Match Preview: Liverpool v Sevilla

The Reds will return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they face Sevilla at Anfield.

Liverpool held by Sevilla in Champions League opener

Liverpool began their Champions League group stage campaign with a 2-2 draw with Sevilla at Anfield on Wednesday.

Match Day: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at Anfield as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday.

Goal Highlights: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Liverpool is keen to make up for the frustration of Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.

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Showing posts with label phil jones. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phil jones. Show all posts

Monday, June 13, 2011

Case Closed: Phil Jones Officially A Devil

Blackburn have stepped aside to allow Phil Jones to "follow his dream" of joining Manchester United.

Phil Jones Although Rovers have claimed Jones' switch to Old Trafford could eventually break their transfer record, United have not gone beyond the initial £16.5million offer that triggered a buy-out clause in the teenager's contract last week.

Even as Blackburn owners Venky's were refusing to sanction the deal when it was first put together last Wednesday and were fielding renewed interest from Liverpool over the weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson was secure in the knowledge Jones was not interested in going anywhere else.

So, once Jones' contribution to England's draw with Spain in their opening European Under-21 Championship group game was out of the way last night, further contact with Blackburn was made to assure the club any attempt at prolonging the transfer was futile.

Jones will formally sign a five-year contract once he returns from Denmark.

"Much as we would love him to stay on with us - and we made all efforts to convince him to stay - Phil has to finally follow his heart," said a statement on behalf of the Rovers' owners, directors and manager, released on the club website.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean confirmed those efforts included offering to make Jones the highest-paid player in the club's history.

"The offer we made he was staggering for a 19-year-old, but it wasn't the money," Kean told Sky Sports News. "Phil wants to play Champions League football now and we're not at that level.

"I'm sure we will be in the coming years, and we gave it a real good try and made him a fantastic offer, but I understand why he wants to go now. He goes with our blessing and it's an opportunity for us to invest in other young players across other areas of the pitch.

"We were hoping he was going to be captain of our club and captain of England, he's a fantastic prospect and I'm sure he'll be an England regular very soon."

It represents a smart piece of business for Ferguson, who knew the 19-year-old was also coveted by Arsenal, and secures another important piece in a developing United team that now contains four of England's starting line-up last night.

In addition, the Old Trafford chief is hoping to complete the signing of Spain goalkeeper David De Gea, who produced an excellent performance in Herning.

However, Ferguson is not focusing purely on youth as he looks to rebuild in the wake of his club's chastening Champions League final defeat to Barcelona last month.

It is widely assumed Ashley Young's much-discussed switch from Aston Villa will be completed once the Midlands outfit have sorted out their managerial situation.

Ferguson is also trying to secure a replacement for recently retired playmaker Paul Scholes, although apparently it will not be Mesut Ozil, the Germany star whom United were interested in before he left Werder Bremen for Real Madrid last August.

"We thank Manchester United for their interest but Ozil is fine in Madrid and has no intention of leaving," said the midfielder's agent Reza Fazeli.

With Wesley Sneijder giving out mixed messages over a potential departure from Inter Milan and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp repeatedly stating he has no interest in offloading Luka Modric, finding someone to step into Scholes' shoes is not going to be easy.

"That is up to the manager," laughed Scholes.

"You only have to look at the youth team and what they have done this year to see there is a lot of talent at this club. There are some great players.

"But the ones we have been linked with are great as well."

Although he will be part of Ferguson's coaching team at the start of pre-season, with his precise role yet to be determined, Scholes will have no input in the discussions over his replacement.

Instead, he will be like any other fan, sitting back and waiting to find out which star name will eventually arrive, knowing his first appearance on English soil could well come in Scholes' testimonial game against New York Cosmos on August 5.

"It is a great time of year," said the 36-year-old.

"Even when I was a player you see all these top players around the world that you're linked with, and you are excited about maybe playing with them.

"Now I am just like my son, hoping we buy the best players in the world and that they make us even stronger for next year."

Meanwhile, one of Ferguson's more bizarre recent captures, Bebe, is in talks with Turkish club Besiktas about a loan move.

Ferguson broke the habit of a lifetime buy snapping Bebe up despite never actually seeing him play.

The transfer has not really worked out, with the 20-year-old making only seven appearances, scoring two goals.

Source: Football365

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Liverpool outbid United for Jones

Manchester United’s multi-million pound signing of teenage defender Phil Jones from Blackburn Rovers lies in tatters.

Phil Jones Blackburn's Indian owners have reacted furiously to what they perceive as United's attempt to railroad them into selling the 19-year-old and have told United: 'We will not be bullied'.

And in a stunning 11th-hour development on Saturday, the Mail on Sunday can reveal that Liverpool have told Blackburn they will pay £22million for Jones, a move that will ruin Alex Ferguson's holiday mood as he takes a break in the south of France.

Arsenal have also belatedly submitted a bid that tops United's £16.5m offer, and with Chelsea showing serious interest in the player, too, an auction appears to be unfolding. It will come as a bitter blow to Ferguson if he misses out on Jones, and it will sting all the harder if the player ends up at United's fierce rivals at Anfield.

Rovers' owners have been angered by United's attitude and at a meeting on Saturday in Pune, India, which was attended by manager Steve Kean - straight off a plane to Mumbai - they resolved to prevent the deal going through.

United have offered to make Jones the highest-paid teenager in the history of English football with a startling £80,000-a-week contract, but Blackburn are even prepared to top that.

Rovers chairwoman Anuradha Desai made it clear to Kean and fellow executives, who made up a 'war council' in India, that they must try to persuade the defender to stay. The prospect of being a future club captain is also being dangled before Jones.

Money is said to be 'not an issue' for Desai's family, who are billionaires through their Venky's poultry conglomerate.

They want to keep their best players, especially home-grown talents such as Jones.

But if they fail to persuade him, they will do all they can to elicit the best price from one of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, United or Tottenham, telling Jones: 'If you go, you go where we get the best money.'

A source close to Rovers said: "United can't do what they want in this case. Jones is a Blackburn player and while there is a clause that could mean he leaves, it's far from the straightforward issue everyone assumes it to be."

Jones signed a United shirt for fans while training with England's Under-21s in Denmark on Friday and, along with his representatives and United, had thought the transfer was a formality.

The player wants to join United but it is not known whether he has even been informed yet that Liverpool have made a bigger offer.

A major headache for United is in the interpretation of the release clause in Jones's contract. They triggered it with their £16.5m offer and were allowed to talk to the player as a result.

But Rovers have taken legal advice and insist the clause does not force them to sell to the first club to meet the figure.

The biggest loser in all this could be England Under- 21 boss Stuart Pearce.

He would not name his team on Saturday night for the opening game against Spain as the possibility of the transfer deal distracting the versatile defender grew.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Mail

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Jones snubs Liverpool for United

Skysports.com has learnt Blackburn Rovers defender Phil Jones is at Manchester United having a medical as he closes on a move to Old Trafford.

Phil Jones The in-demand centre-half is also a target for Arsenal and Liverpool but it would appear United have stolen a march on their Premier League rivals in a transfer race that could be concluded soon.

Liverpool were thought to be the early front-runners for the England Under 21 international but Sir Alex Ferguson, with a healthy transfer chest of his own, is set to land a player many believe will be a mainstay for the senior national side for years to come.

It is understood United have offered the player a five-year contract, despite widespread reports he was to undergo a medical at Liverpool's training ground.

The 19-year-old was supposed to travel to Denmark on Wednesday with the England Under 21s for this summer's European Championship.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Sky Sports

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Friday, June 3, 2011

Liverpool to kop £30M deal for young England stars

Liverpool are closing in on a £30million swoop for two of England’s hottest prospects — Blackburn defender Phil Jones and Sunderland midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Jordan Henderson The Anfield giants increased their initial offer of £13million for Henderson, 20, to £15million yesterday and are hopeful Sunderland will compromise on their asking price of £18million.

Liverpool are also ready to make a formal offer to Blackburn for £15million-rated Jones, though they face a battle for him with Arsenal and Tottenham.

The moves are part of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish's strategy of buying top English talent, having signed striker Andy Carroll in January for £35million from Newcastle.

The club have also asked about the availability of midfielder Lee Cattermole at the Stadium of Light.

Henderson and Jones are in Spain with the England U21 party preparing for this month's European Championship in Denmark.

Stuart Pearce's squad fly home tonight before travelling to Southampton for Sunday's friendly against Norway, but Henderson is on stand-by to travel to Merseyside and complete the deal as soon as the two clubs agree a fee.

Liverpool's move for Jones will alert Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who has made it known he wants to build his back four around the 19-year-old.

Wenger was prepared to wait a year while signing Jones's Blackburn team-mate Chris Samba now.

That deal is advanced but Liverpool's move may force Wenger to rethink his plans for Jones, who has impressed in the centre of defence and midfield since making his Premier League debut against Chelsea in March last year.

He signed a five-year deal that May and extended it by 12 months in February.

Blackburn would prefer to keep their prize asset and sell Samba but accept that they will not be able to stand in Jones's way if the right offer comes in.

Dalglish has already signalled a change of direction at Anfield since succeeding Roy Hodgson by handing first-team opportunities to 17-year-old Jack Robinson, 18-year-old John Flanagan and 21-year-old Martin Kelly, and giving a new deal to Jay Spearing, 22.

However, both deals are still on a pre-matured stage. Sunderland boss, Steve Bruce has made it clear to all clubs pursuing Jordan Henderson that he is not for sale.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv, Daily Mail and PremierLeague.com

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