LFC Daily Update News & Rumours

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Sinama will never be a regular player at Liverpool so what's best for his career is to find himself a new club where he can play every week.Recreativo seems to be a club who have faith in him.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Young Reds halfway to the final

Liverpool under-18s are halfway to the Youth Cup final after an action-packed first-leg victory over Newcastle United at St James's Park on Saturday.

The holders, who beat Man City in last year's dramatic final, travel back to Merseyside with a 4-2 semi-final lead thanks to goals from Ryan Flynn, Charlie Barnett and Craig Lindfield.

Steve Heighway's side know from experience not to take anything for granted, but they'll go into the second leg at Anfield a week on Monday as favourites to face either Manchester United or Arsenal in the final.

The visitors stated their intentions from the off, dominating the opening exchanges and creating the first chance almost before the watching Peter Beardsley had taken his seat. Unfortunately 16-year-old Swede Astrit Ajdarevic was unable to direct a six-yard header under the bar. Still, it boded well.

Minutes later Magpies keeper Mark Cook was forced into a decent save when a Jimmy Ryan cross from the right swerved towards his top corner.

Shortly after a whipped in cross by Jimmy Ryan was met by the head of Craig Lindfield. This time the ball hit the hoardings.

Anyone who watched Newcastle's midweek UEFA Cup tie with Az Alkmaar wouldn't have anticipated any sort of crowd for a Youth Cup tie, but a good few thousand Geordies came out to support their boys on this Saturday lunchtime.

They had to wait almost 20 minutes for their side's first shot on goal, Kazenga Lualua drilling a 20-yard shot well wide. Newcastle officials were unable to confirm what relation he was to Lomana, but his cousin/brother/uncle would not have been proud.

Whatever, on 24 minutes Charlie Barnett gave him a shooting lesson when he crashed a stunning 30-yard drive into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net. The young Reds have scored some cracking goals en route to the semis - this was up there with the best.

One nil down and struggling to carve out any real chances, the hosts were reduced to long shots from the lively Lualua.

Whenever they did threaten during the first half, Burns, Spearing, Threlfall and Darby were on hand to clear away the danger. Behind them, Danish keeper Martin Hansen punched, caught and commanded with a composure which belied his 16 years.

Mind, he nearly came a cropper when a Stephen Darby back-header floated feet above his head. Luckily it bounced narrowly wide.

Liverpool's second came five minutes before the break when hot prospect Ajdarevic chipped a lovely through-ball to Lindfield, whose goal owed as much to the intelligence of his run as the coolness of his finish.

The Youth Cup veteran used all his experience to evade the offside trap and get himself one-on-one, then slotted neatly into the bottom left-hand corner of Cook's net.

The second half began more promisingly for the hosts, who nearly pulled one back just after the restart when Lualua burst through the Red defence. Hansen's save rolled dangerously through the box but Ryan Donaldson hit wide in front of an open goal.

However, 15 minutes into the half Liverpool, without the suspended Ray Putterill, got their third. It came when Cook parried a Charlie Barnett stinger from the D and Ryan Flynn tucked home from two yards.

To their credit Newcastle didn't let their heads drop and pulled one back almost immediately when Andy Carroll nodded a high free-kick beyond the oncoming Hansen. Game back on.

And what a game it was turning out to be. On 68 minutes the Reds made it four thanks to a defensive lapse which put Ryan Flynn through on goal. Cook knew what was coming next but was lame to respond to a fine lob which bounced satisfyingly into the hosts' net.

The holders' cup campaign has attracted ever-increasing numbers of journalists as the rounds have progressed, and the hacks had barely added a full-stop to Liverpool's fourth when the plucky Newcastle boys pulled another back.

There was a hint of an own goal when a curling free-kick was diverted into Hansen's net, but the stadium announcer credited striker Andy Carroll and no one in the Liverpool dressing room will complain at that.

Liverpool under-18s: Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing (capt), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Nathan Eccleston, Astrit Ajdarevic.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Godwin Antwi have gone to Accrington Stanley on one month loan, the same club David Martin also have been loan out to.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

PSV's defender Alex will not be able to play for 6 weeks after picking up an injury.That means he will not play against Liverpool in the CL quarter final.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Luton have signed Liverpool youngster Besian Idrizaj on loan.Idrizaj is set to go straight into the squad for Saturday's clash with Ipswich.

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Mackay Steven on his way to Liverpool

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Scottish youngster Gary Mackay Steven.

The Ross County starlet has signed a pre-contract with the English titans and will arrive at Anfield this summer.

It is believed Liverpool have agreed a six-figure sum with Ross County as way of compensation for Mackay Steven.

The 17-year-old had a trial at Bolton recently, but Liverpool have stolen a march on their rivals by luring the teenager to Merseyside.

A Ross County statement read: "Gary will head for the Anfield club's prestigious academy at the end of the English season.

"We look forward to seeing him light up the Premiership in the coming years."

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Hull have signed Liverpool's Lee Peltier (20) on loan until the end of the season.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Some rumous tells that Barcelona is preparing a bid for Xabi Alonso to summer.

Alonso: Barca close to my heart

Xabi Alonso admits admirers Barcelona are a club very close to his heart, but the Spaniard is adamant he is focused on Liverpool's current campaign.

Barcelona are reportedly in the running for Alonso, with claims they will test the Premiership side's resolve with a bid this summer.

Rafa Benitez has held contract talks with the influential star, although any decision on the player's future has been put on hold until the end of the season.

That scenario has only added heightened speculation but Alonso claims he is not unsettled and will only decide on his own future once The Reds' end-of-season fate is known.

"The rumours about my return to Spain are going on all the time. My situation is clear, if any club want me then it is obligatory for them to speak with Liverpool," Alonso is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"Now in my head I only have a place for The Reds. We are at a key moment in the season and I do not want any distraction.

"Liverpool have presented me with a new deal but until the end of the season I do not have an answer for them.

"Barcelona is a city very important to me and the club is also important to my father [former Barca player Perico Alonso], but in the world of football you cannot always make a decision with your heart."

Source: Skysports

We may lose Alonso to summer I'm afraid.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool on £10m striker alert

Liverpool have been sounded out over a potential £10m move for world superstar David Trezeguet.

Agents acting for the World Cup winner have reportedly offered Trezeguet to Liverpool.

But Rafa Benitez would have to dig deep for the French international hitman.

Trezeguet is under contract with Italian giants Juventus, who may consider cashing in on the unsettled hitman if the bidding reaches £10m.

La Liga duo Valencia and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested in the prolific striker.

Source: Football News, Views And Opinions

[Trim]

Now that would be a good buy.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

We really need a striker like Trezeguet.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Gerrard in line for top book award

Steven Gerrard is in the running for another award but this time it's not down to his skills as a footballer.

The Liverpool captain's autobiography has been nominated in the Sports Book of the Year category of the Galaxy British Book Awards.

'Gerrard: My Autobiography' has proved a best-seller since being published in September last year and easily outsold those penned by England team-mates Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

The awards ceremony will be broadcast by Channel 4 on Friday 30 March at 8pm.

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Reds confirm capture of young scot

Ross County midfielder Gary Mackay Steven will join Liverpool's Academy when the transfer window reopens this summer.

The Reds have signed a pre-contract agreement to capture the services of the highly promising young Scot.

The 17-year old from Thurso is yet to play for the Highland club's first team but impressed during a recent trial spell on Merseyside.

He helped County win the under-19 title in Scotland this year and has been capped by his country at youth level.

A spokesperson for the Scottish First Division side said: "We look forward to seeing him light up the Premiership in the coming years.

"Gary has always been willing to put in the hard work and training to go alongside his exceptional natural skill."

Source: Liverpoolfc.tv: Official Web Site

[Tom Andre]

I'm afraid Alonso will go back to Spain.If he have his heart in Barcelona, of course he make a switch if they want to sign him.Who can turn down a offer from Barcelona?I predict he will buy himself out of Anfield.