Results tagged “lfc” from Liverpool Banter - Join the debate with LFC fans, staff writers and club legends

Vote for your Man of the Match and leave any comment for the Sunderland match on our Survey Monkey poll here

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR are bracing themselves for a substantial bid from Liverpool for Robbie Keane.

Rafael Benitez has earmarked the Republic of Ireland international as he attempts to bolster his strike-force following the departure of Peter Crouch to Portsmouth.

And Liverpool are expected to make an official offer in the next few days as Benitez's transfer priority shifts away from Gareth Barry.

Tottenham are keen to keep Keane, particularly as speculation increases over Dimitar Berbatov joining Manchester United, and will ask for £20million.

TWELVE MONTHS ago in Grenchen, a Spanish forward took the first step towards making his name at Liverpool.

But, with Euro 2008 hero Fernando Torres on a richly-deserved vacation, last night it was the turn of a younger striking compatriot to command the headlines.

Daniel Pacheco has been earmarked as one to watch ever since Liverpool persuaded him to leave Barcelona.

LIVERPOOL have introduced a new membership scheme recently which costs fans £29 to join.

Today, the ECHO puts the questions many fans are asking to club commercial director Ian Ayre to find out what the scheme involves.

Ayre also answers questions on other issues including the availability of tickets for European away games and season ticket waiting lists.

WITH a month to go until the new Premier League season ask yourself this: As it stands, have Liverpool for the players that can score the goals to give them the title?

Personally, I don't think they have. My biggest bug-bear with Liverpool is that they need to realise it's okay to lose some games as long as you're trying to win them.

Put another way, the defence is fine, especially now Daniel Agger is back. So forget playing things safe because that's where draws come from - and Liverpool had far too many of those last year.

IF RONNIE Moore had his way, several of Liverpool's most promising youngsters would be Prenton Park regulars in the coming season.

The Tranmere boss is one of many managers in the lower divisions who are keen to raid Rafa Benitez's gold reserves at the merest hint that the teenagers who guided Liverpool to the reserve league title last season could be available on loan - and with good reason.

Nothing Moore saw in Saturday's typically lacklustre friendly will have changed his mind as the youngsters brought to Liverpool by chief scout Eduardo Macia, and coached by Gary Ablett, provided yet more compelling evidence why they are rated so highly at Anfield and elsewhere.

EVEN if you're unlikely to see many of the faces on display here again this season, there was one facet of this un-recognisable Liverpool side that could yet become familiar.

This certainly wasn't the team that will end Liverpool's 18-year wait for the Premier League title, with only three members of Saturday's starting line-up likely to begin Liverpool's challenge at the Stadium of Light next month.

Was it, however, a glimpse of the future under Rafael Benitez, as the Spaniard trialled a 3-2-3-1-1 formation in the 1-0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park?

Second-guessing Benitez on team matters - especially after just one pre-season clash - is a frivolous exercise, of course.

LIVERPOOL supporters will get their first glimpse of the future at Prenton Park this afternoon.

Rafael Benitez's side play their first friendly of the pre-season when they travel across the Mersey for the first time in seven years to take on Coca-Cola League One neighbours Tranmere Rovers.

New signings Philipp Degen and Diego Cavalieri will be among the players expected to be on parade, with Liverpool hopeful of receiving special clearance for fellow newcomer Andrea Dossena to make his bow.

* WATCH video of Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena being unveiled here

WHILE the Beatles have once again commanded the attention in Liverpool this week, for Rafael Benitez the focus has been on wings.

As his team suffered a second successive season without a trophy, the Anfield manager earmarked the flanks as a major area for improvement.

The end result of months of hard work scouring the market was officially unveiled yesterday when full-backs Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena were presented to the media at Melwood.

Switzerland international Degen, a 25-year-old right-back, was snapped up on a free transfer from German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.

Dossena, meanwhile, has made a £6million move from Serie A side Udinese with the 26-year-old becoming the first ever Italian international to pull on a Liverpool shirt.

Benitez expects both to provide serious competition for places in defence while allowing greater flexibility going forward down the flanks, and provide another dimension to the team.

"We want to use two or three systems during the season," says the Anfield manager. "The key isn't the system itself, but how the players adapt on the pitch. It doesn't matter if it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, it's the role of the players that counts.

"At the beginning of last season we were doing well with 4-4-2, so if the players can read the game and understand things, then it's easier to change the system.

"Now we have more options at full-back, with Degen, Finnan and Arbeloa on one side and Dossena, Aurelio and Insua on the other. We have players with different qualities.

You can't use too many systems - two or three maximum - and the key is to teach the players how to adapt to each system.

"We will continue looking for good players but not necessarily a 'proper' winger. We'll look for good players and maybe adjust the system. Don't forget, we have some very good players here already, players we have signed over the last 12 months."

Benitez admits the high cost of bringing recognised top-class wingers to the club had forced Liverpool to be creative in the market.

"We knew we were creating a lot of chances last season but everybody was talking about the wide areas," he says. "If you go to the market and want to sign a top-class right-winger, they will be in the top sides and the price will be crazy. To sign two full-backs with an offensive mentality can give us more quality out wide."

While Degen will take the number 27 shirt, Dossena has been assigned the number 2 shirt most recently occupied by Alvaro Arbeloa.

The left-back, a direct replacement for John Arne Riise, who has made the move in the opposite direction by swapping the Premier League for Serie A by joining Roma for £4m, comes with a fearless reputation after twice being sent off last season.

And Dossena reckons his "half English, half Italian" mentality can help him settle into his new surrounds.

"Even from training, I realise English football is different," he says. "It's all about possession and the ball seems to move quicker.

There is also a great determination among the players in training, but these are all qualities that are characteristic of me too. In this way, I feel half English, half Italian.

"Of course I'll feel very strong emotions when I wear the shirt at Anfield for the first time but after the first few seconds these will be replaced by a focus on what I am doing."

Dossena was particularly impressed by Liverpool's run in the Champions League last season, and one victory in particular. I must admit I enjoyed their win over Inter Milan in the European Cup last season," he says. "And I definitely believe this team can challenge for the title. I believe Liverpool played the best football in Europe last season."

Dossena adds: "I have been very impressed with the facilities and also with the very good atmosphere in the dressing room.

"The talks I have had with Benitez have mostly been about tactics. He has explained that he wants a four-man defence but that the most important thing is that the balance on the pitch is never broken. There must be balance between the left and right-backs."

Dossena earned his so far only cap for Italy against South Africa last October, and believes his move to Anfield can help his international ambitions.

"The Premier League is followed and it will be up to the national manager to watch the players abroad," he says. "I am aware, though, that I am at the most prestigious team in England. There are other players who play abroad who are getting caps, like Luca Toni."

Both Degen and Dossena will hope to follow in the footsteps of Fernando Torres, who capped a magnificent campaign at Anfield by netting the winner for Spain in their European Championship final against Germany in Vienna last month.

And Benitez believes Liverpool can reap the benefits of the striker's summer experience.

"We knew about the mentality and quality of Torres," he says. "Some people in the Spanish press were criticising him during the tournament, so I was really pleased when he got he goal in the final.

When you have players winning trophies, that's important for their mentality. Sometimes you can see a good player who isn't winning trophies, and you have doubts about his mentality. Now the Spanish players have shown they can win trophies.

"Here, a lot of players are new or young, and they need to give something more to show they have that mentality."

* WATCH video of Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena being unveiled here

JAMIE CARRAGHER has urged Reds fans to forget talk of winning the title this season - and focus instead on simply making a meaningful challenge.

Carragher made his Premier League debut in 1997 - the last time Liverpool were in serious contention for the crown they crave more than any other.

And while every season since then has been accompanied by some kind of title clarion call, the unfailing honest Carragher declared: "People always talk about us pushing for the league, but to be honest it isn't very often that we've even challenged.

"If we were challenging with 10 or 15 games to go then who knows? But just a challenge this season would be nice, to still be in the hunt.

"I think it's only happened once since I've been in the team, when I played a few games under Roy Evans. We probably should have won the league but let it slip towards the end.

"But since then we've never even challenged so that's s something we're all looking for.

"I'd take a title medal over anything else at the moment because that would make my full set, but I just want to be competitive in the league."

A six point swing last season in the high profile showdowns with Manchester United would have painted a very different title picture, but Carragher has warned against the perils of concentrating solely on the games between the big four.

"They're big games, but it's not just about beating Manchester United or the other so-called big teams. I don't go along with that," he added. "Manchester United lost twice to Manchester City which no-one expected so who knows?"

Carragher returned to pre-season training last week - one of four senior specialist centre-backs now at the club.

But the prospect of battling with Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel and fit again Daniel Agger does not worry him.

"I've had a few seasons like that over the years where the competition for places has been intense," he added. "But that's what it's about at Liverpool. It's about the battle for your place and I'm prepared to fight and battle as well as anyone.

"I expected to play in the past and I expect to play again next season.

"Every day you go into training you feel as though you have to prove yourself all over again, although to be honest I don't think I'll change anything. I always work hard and I'll continue to do so."

RAFA BENITEZ'S first signings of the summer are full-backs.

But that doesn't mean the Reds boss is planning a more cautious approach to the forthcoming campaign.

Liverpool scored more than a century of goals last season, including a record breaking haul in the Champions League.

And Benitez believes that the additions of adventurous defenders like Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena can increase his team's attacking options even more.

After completing the free transfer capture of Degen from Borussia Dortmund yesterday, Benitez said: "He's very strong. He likes to go forward, he's very offensive and will give us options on the right hand side.

"People talk about wingers but he will give us width from the full-back area and that is important too.

"We were looking to improve some areas. On the right side we wanted to be more offensive and also on the left and that is the reason we brought in Degen.

"It is important for me to have one, two or even three players who can play in one position or different positions and compete for their place. We have that now."

Degen himself says the prospect of battling Steve Finnan and Alvaro Arbeloa for a first team place does not worry him.

"They are very good players and it will be difficult but I am ready for the challenge and look forward to breaking into the first team," he explained.

"I feel very good to be at Liverpool. It's a great club, with great fans and I am happy to be here. I know the club has a strong traditions and a rich history. I hope to play a big role in the future."

Degen joined Dortmund from Basel in 2005 and added: "The Bundesliga was a strong league too. But now I'm looking forward to the challenge of England and the Premier League which is probably the strongest league in the world right now.

"I have been to Anfield before with Basel, although I did not play. But it was a great experience and to see the fans singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" was something special."

Degen admitted that the presence of Benitez at Anfield was a major draw in his decision to join the Reds.

"He was very important," he added. "He is one of the finest coaches in the world. He has a fantastic record with both Liverpool and Valencia and I'm looking forward to working with him."

He also arrived at Anfield with instant ambitions.

"I think we can challenge for the Premier League," he said. "We have a very strong team with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. But there are some strong opponents in Manchester United and Chelsea so we will have to be very consistent.

"It's a long season and anything can happen but we will go into the first game of the campaign hoping to push them all the way."

Degen joined his new team-mates at Melwood this week and boss Benitez admitted he was already having to hold some of his players back.

"The commitment of the players is fantastic," he said. "Sometimes you need to stop them because they play with a very high tempo.

"I'm really pleased and it's normal at the start of the season for everyone to be eager to play and we also have players coming back next week, but with the ones we have here this week we are really pleased.

"I'm really pleased with Degen because we were working to try and find this kind of player in the full-back position with the ability to push forward. I think he is a good signing.

"It was another good acquisition through the scouting department because it is another Bosman player.

"The season before last we were watching him and we knew he would be a good addition. But we made our move this year because it was a better situation in terms of the contracts so it was straightforward."

Degen is likely to get an immediate chance to show Reds fans his potential in next weekend's opening pre-season friendly at Prenton Park.

"The first game is always important," said Benitez. "It will be close to our people and interesting for Merseyside so we will try to do well."

daveprentice@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Story by James Pearce

RAFA BENITEZ is facing the biggest season of his managerial career.

The past two campaigns have yielded just the Community Shield, and supporters are desperate for the Reds to finally produce a genuine title challenge.

However, the manager's mission to add to Anfield's silverware collection risks being undermined in the opening weeks of the season by events beyond his control.

FERNANDO TORRES paid a stirring tribute today to Liverpool FC and its fans - for helping turn him into a European champion.

The Reds striker scored a stunning winner to sink Germany last night and end Spain's 44-year wait for a major trophy.

Now he wants to follow up his first major success as a player by helping Liverpool to glory in the coming season.

MAURICIO PELLEGRINO is poised to return to Anfield as Rafael Benitez attempts to bring Robbie Keane to Merseyside.

Argentinian Pellegrino, 36, who played 12 games for Liverpool in 2005, has been approached by Benitez for a second stint at the club, this time as part of his coaching staff.

Liverpool are also trying to prise Keane, 27, away from Tottenham Hotspur in a swap deal involving Peter Crouch.

RAFA BENITEZ believes that he can end Liverpool's 18-year quest for a league title next season.

And the Reds boss admits that lifting the Premier League crown would be "the biggest achievement of my career."

Benitez has already guided Liverpool to Champions League glory, while in Spain he ended Valencia's 31-year wait for a La Liga crown, then added a league and UEFA Cup double two years later.

FERNANDO TORRES stands on the brink of ending a 44-year trophy drought for Spain this weekend.

But Liverpool will be the beneficiaries if the Reds striker can fire his country to European Championship glory in Vienna tomorrow night.

That's the view of Roger Hunt, one of the greatest Liverpool strikers of all time, and the last Reds star to figure in a major international final.

WITH a fanfare of trumpets and a glossy futuristic image, Liverpool proudly announced this week that "enabling works have started" on the brand new LFC stadium.

But still those ungrateful sods who are expected to fill the place didn't get excited.

Tom and George could be forgiven for asking: "You demanded a spade in the ground. What's the problem now?"

LIVERPOOL will stage a pre-season curtain raiser for the new season at Anfield on Friday, August 8.

But Italian giants Lazio are now the likely opposition - not Atletico Madrid.

The Reds had been negotiating with Fernando Torres' old club about the possibility of a friendly match at Anfield, but could not reach agreement.

FOOTBALLERS have a reputation for not being the sharpest tools in the box.

Quite understandably, a few complain about the stereotype, while others simply struggle to understand the metaphor.

But for every bright spark like Phil Neville or Jamie Carragher, there's a Harry Kewell

UNDER PRESSURE Reds defender Steve Finnan has a message to Anfield new boys Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena: "I'm not going easily!"

After being a virtual fixture in the Liverpool starting line-up since his £3.5m move from Fulham five years ago, Finnan found himself on the sidelines for much of last season.

He started just four of the Reds last 17 matches, then saw Swiss international right-back Degen and Italian international full-back Dossena signed in the summer.

MARTIN SKRTEL has pinpointed his liking for the physical battle as the secret of his early Anfield success.

The Slovakian joined Liverpool for £6million from Zenit St Petersburg in January and quickly established himself as a key man in Rafael Benitez's back four.

His performances helped take Liverpool to the brink of another European Cup final as - despite a nervy full debut against Havant & Waterlooville in the FA Cup fourth round - he adapted to the physical English style with little fuss.

Story by Luke Traynor

WORK has finally begun on paving the way for the new Liverpool FC stadium.

A licence issued by Liverpool council to Anfield officials prompted the start of preparatory work on the site on Monday.

Construction company Laing O'Rourke moved into Stanley Park as the project was finally given the green light

THE phoney war is nearly over, and the real business is about to start.

The vast majority of the transfer rumours which are the staple diet of the press and gossip websites can be dismissed as just that: rumours.

My mate saw Kaka in Lewis's; Ronaldinho is looking for a dentist in Manchester; Arshavin's dog is learning English.

ALVARO ARBELOA has echoed the thoughts of all Premier League defenders - by admitting he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo joins his former club Real Madrid.

The Liverpool defender, who began his career at the Bernabeu, was on the receiving end of the Manchester United winger's brilliance last season, when he scored 42 goals as they clinched a Premier League and Champions League double. And Ronaldo's departure would be a blessing for many Premier League defenders, according to the Spain international, who is currently away with his country for Euro 2008.

"If he leaves, Manchester United would lose the best player in the world," said Arbeloa

Story by Richard Down

BILL SHANKLY'S desk will stay in Merseyside, although it was not picked up at yesterday's auction by any of Liverpool's museums, after selling for £4,200.

Liverpool FC's legendary manager hammered out a resignation letter on the wooden rolltop in the early 1960s that could have killed off the club's glory years before they had even begun.

Fortunately, Tom Bush, a long- serving player-turned-coach, was instrumental in persuading him to change his

Story by Mike Perez

SPAIN'S penalty shoot-out victory over Italy on Sunday night which enabled them to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2008 was the stuff of legend, according to striker Fernando Torres.

Spain had gone into the clash in Vienna on a nine-match winning streak and unbeaten in 19 games overall, but history and fate appeared to be against them due to some notable statistics down the years.

Spain had not triumphed over Italy in a competitive match since 1920, while Spanish teams had only managed to progress beyond the last eight of a major tournament on three occasions in their history

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has rubbished reports claiming he has demanded a £50m transfer fund from the club's American owners.

The Reds boss woke up this morning to several stories which suggested he was risking Anfield's fragile peace pact by demanding money for David Villa, Daniel Alves and David Silva - as well as Gareth Barry.

But Benitez says he has not spoken to any journalists and has no idea where the reports originated.

LIVERPOOL'S American owners are facing a major credit crunch backlash over stalled plans to build a new stadium for the Reds.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett may need to put in as much as £100m of their own money if they want to borrow a further £200m.

And that casts massive doubt over their ability to go ahead with the ambition of building the 70,000 seat-plus super stadium, designed by Dallas based architects HKS and rolled out amid a fanfare of publicity last year