Alberto Aquilani to Juventus on a year loan deal

Liverpool's Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani is to join Juventus on a one-year loan, pending a medical.

Aquilani will join The Old Lady for a year in a bid to gain regular first-team football after arriving from Roma a year ago to replace Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso for £20million.

Aquilani, who has been capped 11 times by Italy, has made only 28 appearances for the Reds, scoring two goals in the process.

Juventus have further boosted their squad by signing Serbia international striker Milos Krasic from CSKA Moscow in a deal which could eventually be worth over £12million.

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Javier Mascherano want to leave Anfield

Roy Hodgson has today revealed that Javier Mascherano has expressed a desire to leave Liverpool - but insists the Argentina captain will remain at Anfield until the Reds receive a suitable offer.

Mascherano is believed to have been unsettled at Anfield for some time but on Monday made his position clear to Hodgson when meeting the new manager upon his return to the club.

Inter Milan, the European champions, are likely to lodge a £25million offer once the sale of Mario Balotelli to Manchester City is complete. Inter opened discussions with Liverpool about the player last week and Mascherano's decision to tell Hodgson of his intentions is likely to speed a deal through.

Hodgson had failed to hold talks over the phone with the former West Ham player while he was on holiday with his family in Miami, revealing he had left a voicemail message but received no response.

   "He wants to leave the club,"

"He's made that perfectly clear. I think he wanted to leave a year ago and he wants to leave now. But he's contracted to Liverpool Football Club, so whether he leaves or not is our decision. At the moment he's a Liverpool player and I will continue to treat him as such until a day arrives when he no longer is.

"The mere fact that the player is a little bit unhappy with his situation and would prefer to leave doesn't necessarily mean he will leave.

"It disappoints me but it's not unusual. In every football club in the Barclays Premier League - and in the world - there will be players that would prefer to leave their team. Some are allowed to, some aren't.

"So that's the situation. Mascherano is a Liverpool player, he has a two year contract and I expect him to honour that until the day comes when the club decides to accept an offer for his services." Hodgson told an Anfield press conference.

Mascherano had wished to leave Liverpool last summer, hoping to be the subject of a bid from Barcelona, but Benitez's refusal to countenance losing both the Argentine and Xabi Alonso in the same summer precluded any deal.

He had seemed set to stay at Anfield earlier this year, opening discussions over a new, £100,000-a-week contract, but talks stalled in May and the departure of Benítez seemed to seal his own exit.

No bid, though, will be formally made until Inter are sure of the funds from the sale of Balotelli, likely to be finalised this week, meaning the saga over the player's future may yet drag on into next month.

Sources: www.liverpoolfc.tv, ESPN Soccernet, Telegraph UK

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Cole wearing the iconic No.10

There has been some confusion in allocation of Liverpool’s shirt numbers. Earlier signing of Milan Jovanovic has already been assigned with the number 10 shirt.

But due to the popularity of Joe Cole, he has been given the number 10 shirt instead. Jovanovic will be wearing the number 14 shirt, previously worn by Xabi Alonso.

Cole has completed his move to Liverpool FC on Wednesday after the England international has passed his medical.

 

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Alonso goes for Real

The Spanish giant, Real Madrid, has prized Xabi Alonso away from Liverpool for a deal worth £30million. Liverpool has confirmed the deal in their official website.

After weeks of negotiations, Liverpool has finally agreed the transfer of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. The 27-year old has signed the personal contract worth £3million in a four-year deal.

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Juventus not interested in Liverpool midfielder

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli insists the Serie A giants are not interested in signing Liverpool midfielder.

Speculation is rife that Juventus have joined the race to sign Xabi Alonso, who they tried to tempt to the Stadio Olimpico last year.

  “For the midfield, there are many names. But Xabi Alonso's not one of those",

"I read in the press about our interest for him. He's a good player, but I think that saying I've read his name in papers is where it ends." – Cobolli Gigli.

Cobolli Gigli also revealed that Juventus are still interested in Udinese playmaker Gaetano D'Agostino despite their bid hitting several stumbling blocks.

However, Cobolli Gigli claims they are not in the hunt for Alonso, who has also been linked with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Juventus wouldn't be able to match the amount that Real Madrid would bid, which is rumoured to be between £25m and £35m, with it now looking increasingly like the Spanish international is actually going to be leaving Anfield?

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Liverpool midfielder exit inevitable

Liverpool midfielder wants a move to Real Madrid sorted out before July 19 according to reports.

Xabi Alonso has flown back to Spain after the Confederations Cup in South Africa and immediately went into talks with his representative Inaki Ibanez, to have his future sorted out before he is due to meet up with his team-mates ahead of a tour of Asia.

  "I don't know what will happen. The clubs now have to negotiate."

“It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested, but I cannot say much more,” – Xabi Alonso, Spanish newspaper AS.

Alonso has so far refused to come out and publicly make his intentions clear. Rafa Benitez wants to keep Alonso but accepts there is little he can do if the player wants to leave.

“I know that I have to keep playing well and will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises.

“I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool.

“My relationship with Benitez is professional. I’ve already been in England five years and the truth is that I have adapted well.

“I’m happy there, though I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.” – Xabi Alonso

Benitez will held a face-to-face talks with Alonso this week after scoring the winning goal for Spain against South Africa. The press interview during his involvement at South Africa has puzzled us and Liverpool. Alonso did not gave his assurances about where his future lies after the Confederations Cup.

Benitez does not want to lose either Alonso or Javier Mascherano, but if Alonso is keen for a Bernabeu switch, he wants the player to publicly come out and state his intentions.

Real Madrid has submitted a £30million bid for Alonso but Liverpool will not do business if the bids are lower than £35million, according to the sources from Spain.

Hopefully, Benitez can persuades Alonso, a player he’s trying to offload last summer, to stay put at Anfield.

 

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Weekend Link – June 28: ‘El Nino’ to front PES, Save the Kop stand, Real continues its shopping sprees, First we have Michael Owen brochure then comes Barton’s, News roundup in the Premier League

Links from around the globe.

Fernando Torres stars in the upcoming Pro Evolution Soccer 2010.

- AnfieldReds

 

Sign the petition!

- The Empire of The Kop

 

“I want Raul Albiol, Franck Ribery, David Villa for Real.”

- Football News

 

The Joey Barton brochure.

- 90minutes

 

Red Devils wants Owen, Heinze return to Premier League and more…

- Premiership Talk

 

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Real Madrid to raids Liverpool with £38M

Liverpool are now resigns to loosing their midfield maestro and a right-back to Real Madrid after the Reds announced the captures of Glen Johnson from Portsmouth.

Real Madrid are prepared to pay Liverpool £30million for Xabi Alonso and £8million on Alvaro Arbeloa. Liverpool are reluctant to sell his players to Premier League rivals, Chelsea and Manchester City, who are also interested in signing the Spanish defensive midfielder.

Benitez will now concentrate on trying to keep Javier Mascherano, despite Barcelona's interest, and will use the funds from Alonso's transfer to continue re-building his team.

While, on the youth’s development, the Reds has snapped up Rushden & Diamonds, Aaron King, 16-year old striker on two-year scholarship deal at Anfield and will continue his education at the club.

Two days earlier, Liverpool have beaten Real Madrid and Barcelona to the signature of Cadiz teenager Jesus Fernandez Saez. The 16-year old will sign a five-year contract with The Reds.

Cadiz will be paid compensation and, although a figure has not been specified, it is believed to be more than the payment due to the Spanish team to take over the player’s academy contract.

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Moores quits Liverpool board

Former Liverpool chairman David Moores has resigned from the Club's Board of Directors. Moores will, however, retain his position as Club Honorary Life President.

Moores, whose family became one of the richest in Britain with the creation of the Littlewoods empire, took the role of chairman in 1991.

However, with the club in need of increasing investment he sold his majority shareholding to current American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks two years ago.

The move proved to be an unpopular one among fans after the pair borrowed £350million to finance the takeover and then grand plans for a new stadium were continually delayed.

Moores himself admitted last year he felt "heartbroken and let down" by the owners, and his disappearance from the board follows the decision by chief executive Rick Parry - who helped negotiate the takeover with Gillett and Hicks - to step down this summer after 12 years at the club.

Time for the current co-owners to bring out their cheque books. They came with promises of bringing Liverpool Football Club forward but until now we still back tracking, lacks of big-names signing.

So here are my suggestions;

• David Villa - £45million
• David Silva - £30million
• Glen Johnson – £18million
• Luis Antonio Valencia - £17million

Total spending - £110million

And ship these players out of Anfield;

• Sebastian Leto - £2million
• Andrea Dossena - £6million
• Andriy Voronin - £8million
• Charles Itandje - £5million
• Ryan Babel - £8million
• Alvaro Arbeloa - £8million
• Jack Hobbs (already sold to Leicester) – undisclosed, estimated around £1.5million
• another £7million Peter Crouch’s transfer fee

Total recouped - £45.5million

Total funds needed from the co-owners, another £44.5million after minus the promised £20million for Rafa’s spending. If Rafa can convinced Alonso to stay, then let Mascherano go for £35million should increased Rafa’s coffer and the co-owners just need to give Rafa another £9.5million on top of the £20million.

Spending £30million a season are considered the lowest among the big four team in Premiership. Last season, Manchester United was able to splashed £32million on Berbatov alone. It’s time for Rafa to wave his magic wand again, we can trust Rafa to sell his flops soon.

 

 LIVERPOOL XI

Reina

Johnson – Carragher – Skrtel – Aurelio

Alonso

Valencia – Gerrard – Silva

Villa – Torres

You must be wondering why sell Arbeloa? If the Reds do signs Johnson, Rafa must sell before buy. Philipp Degen won’t attracts any suitable club after he was sidelined for the whole season through injury. Degen would be the cover for right-back position.

The probabilities of Javier Mascherano leaving are very high, if Barcelona are willing to pay £35million for him. But in order for Mascherano to leave, Rafa must keep Alonso. If both of them left, it would be a disaster!

Why bring in Valencia? Well, the Reds hasn’t had an out-and-out right winger for a long time. Dirk Kuyt has done relatively a great job for Liverpool last season but the formation are still unbalance without a proper winger.

David Silva, aren’t we all hope he’ll sign for us? Getting rids of Babel and Dossena has freed up the left-hand side of midfield with Albert Reira as the backup left winger for Silva.

David Villa, the on-form striker at the moment. His partnership with Torres on international level are phenomenal. Linking him up with Torres at Anfield, we are the team to beat next season.

All of these are just my two cents. If Liverpool do get the right players in on time before the season kick-off, the painful and long wait for a league championship will be over soon. Come home number 19.

What do you think of it? Leave your thoughts here.

 

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Xabi Alonso casts further doubt on future at Anfield

In the recent heat of rumours, Xabi Alonso has fuelled further damage to his future at Anfield. The 27-year old midfielder are on international duty with Spain at Confederations Cup this month.

He has answered a journalist’s question in a recent interview after being asked whether he would be disappointed to start next season at Anfield?

  "I cannot respond to that. But each player thinks about their own future.

"It's clear that on the outside there are reports about your future, but you cannot do much and the only thing you can do is train normally." – Alonso, Mirror.

This has indicated that he’s still haven’t told Rafa Benitez of his intention to remain at Anfield for the next season despite the released official statement by Liverpool.

This news came in the wake of another Liverpool’s midfielder being court by a Spanish club. Are Liverpool going to loose their two most influential midfielders this summer? What are your thought on Xabi Alonso leaving Anfield?

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Liverpool issues an official statement for duo

The growing speculation and rumours from the press linking Liverpool’s midfielders has blown out of proportion. Those stories published on the press has affected the players and therefore Liverpool Football Club has issues an official statement on liverpoolfc.tv website.

Below are the following statement taken from LFC’s website;

"Despite repeated media speculation on the futures of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Liverpool has received no official approach or offer from any club regarding the players.

"Neither is for sale and furthermore Liverpool has no interest in the long list of Spanish based players being linked with a move to Anfield as part of any deal."

Until any concrete offers has been received by Liverpool, so in another words translated from the statement above are “So you f@#*ing idiots, stop printing all those nonsense.”

David Silva, Alvaro Negredo, Alberto Bueno or Samuel Eto’o can stay where there are at the moment as Liverpool are not interested with them at the moment.

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Watch Fernando Torres tore apart the Kiwis

Last night, the Confederations Cup kickoff in South Africa with the host nation takes on Iraq in the opening match. The match ended in a goalless draw.

Then, another Group A match between New Zealand and the current Fifa’s world number one ranking team, Spain kickoff later at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenberg. The match saw Fernando ‘El Nino’ Torres tore apart the Kiwis with a hat-trick all inside the first 17 minutes. First, he curled with his right foot, then side-footed his second with his left and headed in his third.

Three Liverpool’s player started in the match, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Albert Reira before Alvaro Arbeloa  came in for Sergio Ramos in the 54 minutes substitute. El Nino was substituted in the 70 minutes by David Silva.

Spain go on and won the match 5-nil. Cesc Fabregas and David Villa scores one each. Torres also bags the man of the match award and scored the fastest hat-trick in FIFA Confederations Cup history. Now watch all El Nino’s goals against the Kiwis below.

 

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Your view: Alonso for Real?

Real Madrid just confirmed the captures of Cristiano Ronaldo for a £80million world's record transfer fee. Real’s second signing after Kaka, has putting the alarm bell over the future of Xabi Alonso at Anfield yet again.

After splashing a staggering £136million on Kaka and Ronaldo, Real Madrid do have the resources to launch another big money signing. Liverpool heavily in debt, could the board resist the £30million offer for Alonso?

So in the latest poll on Red's Fury™, I ask for your thoughts on the prospect of selling Xabi. Vote below!

Should Liverpool let Alonso go?

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Liverpool to sell Alonso to the highest bidder

We have heard so many times Rafa has stressed in his interviews about his ‘very’ intension of keeping the Liverpool ‘spine’ intact. But the interest from Real Madrid and the money-spender Manchester City on Xabi Alonso just don’t take the heed.

Well, the press these days are very difficult to trust. I mean, how bad are the relationship between Rafa and Xabi at this point? We all know that Rafa made a mistake and want to forced Xabi out of Anfield last summer but that didn't happened.

Will Rafa going make the very same mistake twice? The papers saying Liverpool has slapped a £30million price tag on Alonso and whoever pay more than the asking price gets Xabi. It is interesting to see Real will pay over the odds and prise Alonso from us. With £30million, there could be only one thing on Rafa’s mind, swooping for David Silva from Valencia.

I rather have them both at Anfield rather than seeing one of them make way for the other. On the other hand, City just after snaring Barry under our nose will try they luck in luring Alonso to the Eastlands.

I do hope Liverpool, Rafa and Alonso settle their differences once and for all. These are the story made-up to unsettle the true contender for the league title. I will have faith in Xabi that he’ll stay with us next season.

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Liverpool not selling their midfield maestro

The rumour linking Xabi Alonso to Juventus, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester City has been resurfaced again. This time, Rafa Benitez has squashed reports in the Spanish media that an agreement has been reached with Real Madrid.

"The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best players and that includes Xabi.

"He had a very good season for us and can be an important player in the future. There is no agreement with Real and we want him to be part of our plans going forward.

"Xabi himself told our club magazine only two weeks ago that he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool player. Why should he want to leave now?" – Rafa Benitez, Liverpoolfc.tv

Read more on Xabi’s transfer rumours at TeamTalk and Liverpoolfc.tv.

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Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

English Premier League

22nd November 2008

Anfield (H)

LIVERPOOL 0-0 FULHAM

A day of stalemates and misery for the Premier League’s Big Four. Liverpool throw away a good opportunity to lead the Premier League when the Reds drew nil-nil at Anfield.

Chelsea and Manchester United, another casualties of the mid-week international friendlies, also failed to score in their matches. Arsenal suffered a heavy defeat in the hand of Manchester City, crashing to a 3-nil humiliation.

The decision to play Lucas Levia clearly backfired as Liverpool failed to control the midfield area during the first half. Rafa benched Xabi Alonso after the Spaniard featured for the full 90-minute in Spain’s friendly match.

Fulham, with one of the best defensive records in the top flight, have never won at Anfield and rarely looked like doing so this time.

But their dogged performance claimed only their second away point of the season and also secured their third goalless draw in eight visits to Anfield.

At least they had worked out how to contain a Liverpool side who lacked ideas and inspiration. Not even the return of Fernando Torres to the starting line-up helped much.

Benitez insisted his players must take collective responsibility.

He said: "We will always miss a player of Stevie's ability, but we did not beat Fulham because five or so players were all off form together.

"You cannot win games when that happens. He would have made a difference, yes, but it should not be an excuse.

"He is training now and I would expect that he would be fit to play against Marseille on Wednesday."

Fulham’s goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer pulled off to fine saves to denied Liverpool. A half chance fell to Robbie Keane where he fails to convert and smashed a shot straight at Schwarzer from eight yards out.

The Reds were turning the screw and the Fulham stopper had to be at his instinctive best again on 70 minutes when he pushed Dirk Kuyt's effort away after a volleyed cross from Albert Riera.

Dropping points at home wasn't an excused for missing some key players and the mid-week international friendlies. Rafa should always select his strongest eleven, not relying on those fresh legs and haven't started regularly. Hopefully, Rafa pulls his head together and get us through to the next round of Champions League.


The team:
Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher (c), Arbeloa, Riera, Leiva, Mascherano, Kuyt, Keane, Torres
Subs - Alonso, Babel, Benayoun, Cavalieri, Dossena, El Zhar, Hyypia

Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hangeland, Hughes, Pantsill, Dempsey, Bullard, Murphy (c), Davies, Johnson, Zamora
Subs - Baird, Gera, Gray, Kallio, Nevland, Stoor, Zuberbuhler

Referee: M Halsey

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Red's Fury™

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Reds on target for international friendlies

A mid-week World Cup qualifier warm up matches been held last night. Two of the Liverpool players were on the scoresheet for thier respective countries. Xabi Alonso scored twice for Spain to beat Daniel Agger's Denmark 3-0.

While, Rafa trying to offload Alonso, he's getting better and better each game for Spain and Liverpool. In return, it may forced Rafa to reconsider his decision to sell Xabi.

Meanwhile, Robbie Keane bagged his 34th international goal as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Norway. The game also saw Steve Finnan make his international return.

It’s always nice to score as a striker. But it’s important to score for the team and that is the most important thing. It would have been nice to have held out for the win but it wasn’t to be. - Robbie Keane, Setanta Sport

Elsewhere, Andrea Dossena earned his second international cap when he came on in the second half during Italy's 2-2 draw with Austria.

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