GWistooshort

News of the World 28/11/09 BABEL HEADS FOR EXIT TO BAYERN Loan deal on cards for unsettled winger By Greg Gobere LIVERPOOL are ready to offload motormouth Ryan Babel to Bayern Munich. Boss Rafa Benitez lost patience after the Holland star complained about his lack of starts for the club in midweek. He will be loaned to Louis van Gaal's side with a view to a £9million move in the summer. A source said: "Rafa has totally blanked Babel since his outburst. He understands some of his concerns but has made it clear to the player more than once he will only play who he believes to be his strongest XI and won't budge. "Rafa cannot give Babel the assurances he needs with the World Cup coming up so he will let him go if he's not happy. "The manager's only concern with this is that he won't be getting any money to improve the squad from the move." Former Ajax star Babel has only made 24 Premier League starts since arriving at Anfield for £11.5m in the summer of 2007. Holland boss Bert van Marwijk has told Babel he will only go to the World Cup if he plays regularly. But Babel's representatives are already working to secure a perfect escape route. Van Gaal has known Babel since he was a child and is confident the 22-year-old can make his mark at Bayern and the club have no problem taking on his £40,000-per-week wages. The Dutch coach's ongoing feud with Italian striker Luca Toni is also likely to give Babel an opportunity to play up front with either Mario Gomez or Miroslav Klose. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/6219...-TO-BAYERN.html

Rafa said the other day Aquilani was going to play in the reserve match the other day that got called off

Rafa responds............. "Rafael Benítez has accused Jamie Redknapp, the Sky pundit and former Liverpool captain, of using his position in the media to try to benefit Tottenham Hotspur, the club managed by his father, Harry. Last weekend, Redknapp suggested that the Liverpool manager was presiding over a team “going nowhere”. “I’m surprised that people who were close to Liverpool before are working so hard to try to help Tottenham stay in the top four,” Benítez said." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6935630.ece

The Mog?

From the official site.............. TORRES FITNESS UPDATE Jimmy Rice 27 November 2009 Fernando Torres will face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday's 212th Merseyside derby. The striker has not featured since our trip to Lyon on November 4 following a groin problem which originated on international duty. Having gone through two to three weeks of recuperation, Torres is nearing fitness. "We will check him tomorrow. He's training well, he's been with the physios and we'll check after the training session," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv. Elsewhere, Benitez has just two other injury doubts for the trip to Goodison. He said: "Ryan Babel will not be available and Martin Kelly is still training with the physios. "Albert Riera has been training so we'll have to decide. I don't see any other problems. Everyone is training." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091127-1326.htm

From this morning's Guardian............ "Liverpool's dependence on Torres and the lack of back-up – Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and David Ngog have just eight league goals between them – has led to speculation that Benítez may look to buy the Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, but a lack of funds makes a move difficult. There is little resale value on a 33-year-old who has only just returned from injury and is understood to want an 18-month deal, which Liverpool would be reluctant to offer. The former Manchester United striker has played only 11 minutes this season, during which he scored. His contract at Real expires at the end of the season but he admitted that he will seek a departure from the Bernabéu during the winter transfer window if he does not get more opportunities between now and January. He has ambitions of securing a place in the Holland squad for the World Cup." http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/no...-rafael-benitez

The Times November 27, 2009 Experience of Milan and Turin show that groundsharing lacks appeal in EuropeAnalysis Oliver Kay The standard line, the one that is trotted out every time the vexed issue of a groundshare between Everton and Liverpool is raised, is that if it is good enough for Milan — or Munich or Rome, for that matter — it is good enough for Merseyside. In theory, that is right. In theory, a shared stadium is the perfect business model — a no-brainer, as they say, — particularly in such a challenging economic climate, not least in a city such as Liverpool, where two great clubs encounter frustration and resistance at every turn in their separate attempts to find and build a new home. The barely mentioned truth, though, is that a groundshare is not good enough for Milan. If it were, Inter Milan would not have commissioned feasibility studies about moving to a new stadium of their own, having fallen out of love with the San Siro, which they have shared with AC Milan since 1947. According to Comperio, the company approached by Inter to conduct the studies, sharing a stadium “inhibits the revenue that can be generated by Inter developing premium corporate facilities” and “a new stadium would give Inter sole control over the design and management of the facilities, including the option of creating bespoke seating products tailored to the club’s supporters”. Nor, it seems, is groundsharing good enough for Rome, where Roma, after years of cohabiting with Lazio, have announced plans to leave the Stadio Olimpico for a new ground which, although smaller, will have greater revenue potential. What’s that you say? Turin? The Stadio Delle Alpi, previously home to Juventus and Torino, has lain derelict for three years and is in the process of being demolished. Both sets of supporters despised the place, in part due to its out-of-town location and in part, of course, because it never truly felt like home to either club. One lesson here — one that any architect designing a new stadium should bear in mind — is that the venues built and renovated for the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy, to huge acclaim across the world, have not dated well. Another is that, while sharing a ground may appear to make perfect business sense, football is one industry where it can be perilous to make cold-hearted business decisions and ignore the emotional aspect. In Germany, Bayern Munich and Munich 1860 are co-existing happily enough for now in the wonderful Allianz Arena, which is lit up in different colours according to which team is playing at home. All parties know, though, that Bayern are the senior partner and 1860 the poor relations. If Everton, having run out of options, were forced to go cap in hand to Liverpool, the same unappealing scenario might very easily apply. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6934240.ece

From today's Independent............ "Liverpool are not prepared to contemplate sharing with their neighbours, despite problems getting their own new Stanley Park stadium off the ground. The view from Anfield is that the credit markets are easing slightly, that there is some prospect of work beginning on their new stadium next summer and that after so many years of difficulty attempting to get the stadium built, going into partnership with Everton now is unthinkable." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...nd-1828557.html

Liverpool Daily Post Nov 27 2009 Liverpool FC confident of new stadium before 2018 World Cup LIVERPOOL are confident they will secure funds for a new stadium soon and be part of England’s World Cup bid, according to 2018 chief executive Andy Anson. A new stadium for the club, along with Everton’s rejected proposals for Kirkby, were included in the city’s proposals to stage games if the 2018 bid succeeds. Plans for Rafael Benitez’s team to move to Stanley Park have been hit by a number of delays, although Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow was positive about funding when he met Anson last week. Anson said: "Liverpool have a very convincing bid. It’s 2009 now and 2018 we’re talking about. "They are very optimistic that the funding for their new stadium is around the corner. "The fallback option is Anfield. They would clearly have to make improvements in the next nine years but it is there as an iconic stadium as part of their bid book. We’ll be evaluating their bid in that light." Anson suggested that a viable solution would be needed in nine months, adding: "It’s when the inspectors come over by the end of August that we must have a solution that everyone buys into and that is 100% credible." The bid for Liverpool to be a 2018 host included Everton’s plans for Kirkby, which was rejected by the Government the night before the 15 cities made their submissions at Wembley. Anson added: "I doubt they had time to rip out the pages." Everton chief executive Robert Elstone was at Wembley for Liverpool’s submission to the selection panel of Lord Mawhinney, Anson and 2018 chief operating officer Simon Johnson. Elstone afterwards admitted the club would consider a ground- sharing arrangement with Liverpool. He said: "It’s certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it’s affordable." Mawhinney, Anson and Johnson are due to announce between 12 and 18 stadiums on December 16, when Liverpool will find out whether any of the proposed stadia are accepted. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25266299/

I don't think that's the reason he doesn't talk to you Ryan

More from Ryan from today's Daily Post.... Babel has been told not to wear his blue boots in the derby. He said: “They’ve persuaded me not to do so. “Blue is the colour of Everton, the other club in town. “Liverpool and Everton are rivals but I don’t feel any hatred. “The crowd are noisy at the game but after the whistle everybody goes his own way. “I think the hate is more directed at Manchester United, because they are so successful.” Babel reveals that he is desperate to get a run of games at Liverpool and particularly relishes the big fixtures like the derby. He said: “I was included in the starting XI in my first derby. “I put in a fine display and was a constant menace to the defenders. “The clashes with Everton are nice fixtures, along with those against Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal. “I am so eager to play those game, but that’s exactly my problem: I am not often involved. I have been with Liverpool for two-and-a-half seasons now and I have never played two full matches in a row.” Team spirit is often a valuable commodity in derby games and Babel claims that while there is a good rapport between Liverpool’s players on the field, away from football there are various groups. He said: “What’s gone wrong this season? We just lack some good form. “We have a pretty good team, although Xavi Alonso left us for Real Madrid. Steven Gerrard is a star player, the best versatile midfielder in the world. He is a genuine leader. “Gerrard does not really talk to me because I hardly play.” Babel added: “We have a squad with many players from different backgrounds and cultures. We are a solid team on the pitch but off the pitch we go our own way. “ The Spanish-speaking players get along together well and the youth players tend to stick together. “Yossi Benayoun and Lucas and I get along like a house on fire. “I don’t communicate a lot with Dirk Kuyt. Dirk is friends with the Spanish players. “He plays cards with them and he seems to understand their jokes better than I do. “Nobody should feel sorry for me, though. “I am not a wallflower, sitting quietly in a corner, but I prefer to go my own way.” Babel believes he has now reached a crossroads in his Liverpool career. Reports yesterday suggested that Benitez might be ready to offload him during the January transfer window along with Ukrainian frontman Andriy Voronin. However, for all his comments on a supposed lack of opportunities, Babel insists he just wants to be given a chance to let his football do the talking. “I would love to be allowed to play a number of matches in a row and feel confident about that. I think I’ve come to terms with my predicament by keeping my composure and keeping on to believe in myself. “When I do well at training, I tell myself that I have proved I’m still up to it.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-25264653/2/

Here's what another great Liverpool striker thinks............. “Benitez has shown that he is the right man to take Liverpool forward,” Torres said. “When the club has needed to be strong it always has been. “Now is the time for everybody to stick together, from the manager right down to lowliest member of staff, because above all else we want to make our wonderful fans happy with our performances and results. “We must be united to finish as high as possible in the Premier League. I am convinced that we will end up in the top four. We also have high hopes for the FA Cup and the Europa League. At this time, this tournament has become a goal for the club.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25264652/ Are you listening Jamie Redknapp?

From Sky Sports website........... Everton may ground-share Toffees consider options after Kirkby rejection 26th November 2009 Everton chief executive Robert Elstone has revealed the club would consider sharing a ground with city rivals Liverpool after plans for a new stadium at Kirkby were rejected. The club and Tesco had hoped to build a new stadium and a shopping complex, in a move which would have seen Everton leave Goodison Park. However, the idea was turned down by Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham. The news has raised the possibility of Everton and Liverpool coming to an agreement to share a ground, with Liverpool's plans to build a new stadium at Stanley Park being hit by financial problems. The fierce rivals have previously expressed a reluctance about sharing a ground, but in the wake of the failed Kirkby project, Elstone has revealed Everton are not against the idea if it makes financial sense for both clubs. Option Asked about the idea of ground-sharing, Elstone told Sky Sports News. "It's certainly one of the options that we will need to cover. "A shared stadium is perhaps an option if it's affordable. "We have to look at where we can raise money, because potentially Liverpool will have to obviously contribute to that, and Liverpool City Council perhaps might need to find some money. "Our history is one of creativity and innovation and if we are the first major English club to look at sharing then we're not scared of making those decisions." Unlikely But Liverpool's deputy executive director Peter Shaw played down the possibility of the city's two clubs sharing a stadium. "It's not on our agenda at the moment," said Shaw. "Liverpool are progressing forward with our own stadium. That is the position we are still in. "The LFC stadium is quite far progressed and once the financial markets reopen for business the LFC stadium will progress further." When asked whether the idea of a groundshare with Everton could be a possibility, he said: "That's not for me to answer." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_5721630,00.html

& running an online debate & poll http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,15117_5721428,00.html

Daily Telegraph 26 Nov 2009 Real Madrid's Ruud van Nistelrooy would snub Arsenal in favour of joining Liverpool By Rory Smith Ruud van Nistelrooy is prepared to turn down the chance to join Arsenal in the January transfer window in an attempt to secure a move to Liverpool, his preferred destination - if he is allowed to leave Real Madrid. The former Manchester United striker has intimated to his advisers that he wishes to move to Anfield as back-up to the injury hit Fernando Torres, despite discreet inquiries on behalf of Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. The Frenchman is also considering a bid for André-Pierre Gignac, the Toulouse striker, after sending scouts to watch him play on several occasions this season. Sport on television Dutch international Van Nistelrooy has found himself on the fringes at the Bernabéu this season following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka, for a combined total of almost £170 million, in the summer. Van Nistelrooy has also fallen behind Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentine international, and Raul in manager Manuel Pellegrini's plans. Van Nistelrooy remains hopeful of retaining his place in Bert van Marwijk's Holland squad for the World Cup finals next summer but is believed to be conscious of his need to play more regularly if he is to do so. Despite the wealth of their attacking options, Real are not thought to be keen to part with the former Manchester United striker in January, as president Florentino Perez does not wish to weaken the resources at Pellegrini's disposal. The player's wish to leave, though, may force his hand. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is likely to commission the sale of at least three squad players when the January transfer window opens, with Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin the probable victims of his attempts to trim his playing staff. The Spaniard will be handed some funds to reinforce his depleted squad, though, with an experienced striker likely to be his priority, although Emile Heskey remains his preferred option. Real are prepared to sell Mahamadou Diarra, the central midfielder, as well as Van Nistelrooy's international team-mate Rafael van der Vaart. Tottenham are believed to be monitoring the former, while despite speculation, no Premier League sides are thought to be in the race for the latter. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...-Liverpool.html

Daily Mirror 26/11/09 Ruud van Nistelrooy will snub Arsenal to sign for Liverpool By David Maddock Ruud van Nistelrooy is ready reject a move to Arsenal to rescue Liverpool's season. The Real Madrid striker needs to play regular football to secure his place in Holland's World Cup squad and is expected to be allowed to leave the Bernebau at Christmas. Rafa Benitez will not be allowed to spend his way out of Liverpool's current crisis, so must raise any funds he wants to splash in the January transfer window - or make loan signings. Benitez was told his job at the club is completely safe, even after his team crashed out of the Champions League - with a game still left to play - on Tuesday night. He has also been told that former Manchester United star Van Nistelrooy is ready to turn down interest from the Gunners in a bid to secure a move to Liverpool. Liverpool's budget planning means they will not make funds available until next summer, when Benitez will have at least £20million to spend on squad strengthening. The Anfield boss has, however, identified a pressing need to enhance a strike force that has managed just four goals in their five Champions League games so far, a meagre total rendered even less impressive by the fact they have twice played Debrecen, the worst team in the competition. Van Nistelrooy has already fielded some discreet enquiries from the Emirates Stadium, but he has told his advisors that he would prefer a move back to the north west of England and a switch to Anfield, if - as seems likely - he is allowed to leave Real Madrid at Christmas. The Dutch striker knows he must play more football if he is to feature in next summer's World Cup finals, and has little chance of doing that at the Bernabeu, where he is behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Gonzalo Higuain and Raul in the Real pecking order. As back-up to injury stricken Fernando Torres at Liverpool, he would get more opportunities to play, and Benitez is now weighing up his options as he creates a blueprint to sort out his impoverished attacking options. No money will be available for a high profile signing, but he can raise funds by selling the likes of Andrei Voronin - who has been axed from the squad completely despite the lack of cover for Torres - Ryan Babel and Andrea Dossena. The flaw in that plan, of course, is that the trio of Anfield fringe players are hardly in demand across Europe, and it may be difficult to offload big money-earners with such a patchy recent playing record. Instead, Benitez may be tempted to let the three misfits go out on loan, at least creating a gap in the Anfield wage bill to bring in a loan player until the end of the season when he can turn the deal into a permanent signing. Madrid may be prepared to accept that sort of deal for Van Nistelrooy or Rafael van der Vaart, and Tottenham will consider a similar plan for their out of favour Russian centre =-forward Roman Pavlyuchenko, providing a fee is agreed for the summer. In the short-term, Benitez is praying he has Torres back for the visit to Everton on Sunday, a game he knows he dare not lose if he is to keep a sceptical Anfield support behind him. The Spanish coach is aware that ,even though he has received complete backing from Liverpool's owners and MD Christian Purslow, if he loses the fans, then that support could quickly change. And defeat at Goodison is unthinkable now, after crashing out of the Champions League in such embarrassing style, because losing to the Old Enemy would put the current crisis into stark context for the silent majority who are beginning to waver in their backing for the current regime. There have been few murmurings of discontent so far, but Benitez has already twice been booed by his home support this season, and nothing is designed to create unrest more than defeat to Everton, especially at such a sensitive time. Torres though, has made real progress in his recovery from an abdominal injury, and has trained for much of this week while his team-mates have been away in Hungary, and Benitez is now quietly confident he will have his main striking option back for the absolutely crucial showdown on Sunday. http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ruud-...icle232659.html

Liverpool Daily Post Nov 26 2009 Andriy Voronin and Ryan Babel may leave Liverpool FC in January clear-out by Ian Doyle ANDRIY VORONIN and Ryan Babel are set become the first casualties of Liverpool’s Champions League elimination. The pair are likely to be the most notable names to be told their futures lie away from the club as Rafael Benitez ponders a mini-clearout in January. The Anfield manager is hoping to raise funds to bolster his under-performing squad as he plans his long-term transfer strategy. And Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is believed to be keen on making a controversial move to Liverpool in the New Year. Voronin has not been involved in the matchday squad since starting the 1-1 Champions League draw in Lyon three weeks. The Ukraine international missed a gilt-edged chance during the match, with Liverpool’s failure to win contributing to their exit from the competition that was confirmed on Wednesday by Fiorentina’s 1-0 win over Lyon. Voronin has proven unpopular with large sections of the Anfield support since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer more than two years ago, and spent last season on loan at Hertha Berlin. Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed an interest in taking the 30-year-old back to the Bundesliga in the forthcoming January transfer window but a lack of finance means any move may only be temporary. Babel’s Anfield career is seemingly also in doubt after his latest outburst in which he reiterated a desire to leave in the New Year if he does not play more regularly. The 22-year-old also questioned some of the managerial methods of Benitez, which is unlikely to improve his chances of the first-team football he craves. But while Voronin and Babel edge nearer the Anfield exit, sources in Spain have suggested van Nistelrooy would jump at the chance of a move to Liverpool. The former Manchester United striker has intimated to his advisors that he wishes to make the transfer to provide back-up to the injury-hampered Fernando Torres. The Dutch international has found himself on the fringes at the Bernabeu this season following the arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka in the summer. Real, however, are not thought to be keen to part with van Nistelrooy as they challenge for the Champions League and La Liga title, although the player’s wish to leave may leave the Bernabeu outfit with little choice. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25256070/

Reports this morning in the Daily Post, the Mirror & the Telegraph all by different journos Looks like someone's been briefing the media

More from Barratt http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6931334.ece

Cascarino blames Rafa (no surprise there), Barclay blames Hicks & Gillett & Barratt blames the injuries http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle6932657.ece

As were Benayoun & Reina

From the Daily Post............... Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez wants Ryan Babel to explain outburst by Dominic King, Liverpool Echo RYAN BABEL will be hauled into Rafa Benitez’s office today and asked to explain his latest petulant outburst. The Liverpool winger hit the headlines on Tuesday after a string of inflammatory quotes about his predicament and squad issues were attributed to him in a national newspaper. Babel has plenty of form for criticising the way Benitez deploys him to journalists in the Netherlands but has always maintained that his words have been twisted. Given this eruption happened on the morning of the Reds’ crucial Champions League clash against Debrecen, many within the club not surprisingly took a dim view. Benitez, though, has not made any decisions about what action might be taken against Babel and will first let the 23-year-old clarify what he actually said. Liverpool’s squad were given the day off yesterday but Benitez will certainly meet with Babel, who missed the trip to Budapest with an ankle injury, at Melwood. “I have got to talk to the player and I will see what his explanation is,” was all the Liverpool manager was prepared to say on the matter. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25256325/

From the Daily Post......... Many supporters have been confused by Benitez’s overly-cautious treatment of Alberto Aquilani, the £20million summer signing from Roma having played only 22 minutes in a month since returning from the ankle injury that delayed his debut. The Italian made only a fleeting appearance as substitute in Budapest, and Benitez explains: “It has been difficult with Aquilani. He has not been fit so he has no match fitness, therefore I cannot use him. “Then if he doesn't play games, he cannot get the match fitness. That has been the difficult circle of events for him and for me to overcome. “It was difficult again against Debrecen. Early on we could have scored two or three more goals, but towards the end we were under pressure and I could not risk bringing him on in such a situation, he would have needed time to settle. “I have talked to him and explained. He has to keep working hard in every training session. His chance will come.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-25256064/

We've only won 2 in 11?

Apologies if my post wasn't clear - my reference to Kev's comment yesterday that we wouldn't beat Debrecen was in response to his statement that Everton will stuff us at the weekend rather than the sentences immediately preceeding it which I quoted. I was just pointing out that things don't always turn out as bad as he thinks they will when he's feeling pessimistic. I'm more of an optimist myself & find unwarranted (but understandable) pessimism rather dispiriting & draining. Agree with you completely that the performance last night was poor, although I think that's not particularly unsurprising given our recent run & the fact the players' confidence must be very low. Positives for me were a win, a clean sheet, another goal & encouraging performance from Ngog, no more injuries & more game time for several players coming back from injury. I think it's likely to be a case of a gradual increase in the quality of our performance as we build back our confidence rather than suddenly being able to turn it on like a tap, unless we just have a game where everything clicks into place. I expect an increase in our performance quality when Torres returns to full fitness.