LeBron James joins Liverpool FC

United States basketball star LeBron James has become a minority stakeholder in Liverpool after signing a representation deal with club owners Fenway Sports Group.

The Wall Street Journal claims that FSG has struck a deal to partner the Miami Heat player's sports-marketing firm, LRMR Branding & Marketing, to become his exclusive worldwide representative.

The newspaper said Maverick Carter, chief executive of LRMR, had expressed his desire to build James' portfolio internationally and find opportunities for him to gain equity in companies throughout the world as his commercial interests have largely been limited to sponsorship and endorsement deals.

The report also said James received an undisclosed minority stake in Liverpool as part of the deal.

Source: ESPNSoccernet

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West Bromwich 2-1 Liverpool: Costly error and referee blunder

Two penalties and two injuries proved Liverpool's undoing as they came up against former manager Roy Hodgson at the Hawthorns.

The Reds took the lead through Martin Skrtel despite early injuries which forced Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger from the pitch - but the game ended 2-1 to the Baggies after Chris Brunt successfully converted a pair of spot-kicks.

Liverpool travelled to the Midlands without skipper Steven Gerrard, who continues to recover from the groin operation he underwent three weeks ago.

In his absence Dalglish selected exactly the same team and bench as served us so well in Sunderland before the international break.

The visitors instantly looked to penetrate a nervy West Brom defence and almost scored on two minutes when Andy Carroll flicked on a Raul Meireles corner only for Dirk Kuyt to be denied on the line by former Reds stopper Scott Carson.

The momentum was theirs - but Dalglish was dealt a duff hand on eight minutes when yet another full-back collapsed with an apparent hamstring problem. It is an injury that is already keeping Martin Kelly and Fabio Aurelio in the treatment room - and it looks like they will now be joined by Johnson for a period of time. The reshuffle saw Sotirios Kyrgiakos strip down and Agger shift to left-back.

Kuyt again came close to affecting the scoreboard when he dragged wide after a Luis Suarez pass, while any problems Liverpool did encounter were presented to physio Rob Price rather than Pepe Reina. He was on the field again on 24 minutes to accompany Agger down the tunnel. [Read more…]

Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv

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Can Liverpool Steal 5th Spot?

As disappointing as Liverpool’s exit from the Europa League against Sporting Braga last week was, Reds fans can console themselves with the fact that for the first time in a couple of years now, there are plenty of reasons to be positive. Since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish, the fortunes of a club - who unthinkably considered the possibility of relegation just a few short months ago – have been transformed and there is cause for optimism once again at Anfield.
Just two seasons ago, Liverpool were part of the “Big Four”, a group of clubs at the top of the Premiership so dominant that we were told it couldn’t be broken into. Not only are Liverpool not in the top four anymore, they aren’t even in the top five!  It is certainly possible Liverpool can regain their Champions League place by finishing in the top four next season, but to do that, they are going to have to secure European football next season.
As he struggles to find form at Chelsea, Fernando Torres is already a forgotten man at Anfield as the Kop worship a new season. Luis Suarez shirts have been flying off the shelves ever since the Uruguayan hitman arrived at the club and wowed fans with his exciting range of skills and finishing prowess. His classy finish against Sunderland on Sunday underlined his quality and the potential he offers Liverpool.
Liverpool are still in need of more quality additions to their squad to supplement the undoubted quality of the likes of Steven Gerrard, Raul Merieles, Suarez and Andy Carroll. With new owners who have pledged to invest in the team and the feel good factor returning to the team with Dalglish, the summer certainly looks like being an exciting one for Liverpool supporters. But key to attracting players to the club is the lure of European football.
As things stand, not many would fancy Liverpool to catch Tottenham for fifth spot, with Harry Redknapp’s men sitting four points clear with a game in hand. However, the obvious distraction of Spurs Champions League quarter final with Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid could be the source that lets Liverpool creep in for an unlikely comeback.
Liverpool fans are certainly starting to believe. Sales of Liverpool football shirts complete with official football shirt printing have significantly increased since the arrival of Dalglish and victories over Chelsea, Manchester United and Sunderland have added to the confidence levels at Anfield. That setbacks will occur is undoubted, as the squad is still not deep or strong enough to show the level of consistency boss Dalglish would like.
But with Suarez in the form he is in and £35m striker Andy Carroll still to be fully integrated into the team, the signs are positive for Liverpool. It will be a tough ask to overhaul Spurs but with 24 points still to play for it is certainly a possibility.
Written by Eddie Smith, a sports writer who blogs about cheap football shirts.

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A struck of luck and Suarez’s magic

Luis Suarez crashed home a superb solo effort as Liverpool eased to a deserved 2-0 win at Sunderland on Sunday afternoon.

The Uruguay star capped a majestic all-round display with a stunning near-post finish on 77 minutes after Dirk Kuyt had put the Reds in control with a first-half penalty.

The victory means our hopes of securing European football for next season remain very much alive as Kenny Dalglish's men moved to within four points of fifth-placed Tottenham with eight matches left to play.

Ahead of the contest the Scot gave a signal of his intent by selecting what was arguably Liverpool's most-attacking line-up of the season.

Andy Carroll made his first full start in the Barclays Premier League while Suarez returned following his ineligibility in Europe.

It offered the Travelling Kop the first glimpse of a much-anticipated strike partnership and the Reds were further buoyed by the return from injury of Daniel Agger.

The team sheet certainly gave those who had made the trip to the north-east reason for optimism and that feeling would have intensified when the visitors went close on five minutes.

Kuyt saw his shot on the turn brilliantly blocked by the legs of Simon Mignolet before going even closer when he powered a free header over the crossbar from the resulting corner.

For their part the hosts had looked dangerous without truly threatening but on 17 minutes they almost stole ahead. Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck combined brilliantly down the left but the latter saw his superb cross flash right across the six yard box. [Read more…]

Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv

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Europa League: Liverpool knocked out of Europe

Liverpool's quest for silverware is over for another season following a goalless draw with Braga at Anfield on Thursday night.

The Reds could not overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Europa League last 16 encounter with The Arsenalists.

The result means a fifth-place finish in the Barclays Premier League is now likely to be required to secure participation in continental competition next term.

It should have been a night to remember for Pepe Reina on his 300^th appearance for the club and for Andy Carroll, who was deemed fit enough to start his first game since arriving for a record fee in the January transfer window.

It took him just eight minutes to earn nods of appreciation from the Kop with a towering header through to Joe Cole, whose angled shot was parried by Artur. Carroll attempted to steal his first Reds goal from the rebound only to see his shot deflected wide. Predictably, it was the 22-year-old who won the aerial battle from the resulting corner but this time his effort flashed wide of its own accord.

Braga took a while to settle but enjoyed the better chances as the half wore on. Last week's goalscorer Alan twice did well to carve space for a shot, while Lima powered towards goal only for his attempt to ricochet off Martin Skrtel to safety.

Liverpool had several shouts for a penalty denied - a handball and a shove on Lucas - but the visitors would have been aggrieved if either had been given. [Read more…]

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Liverpool owner dismissed contract offer to Dalglish

Liverpool owner John W Henry has revealed the club have not started contract discussions with Kenny Dalglish, but have set a date to discuss the Scot's future as manager.

The takeover of Liverpool Football Club by New England Sports Ventures has prompted a return to old ways at Anfield, with the club now making a sustained effort to conduct its business behind closed doors until any formal announcements can be made. Such demeanour was employed over the failed Charlie Adam approach in the January transfer window, and now a similar approach will be taken over the future of Dalglish.

A Kop idol from his previous years as player and manager, Dalglish has inspired a turnaround in fortunes since taking over from Roy Hodgson earlier in the season, leading Liverpool to sixth in the table.

Victories over Chelsea and Manchester United, produced largely without the aid of £35 million signing Andy Carroll, have provided hope for the future, while fellow new capture Luis Suarez is already looking like a shrewd purchase.

Liverpool's owners have always said they will take time to ensure they pick the best man to lead the club forward in the future, with Dalglish's current deal only keeping him in the manager's job until the end of the current campaign. Henry would not confirm if the Scot had done enough to earn a permanent contract and rejected claims that a deal had already been offered.

"The only discussion we've had has been with Kenny and that was solely concerning when we should begin discussions," Henry said in the Telegraph.

"I wouldn't anticipate any further comments until such discussions have commenced and we have something to announce. Any reports until then are purely speculation."

Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund, Porto's Andre Villas-Boas and Didier Deschamps of Marseille have all been linked as alternative options for the Anfield role.

Source: ESPN

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Europa League: SC Braga 1-0 Liverpool (1st leg)

Liverpool suffered their first European defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by Braga in the Europa League last 16, first-leg tie on Thursday night.

The home team got the only goal of the evening in Portugal on 18 minutes with Alan comfortably beating Pepe Reina from the penalty spot after Sotirios Kyrgiakos had brought down Mossoro in the area.

Liverpool struggled to muster a response and though Andy Carroll's introduction as an early second-half substitute did inject new life into their play, Braga were able to see out the contest to clinch the win.

The Reds departed John Lennon airport on Wednesday afternoon aiming to build upon Sunday's comprehensive 3-1 victory over Manchester United, knowing they would have to do so without the services of Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez.

The captain remained behind on Merseyside to have a groin injury assessed, and though Suarez did travel with the squad, his appearances for Ajax in the competition earlier this season ruled him out of action. [Read more…]

Sources: Video courtesy of FootyTube.com and match report from LiverpoolFC.tv

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Luis Suarez – The New Hero

The 31^st of January 2011 was an extremely busy day for Liverpool football club. The club had sold Fernando Torres to rivals Chelsea for a record-breaking £50 million, which upset many fans as they saw the departure of a world class striker as a major step down and that things might look bleak for the future. Fast-forward to March and things seem very different…
On the same day that Torres left the club, Liverpool purchased both Andy Carroll from Newcastle and Luis Suarez from Ajax, who cost roughly the same combined as Torres did. Andy Carroll made his debut on Sunday and will surely offer them something different up front and Torres has not made much of an impact at Chelsea so far. On the other hand, Luis Suarez has come into the Liverpool side and already looks like he will be a fantastic acquisition.
There seems to be a new lease of life for those wearing Liverpool football shirts at the moment. A lot of this is down to the return of Kenny Dalglish to the club, but Suarez has injected more energy and buzz about the time that has not been seen for quite some time.
The Dutch league is often criticised for having a poor standard as several players have come over from the Eredivise with a fantastic goal scoring record and have completely flopped in the English Premier League. Suarez’s goal record at Ajax was 81 goals in 110 games and although it doesn’t look like he will score anywhere near that amount in England, he can offer an awful lot more than putting the ball in the back of the net.
He might actually be the perfect partner for Andy Carroll and could end up with a great amount of assists at Liverpool. There’s no doubt that the Uruguayan forward can score goals, but I think he’ll be more useful playing the way he did against Manchester United on Sunday.
Suarez seems to be able to beat a man (or four) with ease at times and with energy levels that can match Steven Gerrard, it can only be a positive sign for things to come at Liverpool. It will be very interesting to see how his partnership develops with Andy Carroll over time, especially next season. Many wondered if Suarez and Carroll combined would be better than Fernando Torres for Liverpool, but it could turn out that Suarez on his own will do more for the club.
Written by Eddie Smith, a sports writer who blogs about replica football shirts.

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