Friday, July 29, 2011
Pre-season: Galatasaray 3-0 Liverpool
The ex-Reds forward netted a brace in a dominant first-half display by the hosts at the boisterous Turk Telekom Arena.
First, Baros hooked a volley beyond Alexander Doni to break the deadlock on eight minutes before converting with a close-range header just before half-time.
Liverpool posed more of a threat in a much improved second-half display, though they were unable to breach the Galatasaray rearguard and Johan Elmander's late volley ensured the Turkish side claimed victory.
Kenny Dalglish named a youthful-looking squad for Liverpool's journey to Turkey, and the starting XI contained the likes of John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, and Martin Kelly.
There was a more experienced feel to the attack, though, with Andy Carroll partnered by Joe Cole, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos captained the side.
New signings Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson remained on Merseyside ahead of Monday's trip to Norway.
Meanwhile, a few familiar faces in Galatasaray's team selection, not least one of the Reds' many heroes from that epic night at the Ataturk Stadium in 2005, Baros.
The Turk Telekom Arena may have only opened in January, but it already has a place in the Guinness Book of World records for generating the loudest crowd noise at a sports stadium - and that was certainly in evidence as a wall of noise greeted the opening exchanges.
The decibel levels certainly seemed to have the desired impact upon Galatasaray, and they should have taken the lead just 30 seconds in, but Baros stabbed wide when released into space inside the area.
Moments later, Arda Turan looped a header narrowly wide of Alexander Doni's far post as the hosts looked to seize immediate control of the contest.
Gala's early pressure paid dividends on eight minutes, however, as Baros broke the deadlock against his former employers, hooking in a low right-wing cross from 12 yards to capitalise on some slack marking inside the box.
The best Liverpool could muster in response in the opening exchanges was a wayward Carroll effort from distance as the Turkish side maintained their early tempo.
As the half-hour mark loomed, Selcuk Inan's audacious chip from the edge of the box did little to trouble Doni, while at the other end Jonjo Shelvey's in swinging free-kick only just evaded both Carroll and Kyrgiakos in the centre.
Back came Galatasaray and Baros saw a powerful downward header parried away by Doni before Inan's follow up was deflected behind by Martin Kelly.
Liverpool's No.34 spurned a gilt-edged chance on 36 minutes when he turned Kyrgiakos's knockdown wide when inside the six-yard box when free, though the linesman's flag was raised for an infringement, before Doni pushed Turan's low drive around the base of the post.
And Galatasaray's lead was extended four minutes before the break when a near-post flick at a corner for the home side found Baros in space at the back post, and the Czech forward made no mistake with his close-range header.
Shelvey lofted a shot wide in first-half stoppage time, but after an opening 45 minutes dominated by the home side, the half-time whistle would provide the Reds with a chance to regroup.
Dalglish opted to introduce Dirk Kuyt and Alberto Aquilani into the equation during the interval, as well as Brad Jones, and there were signs of an improved showing in the early stages of the second period as Carroll saw a header parried by substitute Ufuk Ceylan.
The introduction of Kuyt and Aquilani helped Liverpool take the game by the scruff of the neck, and the pair combined brilliantly only to see the latter's effort thwarted by a fine save by Gala's goalkeeper.
Liverpool continued to probe, with Gala struggling to replicate the intensity of their first-half performance.
With time ticking away, Ceylan blocked another aerial attempt from Carroll but Galatasaray made sure of victory when former Bolton striker Elmander netted with a stunning volley from the edge of the box.
By: James Carroll
Source: Liverpool FC Official
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Liverpool midfielder set for Anfield exit after all
After months of speculation, Liverpool FC has finally agreed on the proposal given by Fiorentina for Alberto Aquilani.
According to the Echo, talks are ongoing after the Serie A outfit stepped up their pursuit of the Italy international.
Fiorentina want to take Aquilani on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent transfer.
Reports in Italy suggest they will pay the Reds a loan fee of £900,000 with the option to buy him for £9million next summer.
Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia said: “The agreement between Fiorentina and Alberto has not yet been reached.
“If we talk about an agreement, that was only reached between the two clubs, because Fiorentina have not come to any decision.”
Aquilani, who cost £17million from Roma in 2009, spent last season on loan at Juventus. They had the option to buy him for £14m at the end of the campaign but turned it down.
The 27-year-old is surplus to requirements at Anfield following the signings of midfield trio Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Source: Liverpool Echo
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Rumour Mill: Liverpool Long for a backup striker
Liverpool have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with manager Kenny Dalglish wheeling and dealing with the best of them. The Reds have landed a midfield troika in Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing, as well as bolstering their goalkeeping corps with Alexander Doni.
But, the Reds' boss isn't done buying yet. Dalglish is still hunting for depth at the front of his attack as well as at left-back, and has been linked to a number of promising young strikers in recent weeks.
Most recently Anfield was linked to a potential deal to get Reading starlet Shane Long, as Dalglish hunts for his third striker behind Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.
Read more: Bleacher Report
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
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£65,000-a-week has hinder Liverpool midfielder exit
Milan Jovanovic's agent is confident the Liverpool player will soon come to an agreement with Anderlecht.
Jovanovic, who signed on a free transfer from Standard Liege a year ago, has already held talks with Anderlecht but the Belgian side cannot match the reported £65,000-a-week he is on at Liverpool.
There has also been interest from teams in the Middle East but Jovanovic would prefer to remain in Europe in order to maintain his international career with Serbia.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Source: ESPNStar
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Video: Former Liverpool defender believes Dalglish will bring back the glory days
Former Liverpool defender explains what Kenny Dalglish was like as a manager, predicts where Liverpool will finish this season, and slates Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's transfer policy.
Mark Lawrenson was talking about the forthcoming season at the Kinect Sports Xbox 360 football event at the Sports Cafe London.
Source: talkSPORT, talkSPORTmagazine
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Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Liverpool demand £6M for striker
Liverpool striker David Ngog has jumped to the top of Owen Coyle's wanted list after the Bolton boss ditched moves for Daniel Sturridge and Jeffren.
Coyle is hoping to sign Ngog for around £3million despite being offered the Frenchman for £6million last year.
The French striker was close to joining Sunderland earlier this summer when Liverpool tried to use the forward as a makeweight in the deal for midfielder Jordan Henderson.
The 22-year-old did not want to be any part of that deal and subsequently stayed with the Reds and has been impressing during pre-season. While Ngog scored when handed the chance to impression the US tour, it appears he could still leave Anfield this season.
Ngog has appeared for the Reds of 94 occasions and scored 19 goals in all competitions.
A move to Bolton could be on the cards but Coyle is going to have to dig a little deeper to get his man.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Source: Liverpool FC Official, Daily Mail
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Monday, July 25, 2011
Fulham want Liverpool midfielder
Fulham boss Martin Jol has made a £1.5m approach for Liverpool midfielder Christian Poulsen, according to reports.
Jol signed Czech under-21 star Marcel Gecov last week but remains keen on bolstering his squad ahead of the new season and speculation suggests that Poulsen is one of his targets.
Liverpool appear ready to sell Poulsen but the transfer fee could be the sticking point with Fulham's Premier League rivals likely to want to recoup the majority of the £5 million fee they paid for him last summer.
This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.
Source: Liverpool FC Official, Setanta.com
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