Montse

A Liverpool double as stars become fathers on same day May 10 2006 Daily Post LIVERPOOL FC is celebrating two new additions to the ranks of its star players. Robbie Fowler is now a proud father for the fourth time after his wife Kerrie gave birth at the Liverpool Women's Hospital to a 7lbs 8oz baby boy at around 5.30pm yesterday. It is the first son for the Fowler family, after three daughters. The new arrival, who is yet to be named, came just hours after captain Steven Gerrard became a proud father for the second time. The England player's fiancee, Alex Curran, 23, gave birth to their daughter Lexie, weighing 7lb 6oz, at the Liverpool Women's Hospital. Gerrard, 25, said: "We are both absolutely delighted." The couple already have a 27-month-old daughter, Lilly-Ella. Gerrard was named in England's World Cup squad by Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday. It is understood the couple had requested the baby be induced before Gerrard travels to Germany to join the England World Cup squad. A spokesman for the star player said he hoped Alex would be able to travel with him to the World Cup. Well done Robbie too!

Congrats Mr and Mrs G - so much for not being distracted this week just make sure you get plenty of kip!

As Mike Bassett said 'Where on this fag packet does it say Benson & Hedges'

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I'm sure I read somewhere that refs and officials were on a good pay day for the WC sommat like £20k!

Hes a tough old cookie is our Xabi now lets get him in an oxygen tent and book a faith healer

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Cisse £12million. 'Morientes £5million Luis Garcia £8.5million Didi Hamann £2.5million Djimi Traore £3.5million Neil Mellor £4million Florent-Sinama Pongolle £4.5million Anthony Le Tallec £5million.' What planet is this guy on! I really dont think Luis and Didi are going anywhere but the rest are mad numbers!

By the magic of the interweb I can tell you its Feeder and Feeling a Moment I thangye

Hes signing a new contract next week for 1 yr according to SSN!

Sorry if this is Rom but just found this which has left me all goose bumpy! Some fantastic clips from us over the years in the cup with more than one entry from Robbie Enjoy! Thanks to ScouseUK

LFC AIMING FOR NO.1 WITH CUP FINAL SONG Liverpoolfc.tv 05 May 2006 Liverpool Football Club will release a brand new re-working of the legendary Johnny Cash classic 'Ring of Fire' as their official song for the FA Cup final with all proceeds being donated to charity. Originally penned by June Carter and Merie Kilgour, the song reached No.1 in the Country Charts when recorded by Cash in 1963 and now Liverpool Football Club are hoping to score a number one of their own when the new version is released next week. Performed by 'The Boot Room All-Stars' - Tim Speed and Apollo 440 - and featuring the distinctive vocals of Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch, the song will be available as a download only on liverpoolfc.tv. The single will first be available to download during the week of the FA Cup final. All proceeds from the sales of the download will go to the Marina Dalglish Appeal, an organisation set up by Marina and Kenny Dalglish to raise money for a new Oncology ward at University Hospital Aintree. 'Ring of Fire' Trivia: Did you know? Johnny Cash's version of 'Ring of Fire' was first adopted by Liverpool supporters travelling to away matches as long ago as 2002 but grew in popularity as the Reds trailed a blaze through Europe on route to last season's Champions League final in Istanbul. The song was played in the Liverpool players dressing room in the Atatürk stadium in Istanbul before the Champions League final against AC Milan in May 2005 and after winning the game on penalties, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard were caught singing the song's tune 'Der-der-der-der-der-der-der-derrrrrr' live on TV. Ian McCulloch is a lifelong Liverpool supporter and Main Stand season ticket holder. He first started visiting Anfield as a young boy and his first hero was 'Sir' Roger Hunt. The Boot Room All-Stars' version of 'Ring of Fire' contains backing vocals from the travelling Liverpool supporters at Old Trafford during the FA Cup Semi-Final victory over Chelsea and also the Kop during the final Premiership game of the season at Anfield against Aston Villa. 'Ring of Fire' was played by the English cricket team in the dressing room on the final day of the 3rd Test match against India on 22 March 2006. Inspired by the effect it had on the Liverpool players, England came out and took seven wickets for 25 runs in the space of 89 balls to complete their first victory on Indian soil for 21 years. Ring of fire The Boot Room All-Stars featuring Ian McCulloch are not the first group to cover 'Ring of Fire'. Past cover versions of the track have been performed by Frank Zappa, Ray Charles, Grace Jones, Coldplay and Joaquin Phoenix.

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Anfield marvel will be perfect in the hole left by Rooney absence By Glenn Moore, Football Editor Published: 01 May 2006 When Steven Gerrard reluctantly ran through Sven Goran Eriksson's options in the wake of Wayne Rooney's injury he omitted what may prove to be the Swede's solution - himself. "I don't want to talk about what alternatives there are and what chances it gives to other people," Gerrard said. "Let's just keep our fingers crossed that Wayne does go to the World Cup. But if it's not to be, obviously it is an opportunity for other people to play - Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent." Given that neither Crouch, nor Bent, have scored internationally, and Defoe is something of a Michael Owen clone, it is probable that Eriksson will look for a different resolution. There is no like-for-like alternative. As Sir Bobby Robson said yesterday: "We can't replace Rooney, I don't think there's another player like him in the country... there's hardly another player like him in Europe." But one man's injury is another's opportunity and Rooney's woe could mean joy for Michael Carrick, and the liberation of Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Eriksson's biggest dilemma, prior to the moment Rooney lay crumpled on the Stamford Bridge turf, was how to integrate both Lampard and Gerrard into the England team. Both are best in the centre, where their energy, tackling and eye for goal can be utilised, but neither are comfortable when required to occupy a defensive role. The sight of both bombing forward during the final minutes in Chorzow, as England clung on to the lead against Poland during the qualifying campaign, ought to live long in Eriksson's memory. Eriksson had paired them in Portugal, during the European Championships, to the astonishment of Uefa's technical study group who noted that no team in the modern era had lifted a major trophy fielding four offensive midfielders. Despite this the indications are that he was planning to repeat the experiment in Germany. Now, though, he may reconsider because for the first time since Nicky Butt dropped out of the reckoning he has someone who can play as a sitting midfielder. Michael Carrick has had an excellent season with Tottenham and impressed when used in the holding role for England over the past year. He has only won four international caps but has played alongside most of the team at Under-21 level and with Lampard, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand at West Ham United. If he fills the holding role Eriksson can ask Lampard to play at the apex of what would be a diamond formation, free of defensive responsibilities, and Gerrard to take over Rooney's mantle. He is not as imaginative or intuitive as the Manchester United player, but few players are. He does make things happen, and he scores goals. He has also played there successfully for Liverpool during the last two seasons, notably in the second half of last May's Champions' League final. I think he played in every position that half! Another possibility is Cole, whose vision and playmaking skills are akin to Rooney's, whose physical strength has developed, and whose finishing has improved. But that does not solve the midfield conundrum, and it creates a hole on the left - one which Gerrard has filled with reluctance in the past. Or Eriksson could field a conventional front two - a style which had gone out of fashion at top-level international football but may be coming back with Germany and Italy among the teams likely to field twin strikers, the latter albeit with Francesco Totti behind them. This would mean Owen, assuming he is fit, partnering either Crouch or Bent. More probable is that they would be kept in reserve on the bench. And what happens if Gerrard proves a sensation as Rooney's understudy, England sweep into the final on the back of his goals, and then Rooney is ready to return? Does Eriksson bring him back? Obviously? Forty years ago Alf Ramsey was faced with a similar choice. He kept faith with Geoff Hurst at the expense of Jimmy Greaves, the finest goalscorer of the age, and the rest is oft-repeated history. Would Eriksson be as brave? He would love the opportunity to consider it. When Steven Gerrard reluctantly ran through Sven Goran Eriksson's options in the wake of Wayne Rooney's injury he omitted what may prove to be the Swede's solution - himself. "I don't want to talk about what alternatives there are and what chances it gives to other people," Gerrard said. "Let's just keep our fingers crossed that Wayne does go to the World Cup. But if it's not to be, obviously it is an opportunity for other people to play - Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Darren Bent." Given that neither Crouch, nor Bent, have scored internationally, and Defoe is something of a Michael Owen clone, it is probable that Eriksson will look for a different resolution. There is no like-for-like alternative. As Sir Bobby Robson said yesterday: "We can't replace Rooney, I don't think there's another player like him in the country... there's hardly another player like him in Europe." But one man's injury is another's opportunity and Rooney's woe could mean joy for Michael Carrick, and the liberation of Gerrard and Frank Lampard. Eriksson's biggest dilemma, prior to the moment Rooney lay crumpled on the Stamford Bridge turf, was how to integrate both Lampard and Gerrard into the England team. Both are best in the centre, where their energy, tackling and eye for goal can be utilised, but neither are comfortable when required to occupy a defensive role. The sight of both bombing forward during the final minutes in Chorzow, as England clung on to the lead against Poland during the qualifying campaign, ought to live long in Eriksson's memory. Eriksson had paired them in Portugal, during the European Championships, to the astonishment of Uefa's technical study group who noted that no team in the modern era had lifted a major trophy fielding four offensive midfielders. Despite this the indications are that he was planning to repeat the experiment in Germany. Now, though, he may reconsider because for the first time since Nicky Butt dropped out of the reckoning he has someone who can play as a sitting midfielder. Michael Carrick has had an excellent season with Tottenham and impressed when used in the holding role for England over the past year. He has only won four international caps but has played alongside most of the team at Under-21 level and with Lampard, Joe Cole and Rio Ferdinand at West Ham United. If he fills the holding role Eriksson can ask Lampard to play at the apex of what would be a diamond formation, free of defensive responsibilities, and Gerrard to take over Rooney's mantle. He is not as imaginative or intuitive as the Manchester United player, but few players are. He does make things happen, and he scores goals. He has also played there successfully for Liverpool during the last two seasons, notably in the second half of last May's Champions' League final. Another possibility is Cole, whose vision and playmaking skills are akin to Rooney's, whose physical strength has developed, and whose finishing has improved. But that does not solve the midfield conundrum, and it creates a hole on the left - one which Gerrard has filled with reluctance in the past. Or Eriksson could field a conventional front two - a style which had gone out of fashion at top-level international football but may be coming back with Germany and Italy among the teams likely to field twin strikers, the latter albeit with Francesco Totti behind them. This would mean Owen, assuming he is fit, partnering either Crouch or Bent. More probable is that they would be kept in reserve on the bench. And what happens if Gerrard proves a sensation as Rooney's understudy, England sweep into the final on the back of his goals, and then Rooney is ready to return? Does Eriksson bring him back? Obviously? Forty years ago Alf Ramsey was faced with a similar choice. He kept faith with Geoff Hurst at the expense of Jimmy Greaves, the finest goalscorer of the age, and the rest is oft-repeated history. Would Eriksson be as brave? He would love the opportunity to consider it. Indie I'd love to see this, Gerrard would have a field day!

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I saw this posted on the beeb forum but its an interesting financial read also its the first time I had seen mention of the Adidas deal and potential investors.... Winner With Losses Jack Gage, 04.24.06 David Moores did a masterful job of returning his Liverpool Reds to glory on the pitch. But his refusal to yield control of the club has led to financial strains and a decline in its value. In December 2004 David Moores, chairman of and largest investor in the fabled Liverpool Reds, appeared to be distraught as he addressed his football team's board. Moores fretted that the financially strapped club would have to scuttle plans for a $290 million stadium. Unwilling to tap into his own inheritance (recently monetized in a public offering of the Littlewoods activewear and sports-pool combine), Moores stressed that the stadium was needed to bring in receipts the Reds needed to remain competitive on the pitch against much wealthier rivals like Manchester United and Chelsea. "These past 12 months have not been easy," said Moores during the meeting. "We are looking at all roads to get investment into this club, including offers already on the table." But a full year and surprising Champions League (all-European tournament) title later, the club's inner circle must have been shocked to hear the same sentiments from Moores. The team posted 2005 operating losses (in the sense of earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation) of $2.9 million despite $52 million in bonus revenue from European competition. We estimate that the value of Liverpool fell 11% in the past year, to $392 million. How could the finances be so dismal? The club had come to life under new coach Rafael Benitez and such star players as midfielder Steven Gerrard and defender Jamie Carragher. Entering last spring's European competition a heavy underdog, it faced overhauled rival Chelsea in the Champions semifinals. After dispatching "Roman's Army," as the property of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is known, Liverpool won a come-from-behind upset of Italian powerhouse AC Milan. It was the fifth such title in the team's storied history, dating to 1892. Following the Champions tourney hysteria, Liverpool's fan base soared to 18 million people worldwide, from just 8 million the year before, according to German sports consultant Sport & Markt AG. Besides collecting the bonus revenue, a record number of visitors to the club's Web site generated $1.2 million last year, 11 times 2004 Web-related revenue. Moores has since ironed out a contractual dispute with shirt sponsor Reebok, yielding a more lucrative six-year pact that could be worth $180 million on top of another deal with Adidas. He also extended the club's 12-year sponsorship by Danish brewer Carlsberg, the longest-running commercial partnership in England's elite Premier League. Despite Liverpool's rebound on the pitch, it has taken Moores' commitment and financial legwork just to keep the lights on. The risky business of selling one player to pay another helped the Reds post an accounting profit in 2005, but a $115 million payroll, at 73% of ex-Champions League revenue, is too rich. Had Liverpool missed qualifying for the 2005 Champions bracket, the club very well could have been running $55 million short of breath. While performance on the field does not guarantee financial success (see Japan's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks), a state-of-the-art stadium nearly does. Manchester City went from a $9 million operating loss in 2002 to profits of more than $7 million following its first season in City of Manchester Stadium, putting it in the company of rich clubs like London's Arsenal on a percentage of total revenue basis. The Reds meanwhile pull in only $59 million from stadium revenues; ManU gets more than double that. With a capacity of 45,000, Liverpool's Anfield can't accommodate the crowds Manchester United packs into its Old Trafford stadium (68,000, expanding to 76,000 this year). Worse, Liverpool's ticket prices are lower. Match-day revenue contributed only 27% of total income for Liverpool, a far cry from the 38% to 42% seen at rivals ManU, Newcastle United and Chelsea. Making matters worse, a new broadcasting agreement for the Premier League will diminish fees paid out to clubs. This particularly hurts Liverpool, whose fans travel the farthest of any Premier club (50 miles on average) to home matches, according to research consultant SportsWise. One way to boost operating income would be to solicit some new equity capital and invest in a new stadium. But Moores, who owns 51% of the team, is not enthusiastic about diluting his stake. (He declines to be interviewed on the subject.) There is equity money to be had from, for example, the owner of the NFL's New England Patriots, Robert Kraft. The billionaire has reportedly offered to bankroll up to $100 million of the proposed construction of Liverpool's new stadium in return for a minority stake and has even hosted Liverpool Chief Executive Richard Parry at Foxboro Stadium in the U.S. Who better to have as an investor than Kraft, who pumped $350 million of his own money into a new stadium for a Patriots franchise he bought for $172 million in 1994 and turned into a three-time Super Bowl champion and the third-most-valuable football team, worth $1 billion. Kraft also owns the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. Prior to Kraft, Thailand's wealthy Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made intimations that he, the Thai government or private Thai companies (depending on the day) had interest in the club. But how a 30% stake worth up to $110 million would be financed dissolved talks prematurely. Another knocking at Liverpool's door has been Spanish tycoon Juan Villalonga, a former president of Spanish telecom giant Telefónica. By far Liverpool's most visible suitor has been Moores' fellow club director, centimillionaire British businessman Steven Morgan. Boardroom bickering spilled over once again in February at the club's annual general meeting as Morgan, now the third-largest shareholder, contended that Liverpool's debt burden ($47 million) meant he should get a discount on buying a majority stake. As early as 2004's general meeting, it was Morgan's wife who voiced her frustration over spurned attempts by her husband to scoop up shares in the club. "Here is a local, successful businessman willing to put millions into this club," said Didy Morgan. "Yet we're still waiting by the phone." Morgan, flush from a likely sale of his stake in a hotel group, may renew his efforts to recapitalize the club. At some point, if the price gets high enough or the balance sheet strained enough, Moores might just take the money. Forbes mag

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