GWistooshort

Liverpool Echo Nov 20 2009 Liverpool FC won’t jeopardise Fernando Torres’ recovery by rushing him back by Dominic King LIVERPOOL will not jeopardise Fernando Torres recovery from his persistent groin injury by rushing him into action ahead of time. There was some speculation last night Torres had followed team-mates Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio to Belgrade to see radical therapist Mariana Kovacevic. That was not true, as Torres has spent all week at Melwood receiving treatment on his groin and has taken part in a couple of solo training sessions – although he has done some ball work, it has been away from the rest of the first team. He is making pleasing progress and will continue to be monitored by boss Rafa Benitez and the club’s medical staff ahead of tomorrow’s crucial fixture with Manchester City at Anfield. It is highly unlikely, however, that he will be involved in the squad, as the Reds intend to heed the advice they were given when Torres flew to Valencia earlier this month for a second opinion on his injury off renowned specialist Ramon Cugat. He told Liverpool that Torres needed a three-week break from football and so far, it is 17 days since his last appearance during the 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Champions League. Provided all goes according to plan, the Spanish striker – who was forced to miss the 2-2 draw with Birmingham and his country’s 2-1 win over Argentina last Saturday – should be back in contention for the trip to Goodison Park. Benitez will at least have skipper Steven Gerrard fit to start a Premier League game for the first time since October 4 tomorrow, while late checks will be made on Benayoun and Riera, who were expected to be out for a month after tearing their hamstrings. They, though, have responded positively to having the injury treated with liquid from a horse’s placenta, as has Johnson, who should start at right-back now he has recovered from his own hamstring problem. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25211526/

From this morning's Daily Post............ "Aurelio, Benayoun and Riera all have an outside chance of appearing against City tomorrow, although Fernando Torres will not be considered as he continues his rehabilitation after a groin complaint." http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-25211674/2/

We could lose Ngog to the African Cup of Nations in Jan - he's been approached by Cameroon to play for them according to today's Daily Post.......... http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-25211674/2/

The Daily Mail today have this picture of Torres in training which looks encouraging if it's current as they say it is

Liverpool Echo Nov 19 2009 Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio are the latest Liverpool FC stars to go for radical horse placenta treatment by Dominic King GLEN JOHNSON and Fabio Aurelio have become the latest Liverpool players to visit radical therapist Mariana Kovacevic in an attempt to end their injury problems. Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun flew to Belgrade earlier this week to see Kovacevic, who has become famous for treating sportsmen with the liquid from horse placenta. They have responded so well to treatment that there is a chance the pair could figure against Manchester City on Saturday and now Johnson and Aurelio have followed suit. That pair were forced to miss England’s friendly against Brazil in Qatar last Saturday with respective hamstring and calf problems. But after seeing Kovacevic, Johnson is now set to take his place on the right side of Liverpool’s defence when City visit, while Aurelio is making good progress too. Similar sentiments apply to Fernando Torres, who has done his first couple of training sessions since being ordered to rest his damaged groin for three weeks. Liverpool’s star striker, however, has not been involved with the rest of the first team squad and the club’s medical staff will continue to monitor his progress. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25206107/

& lo & behold Eduardo signs a new deal with Arsenal.............. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...nal/8367304.stm

If they draw & we beat Debrecen, we will need to beat Fiorentina by 3 goals in the final game to go through http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs...091104-2221.htm

Usually specific in its details tho - meeting next Monday etc & I wouldn't expect the Telegraph to make it up. No it doesn't have any quotes, but if the journo's been told something by a source or off the record then it wouldn't. I think I read (probably Sid Lowe as well) that they've got serious financial problems

From Sky Sports............ Eintracht can't afford Voronin German club say move for Reds striker is unlikely By Thomas Zocher 18th November 2009 Eintracht Frankfurt manager Michael Skibbe admits the club might be priced out of a move for Andriy Voronin. The Liverpool striker has been linked with a move away from Anfield after failing to establish himself in the Reds first team so far this season, with manager Rafa Benitez preferring David Ngog as backup for star forward Fernando Torres. Voronin spent a season on loan at Hertha Berlin last term, where he scored 11 times in 20 appearances, and he has previously played at other German sides Borussia Monchengladbach, Mainz 05, Koln and Bayer Leverkusen. However, a move to Eintracht looks unlikely as Skibbe revealed the club would find it difficult to afford the Ukrainian, despite a lack of options up front. "We have a shortage up front following the injuries to Ioannis Amanatidis and Martin Fenin," he said. "But I really do not think we are in a financial position to be able to afford a player like Andriy Voronin. I really do not think so." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5702296,00.html

The Telegraph seem very confident - will be a shame if he does Daily Telegraph 18 Nov 2009 Chelsea on verge of signing Sergio Aguero for £40m from Atletico Madrid By Jason Burt Chelsea are expected to clinch a British-record £40 million transfer deal to sign the Argentine international Sergio Aguero at a meeting scheduled with his agents next Monday. The 21-year-old Atletico Madrid striker is close to agreeing terms with Chelsea who had inquired about his availability during the summer. At that time Aguero had demanded a salary of more than £6 million-a-year which would have made him Chelsea's highest paid player – which the club balked at – but it is hoped he will now compromise on his wages. Chelsea will meet his agent Bruno Satin, who is head of the football division of IMG, one of the world's biggest sports agencies, on Monday to hopefully agree a deal after Atletico finally sanctioned Aguero's sale earlier this week. The Spanish club are still hoping to receive more than £50 million for Aguero but, it's understood, are now more willing to compromise on the transfer fee if a deal can be done. Nevertheless, a transfer of £40 million would represent a Premier League record, smashing the £32.5 million paid last year by Manchester City for Robinho, and would also be a restatement of Chelsea's intent, having not spent hugely under owner Roman Abramovich over the past three years. Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has targeted Aguero as one of his major signings during the January transfer window. The club have been given permission to buy and sell after the Fifa-imposed transfer ban, following the Gaël Kakuta affair, was frozen pending an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Aguero scored two spectacular goals during the recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea in the Champions League. After the match Ancelotti joked that he would like to sign the exciting striker but it appears he was deadly earnest. A meeting took place earlier this week with Chelsea discussing their strategy as to how they could acquire Aguero. Satin has also been demanding a hefty agent's fee – thought to be as much as £5 million – for the deal to go through but, again, he may be willing to compromise. If Chelsea sign Aguero, as all parties now expect, it will represent something of a coup especially as it was thought they may struggle to acquire big-name players in January. Indeed Chelsea may follow up the deal with a move for Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery, who would command a similar fee and who is also greatly admired by Ancelotti. The deal for Aguero is sensitive for Atletico, who have struggled this season. The striker is their main asset and also a huge fans' favourite and the club's board has been concerned about alienating supporters. Satin is in Brazil at the moment, having also travelled to Argentina, to try to clinch a number of deals to sign players who could replace Aguero in the fans' affection. Such is Chelsea's determination to secure the deal they may, eventually, be willing to go beyond the apparent ceiling of £40 million that was set to sign Aguero. They are acutely aware that if their CAS appeal fails, they cannot make another signing for some time. Even so Aguero will not be eligible for Chelsea in the Champions League this season, having already played for Atletico. If Aguero does sign it will cast some doubt on the first-team future of Nicolas Anelka, with Ancelotti set to partner the Argentine with Didier Drogba in a preferred two-man attack. Chelsea also remain keen on Benfica's Angel Di Maria, but deem the fee demanded for him too high, and Everton's Jack Rodwell. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ico-Madrid.html

Yes, but he was rumoured to be unhappy before that

For what it's woth David Maddock reckons that Mascherano definitely won't be leaving in January & that Barca aren't interested in spedning anywhere near the amount we want for him on a defensive midfielder http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/opinion/co...icle224129.html

After visiting the same Serbian physiotherapist that Van Persie has seen who massages the injury with liquid from horse placentas. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f...00252-25196582/ In an aside, this news was broken first by the Daily Mail (!!!) last night

From the Mirror today............ Striker Pavlyuchenko has 'huge desire' to quit Tottenham and return to Russia By Mirror Sport Roman Pavlyuchenko yesterday announced he's keen to leave Tottenham as soon as possible. Pavlyuchenko even openly touted for Russian clubs to rescue him from his ordeal at White Hart Lane saying: “I have a huge desire to return home.” The 27-year-old forward stressed: “I am prepared to accept any decent offer from Russia.” Pavlyuchenko told a Russian magazine that he would not change his mind even if manager Harry Redknapp told him he would use him in his starting line-up. “It seems, Tottenham is now a turned page for me. I do not expect the situation to change for the better. “Six months ago, I landed on the bench. I immediately made it clear that I did not want to be there. The manager kept telling he relied on me - but nothing changed. I need to find a way out of this.” Spartak Moscow made a bid for Pavlyuchenko in the summer but it fell short of Tottenham’s expectation for a player who cost Spurs £14million. Zenit St Petersburg are also interested in the player and are potentially wealthier, with backing from gas giant Gazprom. Two English Premier League clubs are also said to be interested in signing a player who Redknapp said needs to be “more aggressive". He indicated he could not see how to get the best out of a gifted striker. But Pavlyuchenko denied his time at White Hart Lane had been wasted. “Of course not. In my first year there I played a lot, scored often and was successful with my national team. “I had an insight into English football which helped me to understand a lot of new things. “It was a good experience, although not always positive, which is going to be useful for me in the future. “So I do not have any regrets. But my present situation doesn’t suit me.” http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Strik...icle224351.html

Both the Daily Telegraph & the Independent are running stories this morning saying Babel, Degen, Dossena & Voronin will be shipped out in Jan. The Telegraph says: - they will all be sold if suitable offers arrive "even though there are currently no guarantees that Benitez will be granted the revenue generated by their departures to reinvest into the Liverpool team" - Napoli "remain interested" in Dossena, but are "unwilling to fund a permanent deal until next summer" - "several clubs are believed to be ready to offer Voronin a return to the Bundesliga" - Degen "is likely to head to Germany in search of the regular appearances which would guarantee him a ticket to South Africa" - However, most German sides would struggle to match Degen's & Voronin's wages, believed to be around £40,000-a-week http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ance-books.html The Independent adds that Rafa only kept Voronin in the summer "because he knew the money raised would not be reinvested in transfers", something the Times have also stated previously. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...rt-1822325.html

Got a mention in the Daily Telegraph this morning.............. "uncertainty continues to cloud the futures of Nathan Eccleston – the young striker recently handed his first-team debut – after he rejected a contract extension last week amid reported interest from several Premier League clubs, and Lauri Dalla Valle, a Finnish prospect believed to be discontent with his lack of progress through the club’s ranks" http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...ance-books.html

RAFA: REDS' FUTURE IN GOOD HANDS James Carroll 18 November 2009 Rafa Benitez today predicted a bright future for Liverpool Football Club and admitted he is encouraged by the positive impact already made by changes implemented to the youth setup at Anfield. The Reds boss helped instigate a reshuffle of the club's Reserve and Academy structures over the summer, with several new staff drafted in to bolster the production line of young talent. Benitez believes early signs are positive and is certain Liverpool's future is in safe hands. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is much better now. The players can see the difference and I am sure it will be easier for them to progress. "It is always important to develop your own players. Local players have passion and desire and I think that is the key if you want to be consistent and stay at the top of the table - you have to produce your own players. "When you make changes it can take time, but we all have the same plan, everybody is following it and we try to do the same things here at Melwood and at the Academy." Asked if he felt the future was a positive one for Liverpool, Benitez replied: "Yes, I think so. I am sure." With the Reds senior squad suffering a spate of injuries in recent weeks, Benitez has been forced to call upon the services of several youngsters from John McMahon's table-topping reserve side. The likes of Nathan Eccleston, Daniel Ayala, Martin Kelly and Jay Spearing have all turned out for the first-team this season - and the gaffer admits he'd have no qualms about dipping into the second string pool again in future. "The Reserves are a very good team," he said. "We changed the staff and some players and we knew the first year could be difficult, but they are doing very well. "They are playing well, are well organised and know what they are doing. "It means we can bring in some players and you have seen they can perform. The likes of Eccleston, Darby, Ayala and Pacheco - we know we can use these players and they will know what to do." While McMahon's men hold a three point lead at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North, having lost just once so far this term, the form of the under-18s has fluctuated. However, Benitez insists the most critical aspect of Academy level football is the development and growth of young prospects - rather than results. The Spaniard said: "The most important thing at that level is to produce players. When you change things, you can't expect to be winning from the first day. "But at least you can see the players have a plan, and it is the same for everyone at the club. "The connection with Melwood is good and the players know if they have to do something, it is because the senior players are doing the same." Benitez's fellow countrymen Rodolfo Borrell and Pep Segura were just two of several new arrivals at the club's youth complex in pre-season - and the manager feels the changes are helping drive the Academy forward in the right direction. "They are doing well, but we didn't bring in just these two coaches," he continued. "We brought in more people and changed staff, so to name all of them would be difficult, but I am really pleased because they are doing a very good job. "When you talk with agents, or people who are involved with coaching or watching the Academy, everyone says it has changed a lot. "So I am pleased because it is the first year in charge, and you can see some changes. "We can improve by winning more games and then things will always be easier and more positive, but the direction is right. "Both Rodolfo and Pepe, and the rest of the staff are doing a very good job." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091118-0825.htm

He's picked up another slight strain & is out for another 7-10 days http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091117-0848.htm

There was a story in the Mirror that we did, but my wife knows someone very close to Arshavin's agent & they said we weren't in for him

The important date is when the deal was agreed not when Cisse actually walked through the gates at Melwood All the quotes below are from before Houllier was sacked........... Houllier LFC official site Sorry Knox

No sorry - just saw that he was injured in a Daily Post article this morning

http://www.ynwa.tv/forum/index.php?s=&...t&p=2494638

TRIPLE INJURY BOOST FOR BENITEZ Jimmy Rice 17 November 2009 Rafa Benitez is confident of having Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson fit to face Man City this weekend. All three have trained well after sitting out international duty and should be available for Saturday's crunch fixture against Mark Hughes' men. However, Benitez is likely to be without top scorer Fernando Torres. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Agger is okay. He had a small problem with his back but he's training. It was a very good decision from Denmark's manager (to withdraw Agger) because he is much better now. I think he'll be okay for the weekend. "Johnson has been training. Not full sessions, but training, so hopefully he'll be okay for the weekend too. "Gerrard is doing well. He finished a full training session today, so if he can carry on then he'll be okay as well. "Fernando Torres is training with the physios, so I don't think he'll be available." Benitez also had good news to report on hamstring duo Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera, who were originally ruled out for four weeks after pulling up against Birmingham on November 9. The boss said: "I was talking about four weeks but they are working hard with the physios and doing special treatments. We have to check but maybe they'll be back earlier than expected." Meanwhile, Benitez expects to have David Ngog available for our forthcoming fixtures despite breaking his nose with France U21s. "We know Ngog has broken his nose but it's not serious," he said. "I am not sure yet because we haven't seen him but I think he'll be okay, it won't be serious." Elsewhere, Fabio Aurelio - who could not accept a long-awaited call to the Brazil squad due to a calf injury - remains a concern. "It's a pity because he was waiting for this call for a long time, then when he got the opportunity he had a problem," said Benitez. "He's improving but still has a little bit of a problem with his calf. It will be difficult for him to play against Man City." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...091117-1515.htm

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