GWistooshort

Will be interesting to see what Rafa says if he is asked about the Silva speculation at his pre-match press conference today

Some more on Tévez from today's papers............... Oliver Kay in the Times says Rafa is "exploring the feasibility of a move to sign Carlos Tévez from United" http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article6289937.ece The Daily Mail says Tévez has rejected a move to Real Madrid, who made a formal offer of £40m for the player http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...fer-Madrid.html The Guardian says Man Utd want to keep Tévez, but are not prepared to pay the £22m previously agreed http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...united-transfer

Here's the article..............it is by Alan Nixon tho Liverpool in for Spanish youngster Jesus Fernandez Exclusive by Alan Nixon 15/05/2009 Football Spy Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to beat Barcelona to the signing of Spanish teenage sensation Jesus Fernandez - nicknamed Suso. Benitez's spies have been to see the Cadiz youngster, an attacking midfielder in the Cesc Fabregas mould, and he hopes his Spanish connections will help him win the race. Suso has been offered a deal at Barca but his advisors think he could get lost in their 'system' while Benitez has big plans to bring in top young talent at Anfield after a recent reshuffle. Benitez is set to recruit a couple of new coaches at youth level - including a top fellow countryman - and they are looking at the Spanish market as well as scouting for the next Steven Gerrard at home. Suso is expected to come to Liverpool for talks, possibly as early as next week, with Cadiz resigned to losing their best prospect in years. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/200...15875-21360062/

From the Independent today............... Sponsor eyes Anfield name deal Carlsberg to propose renaming Liverpool's home when new stadium is built By Ian Herbert Friday, 15 May 2009 Liverpool's main sponsor, Carlsberg, is ready to discuss the idea of a naming rights deal for the proposed new stadium at Anfield, as part of a renewed deal with the club. The Danish beer company, whose 18-year deal with Liverpool is the longest running in the Premier League, has offered the first indication that its widely known dismay at the in-fighting between club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett has receded. The Americans have put on a more united front of late and the sponsor suggested that the controversial idea of a Carlsberg Anfield – which would vastly increase the current £7m sponsorship deal – will be on the table when discussions begin in earnest at the end of the season. "That will be part of the discussion, I'm sure, but there have been no decisions yet," Gareth Roberts, Carlsberg UK's director of sponsorship, told The Independent. Naming rights are a way for the Americans to extract serious money from the club they secured through a leveraged buy-out in February 2007 and growing what, by current standards, is a modest deal with Carlsberg when it expires at the end of next season. Arsenal's 13-year stadium deal with airline Emirates is valued at £100m, which includes an eight-year shirt deal. It will be up to the Americans, already undertaking a global review of assets in an attempt to raise finances, to decide whether the additional revenue naming rights would bring is worth the anticipated opposition from some fans to such a sensitive issue. Their dire need of money suggests they may be willing to make the move. The fact Carlsberg is willing to discuss the naming rights proposition reveals that the threat to the future relationship between the two partners has receded, though Roberts admitted that uncertainties surrounding the July expiry of bank deals rescheduling £350m of loans the Americans took to buy Liverpool had been a "distraction" on sponsorship talks. Carlsberg is still seeking more assurances about whether the loans will be refinanced but the prevailing view, supported by leading football financier Keith Harris this week, is that they will be. "We would be very interested in what happens [with the rescheduling]. I'm sure that the conversations that go on between the two parties will reflect that," Roberts said. But Carlsberg does appear to be more confident that the stadium, placed on hold by the Americans with the credit markets frozen, will actually be built. "The stadium is a big step of their progression in the future and we want to be part of that," Roberts said. "The best thing is they [Hicks and Gillett] seem to have resolved the internal issues and they are going to take the next step. We need to understand where they are going with the stadium [but] we are really ambitious that they get the next step right as it will take them into the next stage of their progression [as a club] as well. They have done very well taking the next step in the league but it is about them setting the platform for the future." Roberts' language was notably different to that from sources close to Carlsberg earlier this year, who spoke of the civil war at Anfield as "pretty bleak". Hicks and Gillett have attempted to create some sense of harmony recently and actually sat together during Liverpool's 4-4 draw against Arsenal at Anfield in April. Name game: Ground sponsorship Emirates Stadium (Arsenal) Reebok Stadium (Bolton Wanderers) Pirelli Stadium (Burton Albion) Weston Homes Community Stadium (Colchester United) Ricoh Arena (Coventry City) Northern Echo Darlington Arena (Darlington) Keepmoat Stadium (Doncaster Rovers) KC Stadium (Hull City) Walkers Stadium (Leicester City) Britannia Stadium (Stoke City) Liberty Stadium (Swansea City) JJB Stadium (Wigan Athletic) [will be renamed DW Stadium this summer] KitKat Crescent (York City) http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...al-1685119.html

From the Rumour Mill in today's Liverpool Daily Post.............. Liverpool target staying put Sporting Lisbon’s Daniel Carrico has ruled out a move to Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool this summer, according to sources. The Sporting Lisbon starlet, who has twice been voted young player of the month in the Portuguese top tier, has committed his short term future to the club despite mounting interest from England. Carrico told local press: “Maybe one day later, but now I am focused only on Sporting and will do so until the end of my contract.” The starlet was educated at the famed Academia de Alcochete, where previous graduates include Luis Figo, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani and has been monitored by a whole host of top clubs in Europe http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...92534-23625262/ Pranjic will move this summer Heerenveen say they will only sell winger Danijel Pranjic for the right price. Pranjic's agent has revealed serious interest from Liverpool and on a football website, the player said: "It is 90 per cent certain that I will leave." Heerenveen chief Yme Kuiper added: "The right price should be on the table. We have had no concrete offers, but I can imagine that Danijel will move." Forlan believes Premiership move will be unfinished business Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan - heavily linked with Liverpool across the media of late - believes he will be able to pay off a debt with a move to England. The £15million star was a flop for Manchester United, but has been consistently among the goals in Spain. Speaking on a football website, he said: “At the moment my desire is to score goals, to fight for the Golden Boot and to help Atletico to get a position in the Champions League. “I will think about my future in June. I want a meeting with the directors and then to evaluate the situation. “Do I want to return to the Premier League? In the world of the football anything is possible and I believe I have a debt with England after my time at Manchester United.” http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23625262/2/

Celtic's bid has been rejected http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...cal/8049616.stm

SiGn bRilLiAnT NaMez

Actually, we could do with some cover at right-back................

From the BBC website................ Thursday, 14 May 2009 10:15 UK Celtic begin talks about McCarthy Celtic have made an offer to Hamilton Accies for James McCarthy and the clubs are in talks about a summer transfer, according to the midfielder's agent. Willie McKay says the 18-year-old is likely to become the highest-paid teenager in Scottish football history should the deal be concluded. A number of top English clubs are also interested in McCarthy - and fellow Accies midfielder James McArthur. But Celtic are McCarthy's favoured destination, according to McKay. Hamilton have already rejected an offer of about £500,000 from Portsmouth for McCarthy, who has chosen to play for Republic of Ireland instead of his native Scotland. "It is a dream for a kid from Glasgow to play for Celtic or Rangers and, if Celtic can come close to the offers made by other clubs, they must be favourites as he would love to play for the club," McKay told BBC Scotland. "His family will have a big say in where he eventually goes. "Celtic know how much Premiership clubs are offering and I'm sure they would be prepared to pay what would be a lot of money for a teenager." A deal is unlikely to be concluded until relegation-threatened Hamilton secure their place in the Scottish Premier League next season. But McKay believes that the time might be right for McCarthy, who was voted PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, to move and to ensure Hamilton's production line of promising youths continues. "He resisted going to Liverpool to stay at Hamilton and I think the boy showed his loyalty to the club," said the agent. A number of English Premier League clubs were again represented at New Douglas Park on Wednesday as McCarthy played in Accies' 1-0 defeat by Falkirk. Everton, Newcastle, Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Wigan, Blackburn, Sunderland, Wolves and Ipswich have all been linked with the teenager. Meanwhile, McKay says that interest is also high in 21-year-old Scotland Under-21 international McArthur. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...cal/8049616.stm

Javier Saviola's agent has said that the player "has decided to leave [Real Madrid] as he has not had many opportunities this season". http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11835_5316674,00.html

The Liverpool Daily Post this morning says "Liverpool are reportedly tracking 22-year-old Tunisia international forward Yassine Chikhaoui of FC Zurich". http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-23620765/2/

Ferguson said after the match last night that he wants Tevez to stay & that they have made him an offer to stay at United, something that a spokesman for Joorabchian described as "categorically untrue". http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/ma...r-alex-ferguson Sounds to me like Utd are trying to drive the price down from the reported £22m they have to pay to make the deal permanent, on top of the reported £10m they have paid in loan fees for the past 2 seasons

A few more comments from Harris from the Independent........... "The awaited decision of the banks is a source of profound uncertainty at Anfield but Harris suggested that Stephen Hester, RBS's new chief executive, may not wish to put himself "out on the left wing" by generating a crisis at Liverpool." "In the eye of the financial crash last November, Harris said he feared for Liverpool who might be forced to sell players without fresh investment. Liverpool's profit barely covers the huge interest payments with which Hicks and Gillett have saddled the club. Rafael Benitez has said he must sell to buy this summer." http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footbal...bs-1684467.html

Is AS one of the papers Real Madrid use to try & unsettle players they want?

Great article by Sid Lowe on Forlán on Monday.......... 'Superman' Forlán saves Atlético with another single-handed rescue actHe may not be carved out of marble, but to Atlético Madrid fans, Diego Forlán is a goal-scoring god By Sid Lowe Monday 11 May He ought to be made of marble or sculptured from stone. He ought to be standing on a plinth atop an Olympian hill with a fixed serene gaze, headband and tensing muscles, strangely smooth milky skin, not a blemish in sight, wavy hair immovable on his head. The classic Grecian. Strong and silent. He ought to have an arm missing or a chip out of his nose. And he should definitely have a chip on his shoulder. But he hasn't. He ought to be poised, taut, a discus in his right hand, the model athlete. He ought to be called Discobolos. Instead his name is Diego. Diego Martín Forlán Corazo, to be precise. And right now he is probably the best striker in Spain. He is, says the cover of El Mundo Deportivo "Superman", knickers on the outside, wellies over his tights, cape flapping behind him; AS calls him "a miracle worker". What he is not is the Diego Forlorn of Old Trafford lore, the man whose best season reaped six goals. Five years of Spanish success later, it shouldn't need saying but let's say it anyway: Diego Forlán is really rather good. "We've run out of words to describe him," sighed one newspaper, forgetting the leche and the hostia. The milk, the consecrated bread. The business. Few players have been as reliable. Forlán won the European Golden Boot in his first season in La Liga and is just three short of 100 league goals in five years. His average rating, game by game, has seen him among Spain's top five for three of the last four seasons (and he's on course for four in five). He runs and runs and just when you think he's tired, he sets off on another sprint. He battles yet appears indestructible, rarely getting injured or carded: in four seasons he has missed just eight matches and collected 11 yellows. Clever, quick, and genuinely two footed, when he gets a chance he doesn't waste it. This season, he's missed just three games, collected two bookings and, most important of all, scored 27 goals. Thirteen with his left, 13 with his right and one with his head. But it is not just that Forlán is a solitary goal behind Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o. Or even that he's the highest scoring atlético in 20 years, ahead of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Christian Vieri. It is that he is single-handedly rescuing Atlético from ruin; that in a season when Sergio Agüero has only occasionally repeated last season's wonderful form, he's the leader – dragging a disastrous side towards the Champions League. It is that El País dubbed the team "Atlético Forlán" and that against Betis last week he scored both in a vital 2–0 win, leaving another newspaper musing: "Forlán and nothing else". Hardly surprising, really. After all, in the second half of the season, Forlán alone has 50% of Atleti's goals, scoring 15 in the last 14 games. And even when it's not Forlán and nothing else, he's the one that makes nothing else something else. Not only has he scored 27, he's provided ten assists. Off the pitch, he cuts a lone figure, a man whose commitment and seriousness leave him in a state of almost perpetual disappointment with team-"mates". But on it, he drives them on those nights when rojiblancos remember why they support Atleti. "Forlán," says his coach, reaching for the face mask, "is highly contagious." "With Forlán, anything's possible," says Marca – even success at a club the president and the owner seem to be trying to ruin, one that has no defence and a coach with no authority. When Atlético came back from 2–0 down to defeat Villarreal 3–2, it was Forlán who made it 2–2 on 82 minutes. When they came back from 2–0 down to defeat Barcelona 4–3, he it was that gave them belief with a ludicrous 627-yarder just as everyone was giving up, and then made it 3–3 with 10 minutes to go. And when Atlético found themselves in much the same position against Espanyol last night, it was Forlán yet again who rescued them. This mission was his hardest yet. Atlético were seeking to reconcile themselves with fans who had seen them fall away pathetically since their latest false dawn. A 5–1 stuffing in Santander saw 20,000 stay away against Sporting Gijón, while those who did go whistled their players, ironically launching chants of "¡Balón de Oro!" at Mariano Pernía, and called for the president's smug head. They were also fighting for a desperately needed Champions League place: with the front four – Forlán, Agüero, Simao and Maxi – accounting for over half the club's wage bill, failure to qualify would mean summer departures. (Although so too will the players' desires). It wasn't going well. Atlético were 2–0 and a man down. Perea had been sent off for maiming Francisco Chica. Pernía had given away another ridiculous penalty – Atleti's 10th. The dope was swirling and so were the heads. The fans were going for president, players and the ref. That pissed bloke was staggering about pleading with journalists to write what they could see but all they could see, apart from his glazed eyes, bare chest, and T-shirt turned scarf declaring simply: "puta!", was another disaster. A back four playing so high you wondered if they were trying to catch the front four offside and a game in which, but for a flag-happy linesman and a handful of misses, Espanyol could have been five up. Worse, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Valencia had all collected points. Atlético were screwed. With 55 points and just three games to go, they were seventh, eight points behind Sevilla, four behind Valencia and one behind Villarreal. Hell, they were even a point behind Deportivo. So much had happened that Marca's match report was on its third par when the writer paused: "You know what," he said, "it's an utter disgrace that we haven't mentioned Forlán yet." So he did. How could he not? After all, it was then that Forlán took control, launching a missile from somewhere on the M30 that screeched past Carlos Kameni. Atleti were reborn, the fans revived. Agüero made it 2–2. And in the 93rd minute, Forlán completed another epic comeback of his own making. Whipping off his top, he dived into the crowd as the Calderón launched into a chant of "¡Uruguayo! ¡Uruguayo! ¡Uruguayo!", all that anger momentarily forgotten. Their season had looked all but over; suddenly, thanks to their very own Olympian, they were a solitary point off fourth-placed Valencia, who they play at the Calderón next week. Diego Forlán may not be able to throw a discus very far but he may, just, have carried an entire football team back into Europe. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/20...atletico-madrid

From Sky Sports................... Agent admits Silva interest Spanish ace to miss final few games through injury By Francisco Acedo Last updated: 13th May 2009 David Silva's agent has admitted a number of clubs have enquired about signing the Valencia star. Reports have suggested Liverpool are leading the chase for the Spanish international with Juventus also thought to be keen on signing the winger. Valencia are facing a real fight to keep hold of their top stars due to their financial problems and clubs are waiting in the wings to lure Silva away from La Mestalla. It has been claimed Liverpool have tabled a take-it-or-leave-it £15million offer for Silva as Reds boss Rafa Benitez refuses to get involved in a bidding war for the 23-year-old. Silva's representative, Jose Segui, admits there is interest in the player, but that his future depends on Valencia. "At this time it is normal there are many stories in the papers about transfers, but the decision depends on Valencia," Segui told skysports.com. "It is certain that some clubs have asked about the boy, but he has a deal with Valencia and he is happy in the city." Valencia sporting director Fernando Gomez insists no decisions will be made on the futures of any players until the end of the season with Valencia still battling for UEFA Champions League qualification. "Now it is impossible to negotiate anything because the future of the team in qualifying for Europe is not decided and that is key for the budget next season," said Gomez. Meanwhile, Silva has been ruled out of Valencia's final three games of the season through injury. Silva sustained a groin injury in last weekend's win over Real Madrid and he is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5320545,00.html

There was one last year some time

"As well as having their photographs taken with the 12th man, Gerrard and his colleagues are snapped simulating goal celebrations. The role fits Reina like one of his gigantic goalkeeping gloves, and it's suggested without irony that the Spaniard could make it in Hollywood when his playing days are over." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090512-2359.htm

The Telegraph reckons Barca want to send Bojan Krkic out on loan next season - could be a decent option as a back up for Torres, although I guess Barca may be concerned that he wouldn't get enough games if he came to us http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...kburn-loan.html If we are looking for a striker who offers something different to Fernando then Zenit St Petersburg's Pavel Pogrebnyak is apparently out of contract in November so should be available fairly cheaply & has always looked good when I've seen him play

Aahhh yes, I'd forgotten..............

Sid Lowe in the Guardian says Florentino Pérez, who will announce his candidacy for Real Madrid President tomorrow & is expected to win, possibly even unopposed, will get rid of Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Royston Drenthe and perhaps even Ruud van Nistelrooy, with more to follow & Xabi Alonso, David Silva, Carlos Tevez, David Villa, Franck Ribéry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fábregas on his list of targets http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/20...-perez-election

From the official site............ BEHIND THE SCENES AT PLAYERS' PHOTOSHOOT Jimmy Rice 12 May 2009 Supporters got their first glimpse of our new away kit today - but it was way back in February that Rafa's stars enjoyed their sneak preview at a top secret photoshoot. We were there to bring you this exclusive behind the scenes story... We're in a massive warehouse near Liverpool's industrial docks and Fernando Torres is being asked to tuck his shirt in. Ten yards away, behind a huge black curtain, a female assistant is pulling Dirk Kuyt's socks up. Watching superstar footballers being ordered around like this is a touch surreal - especially as gaffer Rafa Benitez is nowhere to be seen. Not that they're complaining, for it's here at Liverpool Film Studios that Torres and co get their first viewing of the away kit they'll wear throughout 2009-10. Designers at adidas have come up with a slick dark grey number with gold trim and a subtle Liver bird effect in the background. "It definitely looks the part," says Jamie Carragher, one of six players present today. As well as Carragher, Torres and Kuyt, skipper Steven Gerrard, goalkeeper Pepe Reina and pass master Xabi Alonso are present. Why have these six been chosen to front the campaign? Simple: they sell the most shirts. The advertising strategy this year centres around our 12th man, meaning Anfield's finest have to pose in the new kit with a fan. His name is Matthew Satrine. The Kopite makes his living as an actor (he used to be in Scouse soap opera Brookside) and got the gig after singing You'll Never Walk Alone at the audition. Today's wage is earned posing with his idols and having his belly playfully rubbed by an in-form Stevie G. "I'm having a really good day," says Michael. "It's great to meet the lads and as a fan myself it's nice to see they are dead down to earth." As well as having their photographs taken with the 12th man, Gerrard and his colleagues are snapped simulating goal celebrations. The role fits Reina like one of his gigantic goalkeeping gloves, and it's suggested without irony that the Spaniard could make it in Hollywood when his playing days are over. Some managers, like Jose Mourinho, ask adidas to keep their goalkeeper jersey low-key, but next season Reina will wear a bright yellow outfit which will make him stand out in a crowded penalty area. "Wow," shouts Gerrard, as Reina makes his way to the camera. So what does our skipper make of the new kit? "I'm really pleased. It's a nice colour and it's comfortable," says the man with No.8 on his back. "I suppose getting my first kit was where it began for me as a Liverpool supporter. Having an older brother, I always used to pinch his. Then I was fortunate enough that my parents bought me my own." Also on the itinerary today is a series of promotional interviews with radio and LFC TV, during which the players are asked about their relationship with the 12th man. It's here that Alonso reveals his favourite Kop song is The Fields of Anfield Road. He'll even recite the words if you ask nicely. Meanwhile, the funniest thing Kuyt has heard from the terraces is a song about a rival manager's rather large cranium. For Gerrard, the fact Liverpool's 12th man is being celebrated makes the campaign a winner. "Fans make football," explains the Huyton-born star, who still remembers the Kop singing his name for the first time after opening his goalscoring account against Sheffield Wednesday back in December 1999. "It was a real buzz. So yes, it's right to stick this 12th man tag on the campaign - it's a celebration of the fans." Torres also approves, though he has a slight quibble over the campaign name. "It's not just a 12th man at Liverpool," argues our record signing. "We have more than one extra man - we have many because they push us, they help the team every minute. "I am sure we win a lot of points simply because of the fans." The bond between Torres and Anfield was cemented with the creation of his own song, to which thousands of Kopites bounce in unison. "Of course I can," replies the Spain international when asked if he sees and hears their tribute while busy scoring goals. "I enjoy it more than they do!" Next season's communal bounce will look slightly different, particularly on the road, thanks to the new kit on parade today. What the fans might not realise when they don it over the coming months is the amount of time it spent on the drawing board. It takes a total of 19 months to get from the idea stage to the shirt being worn in a competitive match, during which designs are passed between adidas UK, head office in Germany and the club. So, has it been worth it? According to Carragher, the answer won't be clear for another year. "Everyone remembers kits by the trophies you win in them," says the club's vice-captain. "Hopefully we can win a few in this." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090512-2359.htm

Some more quotes from the FWA.......... "We are delighted to honour Steven's contribution this season with our prestigous award," said Steve Bates, National Chairman of the Football Writers' Association. "Steven has had a fantastic season and has so often been the driving force behind Liverpool's forceful challenge for the Barclays Premier League title. "His passion and desire to send the title race into the closing days of this campaign has underpinned Liverpool's pursuit of Manchester United and he has frequently caught the eye with outstanding performances which have showcased his considerable talent. "Steven is viewed by the Football Writers who voted as the heartbeat of Liverpool's team and a player who gives everything for the cause. "He beat off a strong challenge from Old Trafford stars Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to emerge as a clear winner and he follows a long and illustrious list of British and European footballers to win the vote of the Football Writers." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...090513-0701.htm