Lecter

Newcastle have

My Dad use to go and watch Manchester United as a kid (although hes been cured of that illness) and he reckons that Duncan Edwards was better than Charlton He (my dad) reckons Gerrard is the nearest thing to Edwards and reckons he will surpass him shortly (mainly due to Edwards dying at such an early age before he could develop)

Different players imo Gerrard plays more of the McMahon role Whelan played a holding role, a bit like a more mobile Hamman IMO Gerrard is the better all round player, the only thing I would say that Ronnie was more suited to than Gerrard is the holding role. Whelan was VERY disciplined and if I have one criticism of Gerrard its that at times he can lose concentration when asked to sit in that position hes better when hes free to roam about the pitch I'd have Gerrard ahead of Whelan though any day if I was put on the spot

According to Bascombe in last Saturdays football Echo we had to pay a fee for Aurelio because he'd already agreed to sign for a Uruguayan side (I presume it was a similar situation to Hamman ----> Bolton -----> Citeh)

Exactly also there are loyalty bonuses when players leave (unless they hand in a transfer request), sometimes we have to compensate players salary differences etc.... You cant just say fees outgoing less fees incoming = nett spend its far too simplistic

Can you give me a link to that Geordie site

That was originally posted on Cunny

Got any links could do with a laugh

Kuyt is one step closer to signing Aug 16 2006 By Ian Doyle, Daily Post DIRK KUYT has moved a step nearer to securing a move to Anfield after Feyenoord gave the striker permission to speak to Liverpool. Reports in Holland claim the 26-year-old has already spoken with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who outlined how his proposed plans for the striker this season. Some stories circulating yesterday used old quotes from Kuyt to suggest the forward is eyeing a move to Newcastle United. But the Holland international has informed Feyenoord of his desire to join Liverpool. And now Kuyt, who is part of the Holland squad that will face the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Dublin tonight, is waiting on Liverpool and Feyenoord to thrash out a fee, with the Dutch club still holding out for £10million. Meanwhile, Daniel Agger is confident his surprise Community Shield appearance can kickstart his Anfield career. The Denmark international started alongside Jamie Carragher in central defence against Chelsea on Sunday, only his fifth appearance since his £5.6million arrival from Brondby in January. It was also Agger's first outing of any kind since March after missing all Liverpool's pre-season friendlies through injury. But the 21-year-old believes his "unlucky" start to life at Anfield is in the past and is ready to challenge for a regular starting role. "It was a bit of a surprise to be selected, but that's what I'm here for. Although it was a surprise, I was ready," said Agger. "I wasn't thinking about the fact I was playing against Shevchenko, all I thought about was the game. To be playing made me happy so I was determined to do my best. "I think I've been unlucky since I moved to Liverpool because of injuries, but you just get on with it. Now I'm moving on and will keep working." A youthful Liverpool side will travel to Lincoln City for a friendly this evening at Sincil Bank (kick-off 7.30pm). The game was arranged as part of the transfer that took Jack Hobbs to Anfield last year.

Hes contracted till 2009

Its after the transfer window has closed

Agger aims to retain place Aug 15 2006 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo DANIEL AGGER hopes his confident return to senior action will ignite a Liverpool career he believes has endured an 'unlucky' start. The Danish international was a surprise inclusion for Sunday's Community Shield victory, but he justified the faith of the manager with an accomplished performance against Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko. It was only Agger's fifth first team appearance since his £5.5m switch from Brondby last January. But with competition for places at the heart of the Liverpool defence stronger than it's been for years, the 21-year-old is sure of his ability to be at the forefront of the manager's plans. "It was a bit of a surprise to be selected, but that's what I'm here for. To play, so although it was a surprise I was ready," said Agger. "I wasn't thinking about the fact I was playing against Shevchenko, all I thought about was the game. To be playing made me happy so I was determined to do my best. "I think I've been unlucky since I moved to Liverpool because of injuries, but you just have to get on with it. Now I'm moving on and will keep working. "I've always felt a lot of confidence in my ability. I believe in myself and I know what I can and can't do. "Now I hope this is a new start and the bad luck I've had is in the past." Like much of the Liverpool squad, Agger is on international duty for the rest of the week. Rafa Benitez was back at his desk at Melwood today hoping to conclude the £10m switch of Dirk Kuyt. The Dutch international is now understood to be very close to concluding one of the longest transfer sagas of the summer. Meanwhile, Scott Carson has been allowed to join Charlton on a season's loan. Carson recently signed a new deal at Anfield, but Benitez is keen to see the youngster earn regular Premiership experience. The second leg of Liverpool's Champions League tie against Maccabi Haifa, meanwhile, will be played in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev next Tuesday.

My wife works for an investment company in Liverpool and she was saying that a number of people were speculating along similar lines today re Kraft coming back into the fray

Deleted

Kuyt prefers Newcastle United By Jan Hattinga - August 13 2006 Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt thinks he will end up at Liverpool instead of his prefered destination Newcastle United. Kuyt would love to replace Geordie legend Alan Shearer at Newcastle but it seems unlikely that the Magpies will match Feyenoord's asking price. Kuyt told me last week that he desperately wants to sign for Newcastle United. "I've always wanted to be a hero, I have that status now at Feyenoord and I want to achieve that at my next club too. I know quite a bit about Newcastle, they're one of the best supported teams in the Premier League and they're a typical English club. It would be a dream to play for them." The striker is unsure whether he will be a Toon hero next season, though. "I know Feyenoord are asking a massive fee and I don't know if Newcastle are willing to match that." Liverpool are more likely to take the gamble and pay Feyenoord's asking price of around £10 million. "I would consider a move to Liverpool, they're likely to progress to the Champions League group stages, I would love to play in that competition but my first choice is Newcastle."

For some reason Football Echo articles are never added to the icliverpool website only the back pages of the Saturday Daily Post and Echo are added Heres the article in full Football Echo - Saturday, August 12, 2006 By Chris Bascombe THE FINAL PIECE TO AN AGE OLD PUZZLE Striker can complete the jigsaw England?s national jigsaw championships took place in Surrey just a few weeks ago, fortunately, Liverpool weren?t? represented. As anyone who?s followed the club for the last 16 years will tell you, the club struggles so often assembling ?the last piece? they?re still in the process of completing a puzzle they started in 1990. By the end of the week Rafa Benitez should be unveiling the latest missing segment. When Dirk Kuyt arrives, which thankfully looks increasingly inevitable, major business will be concluded for another summer and the first serious assessments of the new Liverpool can proceed. Benitez has argued with some justification he doesn?t possess the financial might of Chelsea, but other than Jose Mourinho, nobody does. Relatively speaking the purchase of Kuyt for £10m will demonstrate once more that although the Reds desperately need more capital, any accusations they fail to back their managers in the transfer market are grossly unfair. Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier all broke the club?s transfer record, in some cases more than once. Benitez hasn?t yet eclipsed the £14m wasted on Djibril Cisse on one player, but after the latest round of spending no-one will be able to take future hints of poverty seriously. Proving Kuyt arrives, and that?s the key here, Liverpool will have signed six players for a combined cost well in excess of £25m. That?s a ball park figure because some of the fees remain undisclosed. It?s emerged Fabio Aurelio, for example, wasn?t a free transfer from Valencia after all. The Brazilian signed a pre-contract with a Uruguayan club last January, so Liverpool had to pay the South Americans to bring him in. it can also be argued a portion of the fees can be accounted for through player sales. But in the closed season, only Fernando Morientes? departure brought any reasonable return. When any investment in the squad is compared to Chelsea, clearly Liverpool look like poorer cousins. You can take a figure of £25 m and bend it to suit whatever argument you feel like depending on whether Liverpool have won or lost their last match. Compared to the rest of the Premiership (aside from Chelsea, the ludicrous Newcastle who spend money that?s not their own and Portsmouth and their ?mystery? backers) the Red are hardly misers. And if the vast investment in transfers since 1990 proves anything, it?s not how much you spend that matters most, it?s what you spend it on. Take a poll of the greatest signing the club has made in that time, and if the £2.5m for Sami Hyppia isn?t at the top, you?ve been asking the wrong people. Liverpool?s board will hope they haven?t any black cheques to hand the manager this summer has a positive effect. Benitez has stated regularly how his scouts have to work harder and take more care because mistakes can?t be afforded. The luxury of wasting £14m on a striker who is clearly not good enough will never be granted in the current regime and who?s going to argue? At times this summer it?s been easy to identify moments of mil discord, mainly when Benitez?s frustration with the lack of a conclusion with both the Alves and Kuyt deals lingered. Tension between the managers demands and the boardroom?s enforced pragmatism are hardly new. Since the days of Bill Shankly, the Anfield board has been handed a wish list at the end of every May, only to send it back with crosses through one or two names beyond the club?s resources. As another round of Shankly books are testifying, the legendary Scot offered and retracted his resignation on an annual basis when deals weren?t agreed for his number one targets. The echoes from history are eerie when analysing the relationship between Benitez and his board. Political contests are a deeply absorbing aspect of the game, and the current Liverpool boss has an expertise when it comes to battles of will. Of course, unlike Shankly, there?s never been anything so dramatic as a threat to walk from Benitez - even if the Real Madrid saga last spring was a bit close for comfort - but the age old problem of what a manager wants and what he can actually afford is as significant now as it?s ever been. Kuyt?s signature should ensure both the manager and board feel hugely satisfied with their summer?s business. Benitez began the pre-season hoping for at least seven new faces, and Kuyt would make six. If Jerzy Dudek leaves the club, or Scott Carson is sent on loan, a new keeper may yet be added. Of those top of the ?wish-list? only Daniel Alves escaped Benitez?s grasp and he?s young enough to arrive at a later date. Early indications suggest Jermaine Pennant will prove a hugely encouraging compromise anyway. So smiling faces and pats on the back all round if Kuyt holds aloft his red jersey over the next few days. Now let?s hope that jigsaw is finally complete.

According to the Echo Diao returned to Liverpool after postponing a planned trial at The Valley.

Cash is in place for new Anfield Jul 27 2006 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo LIVERPOOL FC have assured European moneymen that cash to pay for their new stadium is in place. Club officials will not attend a key meeting today when the future of £9m of European Objective One funding earmarked for the Stanley Park scheme could be decided. But the Reds have already told the European Objective One committee that they have the resources to press ahead with the £190m, 60,000-seater stadium. The European money will not be used to pay for the ground, but for the regeneration of the deprived Anfield and Breckfield communities nearby. The Objective One committee had set a deadline of today for the club to confirm it has the privatemoney to pay forits share of the project. In theory, it could now decide to take the money away from Liverpool if it is not happy with what the club is saying. But it is far more likely that they will instead accept that progress is being made and extend the deadline to give the Reds more time to firm up their proposals. Liverpool are hopeful the funding will remain in place, although club insiders insist if the decision goes against the club, it will not spell the end of their stadium plans. Club officials acknowledge the loss of the European grant would be a significant blow, but would not derail the process of leaving the current site. Chief executive Rick Parry recently spoke of his confidence Liverpool will secure the multi-million pound investment they need to build the complex on Stanley Park. The club has been in talks with several interested parties, with at least one thought to be at an advanced stage. The overall project needs more than £18m from Europe and the government to pay for the regeneration of Stanley Park and the surrounding area. Land occupied by the current ground will be turned into Anfield Plaza, a new public square lined with homes, shops and leisure facilities. Two weeks ago, senior councillors voiced their fears that this part of the scheme could fail if Liverpool are unable to come up with their share of the stadium cash. Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for economic development, said: "Even though European funding will not be used for the stadium itself, the stadium is seen as a vital part of the regeneration project. "If the stadium money is not forthcoming, regeneration will not take place in the way currently envisaged. "If this particular package does not come together, it will not be the public sector's fault, it will be LFC that failed to bring cash to the table."

Pennant to seal Anfield switch Jul 26 2006 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo JERMAINE Pennant today headed to Merseyside to undergo a medical ahead of a £6m Liverpool move - and is set to make his debut this weekend. And after Rafa Benitez ends his year-long search for an elusive right winger, he'll turn his attentions to completing his major transfer business of the summer with a move for Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt. While the Liverpool squad flew to Switzerland for their pre-season camp, club doctor MarkWaller remained at Melwood to oversee Pennant's medical. The 23-year-old is likely to put pen to paper later today, allowing him to join his new team-mates before this weekend's friendly with Kaiserslautern. Pennant has already been pencilled in for a possible debut for the fixture in Liechtenstein. His arrival ends the Reds' quest for Daniel Alves for another season. Liverpool have paid well beyond their initial valuation for the midfielder, but Benitez will still have some funds available to target another striker. However, he still needs to cut several more players from his squad to generate additional cash for a realistic bid for Kuyt, who's valued around £10m by his Dutch club. One player who's clarified his future is rookie goalkeeper Scott Carson, who's been handed a new five year contract. Carson was the subject of interest from Portsmouth, and Liverpool could have cashed in on the England international. But Benitez was always reluctant to allow the youngster to leave and has now seen the keeper commit his long-term future to the club. That will open the door for Jerzy Dudek to leave Anfield. Portsmouth have also shown interest in a £1.5m move for the Polish keeper. Carson isn't the only Anfield youngster celebrating anew deal. Highly-rated teenager Paul Anderson has also been rewarded with fresh terms, having impressed since his move from Hull six months ago. * Reports in Spain today suggested Real Madrid have made an official bid of £20m for Xabi Alonso. But Benitez today reiterated there's no chance of Alonso leaving the club. "This report isn't true and we've not had a bid," said Benitez. "I've spoken to the people in Madrid and told them there is no chance of us selling Xabi. "Xabi has already said he's happy here so there's no possibility of him leaving." Florent Sinama-Pongolle has stayed at Melwood after suffering a hamstring strain, with Stephen Warnock also recovering from a minor operation.

I think Ray signed for us in the October or November of that season The season had certainly started by the time Houghton arrived

I am sure the local weather report last night said it was gonna get hotter as the week goes on with Saturday being the peak temperature

Just to complicate the issue further Alves' official site says this http://danielalves.net/ 30 JUNIO 2006. SÓLO LA FORMA DE PAGO FRENA LA VENTA DE ALVES El Liverpool ha aceptado invertir 15 millones de euros El culebrón del verano en el Sevilla no termina de aclararse. La salida de Daniel Alves camino de Liverpool parece no concretarse nunca. Cuando parecía todo hecho se enfrío hasta extremos que hacían peligrar la operación y ahora parece que las partes vuelven a acercarse. Las cantidades económicas siguen fijadas en los 15 millones de euros. En concreto, los británicos pagarían 13 y el resto sería en función de unos objetivos a marcar. El cuadro hispalense desea aumentar el fijo pero parece complicado que los Reds aumenten la cantidad. Ahora, sin embargo, el gran problema es la forma de pago. Ese punto es el que tiene paralizada la operación. El Sevilla ya tenía asimilada la marcha del brasileño pero no de cualquier forma. Por ello, en ese punto están las negociaciones. Pero parece claro que cualquier obstáculo será superado debido a la insistencia de Rafa Benítez. El técnico español sueña con tener a Alves para el puesto de interior derecho y todos los datos que maneja sobre él son magníficos. El entrenador incluso ha solicitado unos informes sobre todo el entorno del jugador y su comportamiento fuera de los terrenos de juego y éstos no han podido ser más satisfactorios. Así, además del interés por su gran juego se unen el resto de facetas de Alves. Así la operación podría cerrarse en cualquier momento. No obstante, está claro que los británicos no aumentarán la cantidad ofrecida ya que también necesitan un nuevo delantero tras la baja de Cissé y la venta de Morientes al Valencia. De momento, ayer cerraron sin coste alguno al lateral izquierdo ex valencianista Fabio Aurelio.

You've been spending too much time with Dunk again Anyway enjoy your holiday Dan

Walcott scout gets Reds role Jun 29 2006 By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo THE scout who discovered Theo Walcott has been handed a key talent finding role at Liverpool's Academy. Malcolm Elias has announced he's leaving his job as Head of Recruitment at Southampton to take on the same position for the Reds. Although Liverpool won the FA Youth Cup this season, there have been murmurings for some time about the overall standard of young players coming through the ranks in recent seasons. The appointment of Elias will build on the necessary changes Rafa Benitez has enforced at the Melwood end of the youth recruitment operation. Benitez and his backroom staff took their own steps a year ago by signing five of the teenagers who starred in the Youth Cup Final. That policy proved a success when a combination of Melwood and Kirkby youngsters lifted the trophy for the first time since 1996. Chief executive Rick Parry believes Liverpool have now appointed one of the most accomplished talent scouts in the country. He said: "Malcolm has a fantastic track record at Southampton and an extremely good reputation. We've been looking to expand our recruitment department at The Academy for some time, and this appointment is part of that. As ever, we've taken an opportunity to bring one of the best in the business to Liverpool." Southampton's youth side has been considered one of best in the country for several years. Elias' most famous signing was the teenage sensation Walcott, who he signed from Swindon for £200,000 seven years ago. Walcott later joined Arsenal for £12m. Now the Reds will be hoping Elias' talent spotting brings players of similar class to Merseyside. Meanwhile, Bolton believe they've convinced Didi Hamann to join them, after the midfielder originally had second thoughts on the signing.

Nistelrooy is dutch for horse