarantee that no player will leave the club on the cheap.'
Benitez has some money to spend after selling Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for £30m and is eager to land a defender. He has been monitoring Turner, 25, for the past year.
Meanwhile, Hull have had a £3m bid for Cardiff's Ross McCormack rejected.
Brown is unwilling to match Cardiff's £4m price tag for the 22-year-old Scotland striker, who the Welsh side snapped up for £100,000 last year from Motherwell.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1205136/Liverpool-bid-Turner-rejected-Hull-demand-12m-defender.html#ixzz0NXdiZbRR