Liverpool FC

[Anathematic]

Originally Posted by ryan07903

I would like to think that Rafa must have a half decent replacement in line if he plans on Xabi leaving. I have no idea about Inler and that other lad unless I start my FM career back up(I've bought Inler a couple times but never seen him in a match.)

I'm pretty confident Masch will stay and it seems the speculation has come from his lalalalaty contract, which hopefully will be sorted. Masch alongside any half decent passer shoudn't hurt us too much if Rafa has a good attacker in place.

Man U won the league with a midfield which included Anderson and an aging Scholes.

I can't see many out there who could replace Xabi at the moment. He plays a double role for you guys of defensive midfielder and playmaker and that's a rare ability to have.

And that United midfield also had Carrick, Giggs and most importantly, Ronaldo who basically won the whole thing on his own...

[Anathematic]

Originally Posted by ryan07903

Some idiot came on saying "If you think Capello can lead England to the world cup put [My sig] in your signature."

Classic

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by 7_Robert_Pires

I can't see many out there who could replace Xabi at the moment. He plays a double role for you guys of defensive midfielder and playmaker and that's a rare ability to have.

And that United midfield also had Carrick, Giggs and most importantly, Ronaldo who basically won the whole thing on his own...

Giggs isn't getting younger and surely can't carry on much longer. Ronaldo has obviously gone.

I don't mean a direct replacement, just someone who can spray the ball about quite well. Masch will have to double his workload. Although Xabi isn't the fastest and never really chased anyone about so Masch might not have to.

I just don't want to be too pessimistic.

Originally Posted by 7_Robert_Pires

Classic

England 6-0 Andorra

[Ryan]

Atletico Madrid will allow Luis Garcia to leave on a free transfer, should he find a club to match his ambitions.

According to AS, Atleti are keen to get Luis Garcia off their wage bill, as he currently earns around €3 million per season. Ever since moving to the Vicente Calderon, Garcia has never quite cemented a starting place, making just 47 league appearances over two seasons.

Now, there is considerable interest in Garcia from the Premier League, namely Fulham, West Brom and Blackburn, but there are doubts as to whether those clubs will be willing to match his wages.

However, Dinamo Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg are more than willing to offer Luis Garcia a similar deal, but he is seemingly reluctant to move to Russia at this stage in his careeer.

Atletico Madrid are keen to resolve the situation before July 11, when their pre-season training begins.

Please Rafa. Just for me!

[D-Smith-LFC]

Originally Posted by ryan07903

This is the reported conversation from the initial Xabi negotiations.



There's no newspaper links but this was posted on a few Liverpool forums. It's stuff like this that makes me so happy to have Rafa in charge. We no longer have players running down their contracts and us ending up being lalalalaed over.

Rafa has dealt with Agger where as in the past he may have gone on the cheap or gone on a free. One of our star players looks to be leaving and we on to receiving a record transfer.

P.S That supposedly happened in June some time.

How true do you think that is? If it's true is right Rafa.

[nzgangster]

alonso wont go.

he would of moved by now if he was...

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by D-Smith-LFC

How true do you think that is? If it's true is right Rafa.

Haven't got a clue. I hope it's true and read somewhere that Valdano was doing the negotiating and Rafa doesn't get along with him from the days Rafa worked at Madrid. Would love it if it is true.

Originally Posted by nzgangster

alonso wont go.

he would of moved by now if he was...

It's apparantly because Sociedad have a sell-on clause of 20% which runs out in the middle of this month. Madrid know we won't accept an offer if 20% of the fee goes missing.

[nzgangster]

Originally Posted by ryan07903

Haven't got a clue. I hope it's true and read somewhere that Valdano was doing the negotiating and Rafa doesn't get along with him from the days Rafa worked at Madrid. Would love it if it is true.



It's apparantly because Sociedad have a sell-on clause of 20% which runs out in the middle of this month. Madrid know we won't accept an offer if 20% of the fee goes missing.

i didnt know about that last part

then i hope Madrid back off.

---------------- Now playing: The Black Eyed Peas - Simple Little Melody via FoxyTunes

[Anima Flux]

Originally Posted by Liverpöol

I'm going out on a limb here and saying that he passes better then Gerrard

Originally Posted by D-Smith-LFC

No chance. Imo

I think Alonso has the superior range, though when it comes to playing the ball on the ground through to the striker, Gerrard takes it. Depends which way you want to look at it when you argue who is the better passer.

[Liverpöol]

some of his passes are 50 yards and to feet. Amazing stuff. Though Sir Steve is the better all round player

[AnfieldG8]

Xabi is the better passer but Stevie can hit them harder and maybe is a bit more creative.

[nzgangster]

Michael Owen Would Have Taken Huge Pay Cut To Rejoin Liverpool – Report - Goal.com

Michael Owen Would Have Taken Huge Pay Cut To Rejoin Liverpool – Report

A tabloid report claims the striker was hopeful of a move back to Anfield before signing a deal at Old Trafford.

5 Jul 2009 07:50:35

Michael Owen at Parkway Hospital - Manchester United (PA)

5 Jul 2009 07:50:35

Prior to signing for Manchester United, Michael Owen was reportedly desperate to rejoin Liverpool and would have agreed to return to Anfield for as little as £25,000 a week, claims the News of the World.

The British tabloid reports that even whilst in talks with the English champions, Owen was hopeful of a move back to Merseyside, but was denied by manager Rafael Benitez.

Despite insisting he would accept a huge pay cut to return to the Reds, the striker was refused his dream move with Benitez seemingly unwilling to take a gamble on the 29-year-old.

The Liverpool boss reportedly had too many doubts over the player’s form and fitness to bring him back to Anfield, despite Owen being available on a free transfer and owner George Gillett also being keen on the deal.

The report also goes on to reveal that the Spaniard was concerned he might upset the club’s fans with a move for Owen, particularly as they remain unimpressed with the striker’s decision to leave the club for Real Madrid in 2004.

The former Newcastle United man also reportedly delayed travelling to Carrington for his United medical, in the hope that a move to Liverpool might appear.

However, the Reds were not interested, leaving the way clear for their bitter rivals to complete one of the most surprising transfers in recent years.

Gill Clark, Goal.com

[kyro7]

No doubt if he went to Liverpool the fans would have said, oh he is great, especially on a free transfer.

[nzgangster]

i would of been happy with him coming back even if he left to liverpool.

[Liverpöol]

He's just trying to get his reputation at Liverpool back a little bit...

[Dan]

Originally Posted by kyro7

No doubt if he went to Liverpool the fans would have said, oh he is great, especially on a free transfer.

Probably yeah.. And we've said the same since he joined you..

We're just lalalalaed that he's joined our biggest rivals after all we have done..

Rafa didn't want him, and I stand by what he does, I don't think he's as good as he was, and would be nothing more than a back-up, and he'll probably have complained about it..

[kyro7]

Originally Posted by Danthomas2005

Probably yeah.. And we've said the same since he joined you..

We're just lalalalaed that he's joined our biggest rivals after all we have done..

Rafa didn't want him, and I stand by what he does, I don't think he's as good as he was, and would be nothing more than a back-up, and he'll probably have complained about it..

To be honest, I can understand that, if Beckham went to Liverpool I would be so lalalalaed off it would be unreal, one time one of my favourite players.. would be mad.

[Nino]

Xabi best passer in the league end of story

[kyro7]

Originally Posted by Nino

Xabi best passer in the league end of story

I'll join you with some of that coffee

[Nando]

haha lol. That's what we mean, I mean if like Maldini left AC Milan for Inter or something, or Patrick Viera moving to Spurs

[jammakane10]

ive said all along i would hate it if we had the traitorous **** back at liverpool. if anyone doesnt believe me, they can trawl through my posts to find them.

cant believe the bull**** being reported about mascher, it makes no sense at all. apparently he fell out with rafa at the end of last season, despite the fact that at the end of last season him saying hes looking forward to next year, and saying that we have a very strong team.

im 50/50 about alonso, but im 99/1 about mascher leaving, im pretty sure it wont happen.

also, i didnt know sell-on clauses had expiry dates, wouldnt be shocked if this was a stunt pulled by the media to explain why madrid havent bid for him yet

[Fraz]

Originally Posted by 7_Robert_Pires

I can't see many out there who could replace Xabi at the moment. He plays a double role for you guys of defensive midfielder and playmaker and that's a rare ability to have.

And that United midfield also had Carrick, Giggs and most importantly, Ronaldo who basically won the whole thing on his own...

Benayoun, he has inmproved so much since last season

[jammakane10]

Originally Posted by fraz100

Benayoun, he has inmproved so much since last season

he cant play the defensive role, im sure of that.

if alonso does leave im 100% sure rafa has a great replacement in line, i would be happy if inler came in, he has talent. he has a decent tackle, but his strengh is in his passing, alot like alonso really. d'agostina is older, but has a beautiful pass. IMO hes a poor mans pirlo.

i would prefer de rossi though, as people have said above.

[Dan]

Heard a lot about a young Javi Martinez becoming the next Alonso.. Might be worth a punt to be honest..

[nzgangster]

http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/07/05/1364547/pepe-reina-slams-barry-and-tevez-for-not-joining-liverpool

Pepe Reina Slams Barry And Tevez For Not Joining Liverpool

There are more important things that money, insists the Spanish international...

5 Jul 2009 08:26:25

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has reportedly hit out at Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez for their decisions not to move to Anfield.

Former Aston Villa skipper Barry was a long-term transfer target for the Reds but spurned their advances to sign for Manchester City earlier this summer.

Meanwhile, Tevez was also linked with a move to Merseyside but now appears on the brink of following Barry to Eastlands.

However, speaking to the News of the World the Spanish international has slammed the pair, claiming they moved only for money and that he is surprised by their decision to turn down Rafael Benitez’s side.

“Apparently, they moved for the money. That is their decision but I also think it is their problem if they cannot see that Liverpool is a bigger club,” said the 'keeper.

“It's up to them what they do but let me tell them that I am very proud to play for Liverpool. We can offer European football and I think that should have been a consideration for them.

“Everybody knows what it is to play for Liverpool. It's a pleasure and a tremendous honour. I am surprised they didn't consider these things.

"Some things in a player's career should be more important than money.”

Reina also claimed his side could go one better that last season and win the Premier League title.

“At Liverpool, you have to be fighting for the title and that's what we will be doing this year,” he added.

“We are involved in four competitions and just targeting one of them is not enough. The big one of the Premier League would definitely be best.”

Gill Clark, Goal.com
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Report: Real Madrid To End Pursuit For Liverpool Star Xabi Alonso - Goal.com

Report: Real Madrid To End Pursuit For Liverpool Star Xabi Alonso

Los Merengues are refusing to meet the Reds' asking price, which could spell the end of the deal...

Xabi Alonso, Liverpool.

5 Jul 2009 06:32:18

Not for the first time this summer, Real Madrid look set to give up in their chase for a player, namely Xabi Alonso.

According to Sport, Los Merengues are unwilling to pay the €50 million that Liverpool are demanding for the midfielder. Though money is seemingly in plentiful supply at the Bernabeu, Florentino Perez refuses to pay over the odds for any player.

Madrid are willing to go as high as €35m, but Liverpool have made it clear that they will not budge from their asking price.

In recent times, Alonso has been non-comittal about his future, refusing to rule out a move to Real. It remains to be seen whether he will be content to stay content at Anfield, should Los Merengues indeed end their interest.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com



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