Costly blow as Honduras striker ruled out of World Cup

May 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Honduras striker Carlo Costly will miss the World Cup after fracturing a bone in his right foot, a team doctor said on Sunday.

Costly, one of coach Reinaldo Rueda’s main strikers with six goals during the qualifiers, was injured playing for his Romanian club Vaslui on Thursday.

“We are sure now that it’s a fracture and it will take six weeks to heal,” team doctor Oscar Benitez was quoted as saying by the Honduran newspaper Diez.

“It’s not true that (Costly) will be playing football again soon. It’s a complete fracture of the fifth metatarsal in the base of his right foot, which is considered serious.”

Costly’s father Anthony played for Honduras in their only previous appearance at the finals in Spain in 1982.

Rueda will announce his squad of 23 on Monday for the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa, where Honduras will face Chile, Spain and Switzerland in Group H.

(Reporting by Gustavo Palencia, editing by Nick Mulvenney; to query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Real Madrid may bid 30-million pounds for unhappy Gerrard

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Spanish football giants Real Madrid have reportedly made discreet enquiries about England and Liverpool mid-fielder Steven Gerrard, and according to club sources, are ready to buy him for 30 million pounds.

The Mirror quoted sources close to Gerrard, as saying that he was unhappy at Anfield.

Real Madrid had tried to secure Gerrard’s services three years ago, but failed.

Like Fernando Torres, the Anfield superstar is worried about the future of the club and the direction it has taken over the past season.

He has been visibly and verbally at odds with manager Rafa Benitez in the latter stages of the season, and is closely monitoring the situation over the manager’s position at the club.

Benitez held a meeting yesterday with new chairman Martin Broughton and MD Christian Purslow, which ended in stalemate after talks over the Spaniard’s future.

Benitez looks certain to be in charge for Liverpool’s final game of the season at Hull on Sunday.

But beyond that his position is uncertain, after he failed to secure all the conditions he demanded to remain.

What is certain is that Gerrard and Torres will keep their options open as the end of the season approaches. Neither will rule out a departure if they feel there are not sufficient resources to mount a serious rebuilding program at the club. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tough task for Liverpool to keep Torres

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 4 (ANI): Liverpool is faced with a tough task of preventing ace striker Fernando Torres from leaving the club in the biggest transfer scramble, as Juventus has also urged coach Rafa Benitez to make up his mind on whether he will become their new boss.

Manchester City and Chelsea will lead the 70 million pound summer transfer for Torres, who is concerned at Liverpool’s dismal performance and inability to compete for titles.

“A club like Liverpool must do everything they can to keep players like Stevie Gerrard and Fernando, but a lot of things can change and in a few weeks we will know better,” said Liverpool player Yossi Benayoun.

Benitez this week meets Anfield chairman Martin Broughton for talks, with Juventus president Andrea Agnelli seeking an answer, the Daily Express reports.

Agnelli could turn to Fiorentina’s Cesare Prandelli if he feels Benitez is using them.

A Juventus source said: “The new president is less keen on Benitez, especially because he has strung the situation out for so long. He expects a decision this week so he can get on with planning for the future.”

Benitez could deny Juventus’ offer if he is given guarantees that he can reinvest any money raised from outgoings this summer. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UPDATE 1-Barclays to oversee sale of Liverpool FC -source

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) – The U.S. owners of Premier British League Football team Liverpool are looking to sell the club and have appointed Barclays Capital to find a buyer, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday.

American businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett are facing a demand to repay 100 million pounds ($153 million) of the club’s 237 million pounds debt to its lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and U.S. bank Wachovia, in July.

That has prompted them to seek a buyer for the club, which has been English champions 18 times and won the European Cup five times.

The Sunday Times had reported that Barclays would back a 300 million pounds ($458.8 million) refinancing at Liverpool that would lead to the sale of the Premier League club.

The newspaper said the bank is this weekend finalising a deal that will see it replace the club’s current lenders, provide more money for manager Rafa Benitez to spend on players and install British Airways (BAY.L) chairman Martin Broughton as chairman.

However, the source told Reuters it would be up to the new owner to make a decision over whether to refinance the club’s debt. The source also declined to comment on what price the club could be sold for or when a sale is likely to take place.

Liverpool Football Club was not immediately available for comment. Barclays Capital declined to comment.

The Sunday Times said Barclays, the main sponsor of the Premier League, will replace RBS and Wachovia, and provide the Merseyside club with additional capital.

Analysts had suggested Liverpool is worth 500 million pounds but the paper said Barclays is understood to believe it would fetch far more if given time to improve its trading.

Benitez was quoted in British media on Sunday as saying Liverpool needed to bring in more players to compete and may even have to sell a few to be able to reinvest.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s four or five or three or five, the cost of a top class player is 15 or 20 million pounds. So with three or four players, you start counting and I think we need up to four new players,” he said in The People.

“I don’t think I will have to sell a big player, but it will depend on the investors so I cannot guarantee we won’t have to sell. Our idea is to keep the spine of the team.” (Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Additonal reporting by Ken Ferris; Editing by Greg Stutchbury, Mike Nesbit) ($1=.6539 Pounds)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

UPDATE 1-Barclays to oversee sale of Liverpool FC -source

April 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, April 11 (Reuters) – The U.S. owners of Premier British League Football team Liverpool are looking to sell the club and have appointed Barclays Capital to find a buyer, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Sunday.

American businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett are facing a demand to repay 100 million pounds ($153 million) of the club’s 237 million pounds debt to its lenders, Royal Bank of Scotland and U.S. bank Wachovia, in July.

That has prompted them to seek a buyer for the club, which has been English champions 18 times and won the European Cup five times.

The Sunday Times had reported that Barclays would back a 300 million pounds ($458.8 million) refinancing at Liverpool that would lead to the sale of the Premier League club.

The newspaper said the bank is this weekend finalising a deal that will see it replace the club’s current lenders, provide more money for manager Rafa Benitez to spend on players and install British Airways (BAY.L) chairman Martin Broughton as chairman.

However, the source told Reuters it would be up to the new owner to make a decision over whether to refinance the club’s debt. The source also declined to comment on what price the club could be sold for or when a sale is likely to take place.

Liverpool Football Club was not immediately available for comment. Barclays Capital declined to comment.

The Sunday Times said Barclays, the main sponsor of the Premier League, will replace RBS and Wachovia, and provide the Merseyside club with additional capital.

Analysts had suggested Liverpool is worth 500 million pounds but the paper said Barclays is understood to believe it would fetch far more if given time to improve its trading.

Benitez was quoted in British media on Sunday as saying Liverpool needed to bring in more players to compete and may even have to sell a few to be able to reinvest.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s four or five or three or five, the cost of a top class player is 15 or 20 million pounds. So with three or four players, you start counting and I think we need up to four new players,” he said in The People.

“I don’t think I will have to sell a big player, but it will depend on the investors so I cannot guarantee we won’t have to sell. Our idea is to keep the spine of the team.” (Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Additonal reporting by Ken Ferris; Editing by Greg Stutchbury, Mike Nesbit) ($1=.6539 Pounds)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reina commits long-term future to Liverpool

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has signed a new six-year deal with the English Premier League club and hailed it as probably the best news of his life.

“To play for Liverpool is very special. I’ve been here for five years and now I will be here for six more and it’s very exciting,” Reina told the club’s website.

“I’m delighted to sign a new contract. It’s probably the best news of my life that I’ll be here for the next six years.”

The 27-year-old Spaniard, who joined the Merseyside club in July 2005 from Villarreal, has been one of manager Rafa Benitez’s best signings, notching up 177 league appearances.

Reina, who won the Super Cup in 2005 with Liverpool and the FA Cup a year later, said his family were big fans of the area and the native Scouse accent as well.

“My wife told me from the beginning she was more than happy here. My kids enjoy it and they have picked up the Scouse accent already. I am really proud of that,” said Reina, whose side is sixth in the league.

“In the years ahead they will speak much more Scouse too.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Young Socceroos lose to Paraguay

April 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Young Socceroos have suffered a 2-0 loss to Paraguay’s under 20s in the opening match of their South American tour.

In front of a small crowd at the Libertad Stadium, Australia went down a goal in the third minute after Diego Benitez pounced on a defensive mistake.

Paraguay then went up 2-0 just before half-time when striker Ivan Torres chested down the ball and neatly finished past goalkeeper Alex Pearson.

The second half was more evenly contested, though it was delayed for 20 minutes after the floodlights went off due to a power failure.

Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen was optimistic about his team’s performance.

“We came to South America to play quality opposition and that is what we got tonight, our players learnt a lot by the experience,” said Versleijen.

The Young Socceroos, captained by Newcastle Jets star Ben Kantarovski, will face Paraguay again on Thursday before two matches against the Argentina U20s next week.

The tour forms part of the side’s preparations for October’s Asian Under 19s Championship in China, where the top four teams will qualify for next year’s FIFA Under 20s World Cup.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kop legend Thompson wants players to threaten owners to increase transfer kitty

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, Mar 26 (ANI): Former Liverpool star Phil Thompson has urged skipper Steven Gerrard and ace striker Fernando Torres to threaten to quit the club in order to force the club’s American owners to provide a transfer kitty to buy good players.

The former Kop skipper feels such an ultimatum will be the best way to turn the heat up on American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Thompson reckons the star pair could smoke out the unpopular owners by telling them to back boss Rafa Benitez with a transfer kitty in the summer, The Sun reports.

Anfield legend Thommo said: “Fernando Torres said he didn’t want to be fighting for fourth place every year – and he is absolutely bang on.

“He and Stevie Gerrard should be saying ‘If you’re not going to invest, why would we want to remain here?’ They need to give them some ultimatums.” (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘Battered’ Torres vows to beat the bullies with his sharp shooters

September 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 18 (ANI): Europe’s No.1 striker Fernando Torres has insisted that he will beat the bullies who have subjected him to the most vicious of attention this season.

The Liverpool striker has paid a heavy price for being ranked the number one striker in Europe, and has taken as many black eyes as he has scored goals in the Premier League so far.

He said that he has come to terms with his status as the most marked man in Europe, and now wants to learn how to overcome it by scoring even more goals.

“Yes, another week, another black eye for me. The latest one I got with the national team, not in England, but football is like this. This type of thing happens,” The Mirror quoted Torres, as saying.

“I have to learn, I have to adapt and protect myself because I think I understand now the referees don’t have to protect just three or four players, they have to protect all of them. England is a physical league and we have to learn and try to be safe.

“Of course, it gets harder for me, because I am targeted, but half-way through my first season, the defenders knew me as well. I cannot use that as an excuse. I have to be ready. I have to be aware of defenders paying more attention to me, and I have to improve and try to be stronger and better,” he added.

The Spanish star admitted that in the past it has bothered him, but after a heart to heart with manager Rafa Benitez, he has decided to let his feet do the talking.

“If you get frustrated then you cannot win the game. I know for the good of the team I have to be aware and beat the defenders. That is my job,” he said. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Alonso reveals real reason behind his decision to quit Liverpool

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 3 (ANI): Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso, who knew that his time at Liverpool was up a year ago, has now revealed the full details behind a dramatic 28 million pounds Anfield exit.

Alonso admits the decision to skip a Champions League match for the birth of his son almost three years ago caused a rift with manager Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

And the midfielder admits he found it hard to accept being classed as a cash cow when Benitez tried to sell him a year ago, The Sun reports.

Alonso, 27, is now one of the next generation of Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’ after his switch last month. But only now has he spoken out about his relationship with fellow Spaniard Benitez – and the joy of feeling wanted at Real.

“It was a tough call and a very difficult decision to make after five years at the club. I have always said that it has been a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do, to try to deliver on the pitch, to do the talking on the pitch,” he said.

Benitez made no secret of wanting to bring Gareth Barry to the club from Aston Villa last year.

Alonso was identified as the valuable asset to fund the move. The deal did not materialise and Barry ended up joining Manchester City in the most recent transfer window.

“Last summer when the club proposed I had to be sold to get funds to sign new players. It was difficult to accept that. I accept it as a professional but that moment probably changed my mind – and I thought, maybe, from that moment it was maybe time for a change,” Alonso said.

Benitez did little to disguise his displeasure with playmaker Alonso when he opted out of a Champions League last-16 second leg at Inter Milan with Liverpool leading 2-0 to be with his pregnant wife.

Alonso said: “When the birth of my child happened, I had to make a decision. I had to be with my family as it was a very important moment.” (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Babel accuses Benitez of breaking promises

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Sep 3 (ANI): Dutch winger Ryan Babel has accused Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez of breaking promises which could wreck his World Cup dream.

Babel now wants to join Ajax on loan after claiming he was made a scapegoat for last month’s 2-1 defeat at Spurs.

“There were all sorts of assurances and promises from the club but they have not kept them. I should get more playing time but after the first defeat of the season I was the only one who was singled out – and I lost my place,” The Sun quoted Babel, as saying.

Babel bought by Benitez for 11.5 million pounds from Ajax two years ago, has played just 14 minutes as a sub since that defeat.

He lost his place in the Holland squad for Saturday’s friendly against Japan and the midweek World Cup qualifier in Scotland – until Ibrahim Afellay’s injury saw him recalled.

“Being left out was a real shock and very worrying. I didn’t expect not to be named, I’d already booked my ticket! We will have to review the situation again in January,” he said.

“But I think half a season back at Ajax, with a World Cup coming up next summer, wouldn’t be a bad option at all. I see the current situation at Liverpool as a signal I have to be playing more,” Babel added. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chelsea to launch 50 million pound bid for Torres

June 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, June 21 (ANI): Chelsea is ready to test Liverpool’s resolve with a 50 million pound bid for Fernando Torres.

Carlo Ancelotti has already targeted Torres’ Spain strike partner David Villa, offering Valencia 35 million pound.

Now, the Blues boss is ready to make an audacious attempt to unite Villa and Torres at club level. iverpool manager Rafa Benitez will do all he can to block the move. But he is worried the huge sum offered by Chelsea could tempt American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Liverpool’s true financial state will be revealed over the coming weeks and Benitez is beginning to fear the worst, The Sun reports.

At the end of the season Benitez was hopeful of landing 27-year-old Villa. Now he not only has to face up to Chelsea signing Villa, but also targeting Torres.

Villa’s proposed move to Real Madrid has not gone through because Chelsea’s bid is 4 million pound higher and is preferred by debt- ridden Valencia.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to take advantage of Liverpool’s own money worries by making the sort of offer he hopes Gillett and Hicks will not be able to refuse.t is understood a tentative inquiry was made by a third party in April about how much it would cost to prise Torres away from Anfield.

The message from Liverpool at the time was that there was no chance of Torres being sold. Then in May the 25-year-old striker signed an improved deal to 2013.

If necessary, Ancelotti and Abramovich will settle for just landing Villa. But if there is even an outside chance of snatching Torres away from Anfield, they will take it. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Torres vows to always stay at ‘boyhood club’ Liverpool

June 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, June 19 (ANI): Fernando Torres has pledged his future to Liverpool, and insisted that even Real Madrid’s cash could not tempt him to leave.

Spain star Torres says he is not interested in going to the Bernabeu or even Old Trafford.

“Madrid are obviously spending lots of money and I’m sure Alex Ferguson will be looking for a big name to replace Ronaldo, but I’m very excited about what Rafa Benitez is doing here,” The Sun quoted Torres, as saying.

“Clubs might go crazy offering higher wages than anybody else, but that doesn’t interest me. To want any more money would be greedy and that’s not me.

“As long as Liverpool want me, I’ll stay. I’d only have left Atletico Madrid for Liverpool. I grew up in Spain, but Liverpool are my boyhood club,” he added. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool to stun Man U by snatching Carlos Tevez

May 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 17 (ANI): Liverpool is confident of gate crashing Manchester United’s title party by snatching Carlos Tevez in a stunning 22 million pound offer.

Kop boss Rafa Benitez has decided to make signing the Old Trafford idol his top priority, which is being considered the biggest transfer coup of the summer.

Benitez has already earmarked Liverpool’s No 10 shirt for the South American and alerted the player’s representatives of his determination to make a deal happen, The Sun reports.

Now, Tevez is willing to snub overtures from across Europe and a 135,000 pound-a-week offer from Manchester City to become the first player to make the sensational move direct from Old Trafford to Anfield in 45 years.

Benitez’s confidence he will land the striker grew after Tevez announced his intention to quit United in last week’s Sport of the World exclusive.

Liverpool have put a transfer strategy in place which relies on the 18 million pound sale of Xabi Alonso and the release of up to 10 other squad players, raising the necessary funds to pay for Tevez. enitez wasn’t originally in the market for a striker this summer, but the opportunity to steal Tevez from under the nose of Sir Alex Ferguson has been too much to resist.

Most importantly, Benitez sees Tevez as a world-class addition to his emerging squad, with Gareth Barry also joining from Aston Villa to add a formidable array of talent at Anfield. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool’s Rafa refuses to concede Man U better

May 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 16 (ANI): Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez continues to believe that his club’s playing style is far better than what is on offer from Manchester United, notwithstanding the fact that the latter is closing on three of the five soccer titles up for grabs.

“It’s the team that has more points, that’s all. Sometimes they can be the best at the beginning, in the middle or maybe with consistency, but it just means they have more points. It depends on the time of the season. I don’t think I ever said we were playing the best out of everyone, maybe just at certain moments. I do have a lot of respect for the other teams, but to say who is the best at one moment is not easy – there are a lot of good teams in the Premier League,” The Sun quoted Rafa, as saying.

Liverpool have scored more goals, lost fewer games – just two – and rattled up a better goal difference than the rest.

Victory in their last two ties, against West Brom and Tottenham, would also earn them a club record haul of 86 points. That would beat the 82 they managed in the 2005-06 campaign.

If they avoid defeat in the last two matches, they will also become the only side to lose that few and fail to lift the title. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool’s Torres not to play against Newcastle

May 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, May 3 (ANI): Spanish football star Fernando Torres will not play for Liverpool in its must-win clash against Newcastle today.

Torres is suffering from a hamstring problem which has plagued him all season, reports The Sun.lub coach Rafa Benitez has decided not to risk Torres, even though victory over Newcastle is vital if Liverpool is to keep the pressure on Manchester United.

Benitez knows that any slip at Anfield this afternoon will virtually hand the title to Manchester United with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men currently six points clear. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

‘We’d love to beat Arsenal to clinch Premier League title,’ says Carrick

April 24, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr.24 (ANI): Manchester United’s Michael Carrick wants the Premier League title in the bag at the earliest opportunity as they chase the Quadruple, and believes this can be sealed by defeating old rivals Arsenal on May 16.

That could be the scenario if the champions and nearest challengers Liverpool win all their league fixtures between now and then.

It would be a sweet moment for United fans, who still remember the day the Gunners won the title in front of the Stretford End back in 2002.

Should Rafa Benitez’s men falter, then the title could even be clinched six days earlier in the home fixture against Manchester City, reports The Sun.

United’s England midfielder said: “We just want to carry on winning in the league and the target for us is to get the title in the bag at the earliest moment we possibly can. That way we can start to focus on trying to retain the Champions League.

“We haven’t thought that far ahead yet about when we can win it but I can understand why some people do. I know it would be perfect for the fans if we could do it against our big rivals, it would be a great way to round it off for them. But really as a squad we can’t afford to let ourselves get carried away. You can’t take your eye off the ball,” he added.

Carrick, 27, was speaking after meeting young footballers at the NSPCC’s Young People’s Centre in Warrington. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool’s Benitez says he will battle Man U till the end

April 23, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr.22 (ANI): Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez is insisting he will battle Manchester United to the end despite Russian football star Andrey Arshavin blitzing his team’s Liverpool’s title dream with four goals.

“We know that this result hands the initiative to them (Manchester United), but they had it before because they were always in the driving seat,” The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.

The draw lifts Liverpool ahead of United on goal difference but Kamikaze defending cost them the chance to go two points clear. And they have played two games more than their rivals.

Shellshocked Kop fans witnessed their second 4-4 draw in seven days in a real Anfield thriller.

Benitez said: “All the players came off with their heads down even after an incredible performance because they knew we had lost the chance to put big pressure on United. But we showed we will fight right to the end.” (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool wants to end war of words with Manchester United

April 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London, Apr.21 (ANI): Liverpool wants to end its war of words with Manchester United, and particularly with coach-cum-manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Liverpool Deputy Coach Sammy Lee said that the recent spat between Ferguson and Anfield Rafa Benitez was “sad”, but added that the side is keen only on taking the title from manchester United.

The Anfield assistant coach admitted that he was tired of talking about the bitter feud between the two managers, and instead turned his focus onto his side’s attempt to prise the Premier League trophy from the grasp of United.

“I look at the faces of the players and I can see belief in there. There is a will and a desire to be the best they can become, and a belief they can go out and win all their games,” The Mirror quoted Lee, as saying.

“I look around the dressing room and it fills me with faith, because there is a real good ethic in there. It is a team sport remember, and we feel we have the perfect team mentality. The players are not distracted by anything, they are concentrating on what we know we have to do, which is to win our last six matches. And when you look in the dressing room, you see people you know you can trust.The mood is very buoyant, and everybody knows what we have to do,” he added.

“What’s going on outside is an irrelevance, it is peripheral to what the true objectives are, which is to perform on the pitch, and try to win our remaining games,” he said. (ANI)

Filed Under: Sports News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool to offload goalkeeper after Hillsborough disrespect

April 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment

London – Liverpool will redouble their efforts to offload goalkeeper Charles Itandje after he was caught on camera laughing during Wednesday’s Hillsborough memorial service.

Members of the congregation afterwards complained about Itandje’s behaviour, with various reports suggesting manager Rafa Benitez was furious with the French goalkeeper’s attitude.

The service was held at Anfield on Wednesday to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the tragedy that led to the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans at an FA Cup semi-final.

Liverpool officials have described Itandje’s behaviour as “wholly unacceptable” and he is unlikely to play for the club again.

Itandje has made seven first-team appearances since joining Liverpool on a free transfer from Lens in 2007, but has not started a senior game since the FA Cup defeat by Barnsley last season.

Attempts to offload the 26 year old last summer stumbled over Itandje’s personal demands.

He has two years remaining on his contract. (dpa)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts