After lurching from one crisis to another over the last few months Liverpool appear to have returned to some semblance of normality this week with two important wins for both their domestic and European aspirations.
Wins against Bolton and Napoli would be the bare minimum in previous seasons, but after the desperate run of results that had left the Reds locked in the Premier League basement, Steven Gerrard’s late hat-trick against the Italians and Maxi Rodriguez’s last gasp winner in the league put a more positive spin on Roy Hodgson’s start at Anfield.
On the blog front much has been made of Liverpool’s behind the scenes management changes. Roy Hodgson may claim to be comfortable with the continental approach reflected by Damien Comolli’s appointment as Director of Football, but what will this mean for the Reds in the long term? There is also analysis of the fallout from the end of the Hicks and Gillett era and Roy Hodgson’s bizarre spat with former manager Rafa Benitez.
We also cover the best of the web’s articles on the Anfield club.
Featured articles of the week
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The Premier League’s New Comic Strip #2
Spurs, Liverpool, United…whose need for Real Madrid swoop is greater?
Did Broughton miss a trick in safeguarding Liverpool’s future?
Should Liverpool fans look upon Comolli’s appointment with trepidation?
Controlled ruthlessness in football
An important FACT that is lost on most Premier League players
The FIVE ‘realistic’ transfer targets for Liverpool to ponder
Liverpool’s Stadium Dilemma
Will transfer deals meet expectations at Liverpool?
The ten most heated matches in England
Liverpool’s transfer policy could have a knock on effect
Ten things we have noticed from the Premier League this season
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Click here to see the Best LIVERPOOL BLOGS around the Web this week
Best of the Web
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Damien Comolli: A view from a Spurs fan – Live4Liverpool
Nice move NESV, Bad move Roy – Kopblog
Soto Kyrgiakos: Liverpool’s Unlikely Hero – This is Anfield
Red hails Young Starlet’s “Unbelievable Skills.” – Live4Liverpool
Tottenham striker Louis Saha has admitted that he is dreaming of being included in France’s Euro 2012 squad, and would relish a chance to play against England.
The veteran forward will have to fight of competition from Karim Benzema, Loic Remy, Oliver Giroud and Kevin Gameiro to make Laurent Blanc’s squad to go to Poland and Ukraine.
However, Saha believes that France have improved under the current coach, and that they can be competitive at the tournament.
“My dream is to get into the squad for the Euros. I am working hard and I know the choice is up to the coach but I will fight until the last moment,” he is reported to have said in Mirror Football.
“We have to believe we can beat England. We know we have to get a result. We know our squad is not inferior to England.
“The victory over Germany has given us great belief. Greece showed in 2004 what is possible at the Euros.
“We want to play at our best because we have a strong squad, and if Greece won in Portugal then we must be up for that challenge.
“We’ve got a young squad and we’re making a lot of progress.
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“The World Cup in 2014 could be our moment, but we shouldn’t discount this summer,” he admitted
FIFA have suspended Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner from all football-related activities after ruling they had a case to answer over bribery allegations.But allegations of corruption against FIFA president Sepp Blatter were dismissed at a news conference in Zurich by Namibian judge Petrus Damaseb – a FIFA ethics committee member.
FIFA also insisted they would press on with their planned presidential election on Wednesday, and claimed they would launch a full inquiry into the accusations.
Asian Football Confederation president Bin Hammam had been due to take on Blatter in the election, but he pulled out on Sunday.
Bin Hammam and CONCACAF president Warner, both members of FIFA’s executive committee, are alleged to have tried to bribe members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) to vote for Bin Hammam in the election.
Bin Hammam responded by claiming Blatter was aware of corruption within the organisation but failed to report it, which in itself is a breach of FIFA’s code of ethics.
“We are satisfied that there is a case to answer against (Bin Hammam and Warner),” Damaseb said.
“There is going to be a full inquiry.”
“No investigation against Blatter is warranted.”
“The committee is satisfied there is a case to answer, therefore a case will be held in due course where they will be expected to answer the charges against them.”
Despite the cloud of corruption surrounding the organisation, FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said he could see no reason to postpone the election.
“The allegation against Blatter has been cleaned by the committee,” Valcke said. “Why should we postpone the election?”
It was estimated the hearing into the bribery allegations against Bin Hammam and Warner will last for around 30 days.
Recently Arsenal FC posted record pre-tax profits of $88 million. In this current climate, you have to give it to the men upstairs at Arsenal. They’ve made a significant profit whilst one of their closest rivals, Liverpool have found themselves wedged in one of the biggest money related debacles in football history.
This said one thing that really stumps me as a neutral, is the air of content I get from the Arsenal fans who seem satisfied with their club even though they have not won a major trophy in 5 years. For me, supporting a club who proclaim to be a major player in world football being trophyless since 2005 would not sit well. Yet, the fans still turn up; I think I know why though.
There’s no doubt that Arsene’s men play attractive football. When on top of their game their technique, movement and quick inter changing passing is mesmerising. When all singing from the same hymn sheet I think it is fair to say that they are one, if not the best footballing side this country has to offer. Yet, the fans still turn up even though the trophy cabinet remains empty and collects dust as every trophyless day passes.
I’m then further stumped when I hear that Wenger believes he “would not be doing his job if Arsenal made a financial deficit.” Have the last 5 seasons without a trophy satisfied Wenger, Surely not! I am knowhere near reassured to then hear Wenger saying “I am quite proud that I work in a company that is in a strong financial situation. I have always worked in clubs which make money and I would not feel that I do my job well if we lost money at the end of the season.” Is success not the primary aim for a competing sports team?
Finally, my uncertainty is confirmed when I read an article from the back end of last season. Written and published by a respectable newspaper it states that “Arsene Wenger maintains Arsenal went beyond expectation, despite another season at the Emirates Stadium Which promised so much ending without silverware.” Since when did finishing third seem like something to write home about? Maybe Arsene Wenger and the fans are happy to be 2nd…sorry 3rd best.
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Perhaps Arsenal are just thinking that whilst the big three, Manchester United, Chelsea and currently Manchester City will splash the cash and play a dangerous game, they might just sit tight and trophies will follow. A dangerous game to play if you ask me.
Rio Ferdinand has spoken out about the race row incident with John Terry and the affect it has had on his family. The United centre half finds it hard to take that his brother has been on the end of abuse, especially as Anton has not brought any accusations to anyone.
Elsewhere in the news Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Chelsea will struggle to make the top four; Joe Jordan expresses sympathy for Andy Carroll, while Kenny Dalglish will provide Luis Suarez with all the support he needs.
Fabio Capello is confident that John Terry will not retire from International football and is hopeful the Chelsea centre half has a part to play in the Euros this summer – Observer
Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Chelsea have dropped out of the race and may struggle to get in the top four this season – Observer
Rio Ferdinand has spoken out at the nightmare he and his family have faced in the wake of the John Terry race row – Daily Telegraph
Andre Villas-Boas has suggested that Fernando Torres needs to show greater movement on the football pitch in order to give him a better chance of scoring – Daily Telegraph
Joe Hart has been pinpointed as a potential future captain for England after the Euros – Daily Telegraph
Joe Jordan has expressed sympathy for Andy Carroll and knows only too well the weight of expectation following a big money move – Daily Mail
Joey Barton has been probed by the Attorney General following controversial tweets about the John Terry affair – Daily Mail
Kenny Dalglish has revealed that Liverpool will help Luis Suarez cope with the potential haters that he can expect to face in the coming weeks of the Premier League season – Daily Mirror
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Steven Pienaar has warned Tottenham that they can expect more transfer interest for Luka Modric in the summer months – Daily Mirror
Newcastle United have targeted Nathaniel Clyne, as Danny Simpson continues to stall over a new contract at St James Park – Daily Star
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Everton can bolster their Europa League hopes for next season when they meet Champions League-bound Manchester City on Saturday.The Merseysiders, who recorded a 1-1 stalemate with relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic last Sunday, are ruing their typically slow start to the 2010/11 season, especially given they are only seven points from fifth – currently occupied by Liverpool – which carries a Europa League place.
David Moyes’ men – who have racked up 48 points so far – realise usurping Liverpool is unlikely, but have made clear their intentions to hold onto seventh place, and build on it next season.
England international defender Phil Jagielka is determined to make life hard for the Citizens, who are not yet fully guaranteed of Champions League action for next season.
“They’ve got Champions League football on their minds and we want to stay in seventh at the very least,” Jagielka told BBC Radio.
“There are points to play for. We’ve had a decent run against them especially away so it’ll be interesting to see how we get on at home.”
Jermaine Beckford, who has came into the side following Louis Saha’s untimely injury, has netted seven goals this term, and will provide the Toffees their attacking spark up front at Goodison Park.
Influential Australian Tim Cahill and silky Barcelona-trained midfielder Mikel Arteta returned to the starting 11 last week after recovering from respective injuries, and should provide much of the attacking impetus on Sunday.
Manchester City, meanwhile, are relishing the prospect of Champions League football next season, currently occupying fourth place on the table.
Boss Roberto Mancini has overseen a three-match winning streak – including a galvanising 1-0 FA Cup semi-final defeat of arch-rivals Manchester United.
But despite their 2-1 win over basement side West Ham, Mancini warned his troops their ticket to the Champions League was not yet assured.
“I think after what we have done, we deserve to be in the Champions League, but we have another four games – it is not finished,” he said.
City are seven points clear of their nearest rival, Liverpool, and will not want a repeat of the two sides’ clash in December when goals from Cahill and young gun Leighton Baines denied them victory.
And given they still have a potentially taxing FA Cup final encounter against Stoke a week later, they will be eager to consolidate their position with a win over Everton.
The game also represents the first time Joleon Lescott has returned to Goodison Park – and the first time he faces his former side since his big-money transfer to Eastlands in 2009.
The Italian Football FanCast is the podcast for fans of Serie A and Calcio.
The Azzurri were in action against The Faroe Islands in midweek and put in a good performance as they dismantled the minnows 5-0, thanks to a superlative display from Antonio Cassano. The result means a perfect start for Cesare Prandelli’s men in their quest for Euro 2012 qualification.
Elsewhere, AC Milan have moved ahead of rivals Inter in the wage bill stakes but the champions are looking to get one over on them by signing a former Milan idol. AS Roma may also have a new owner soon, plus find out about all the latest transfer news from in and around the peninsula.
As Ever we are joined by Kris Voakes and Dave is back with Legends of Calcio, who this week is the mercurial Michael Laudrup.
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Manchester City are reportedly on the verge of sowing up a dealing to bring Israeli youngster Nir Biton to the Etihad Stadium.
The 20-year-old, who currently plays for FC Ashdod and has made two appearances for the senior Israel team, was on a week trial a fortnight ago and supposedly impressed Roberto Mancini.
The Daily Mail indicate that the current Premier League leaders are close to finalising a loan deal for the midfielder, with a £2million transfer in the pipeline for the summer.
The player’s agent Dudu Dahan has revealed that a deal is close to being completed, and that he is working to secure his client a reprieve from national service to move to England.
“I have spoken to the Army’s top personnel, and that is almost solved. City say they can get a work permit for Nir as well, as there is a special category for outstanding prospects like him. I have been speaking with Mancini every day, since the trial, so how can I not be optimistic the transfer will be completed?” he admitted.
With Yaya Toure on international duty with the Ivory Coast, City could well use an extra player in contention for a midfield berth.
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When I decided to choose my own Premiership Team of the Year, I thought it would be a breeze. I’ll be done in 20 minutes. Three days and two migraines later, I realised how difficult it is. I watch a lot of football, too much- but there are still many teams that I haven’t seen quite enough of to give a definitive judgement. But eventually I got there, though if you ask me tomorrow I’ll have changed half the team. I have tried to be totally unbiased, and have also considered all performances for their club team, not just Premier League games. I also was boring and went for a conventional 4-4-2, whilst shoehorning players randomly into midfield, perhaps picking more of a team of the top performers rather than a team that would work the best together. A little artistic licence should always be allowed.
Goalkeeper: Edwin Van Der Sar.
Seems to be having his best season in his final season. Admittedly not the most overworked keeper in the division, but a season of few mistakes and some crucuial saves sees him get the nod. One of a number of big holes that Alex Ferguson will soon have to fill.
Left Back: Leighton Baines.
An underwhelming season for some of the big-name left backs. Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra have hardly set the world alight, also making plenty of headlines off the field for all the wrong reasons. Baines though has been a model of consistency in a team that had a difficult season, and has shown himself to be a great crosser of the ball, and all-round striker of the ball. Inevitably will be linked to other clubs over the summer having notched 11 assists so far this season. Newcastle fans might argue Jose Enrique is even better though.
Central Defence: Vincent Kompany.
Mark Hughes had his uses. Bought from Hamburg for a mere £6m in 2008, he should be on all shortlists for player of the year. Hampered slightly by injury last season, he has come of age this season, and should be an integral part of what could be a very exciting Belgian national team over the next decade or so.A cool, calm, collected and classy defender, surely a future Manchester City captain, and a great ambassador for the club off the pitch too.
Central Defence: Nemanja Vidic.
Once more a rock in the centre of defence for Manchester United, an even more vital cog now that Rio Ferdinand’s back is slowly getting the better of him. Tough and uncomprimising, with the added ability to get away with fouls, a bonus for any manager! You know the rest….
Right Back: Bacary Sagna.
No outstanding candidates that I could think of in this position. Was tempted to plump for a rejuvinated Stephen Carr, but not seen quite enough of him to be sure. Arsenal’s defence is regularly criticised, but the blame surely lies more centrally, and they haven’t conceded quite as many as some might think. Solid season, gets up and down the pitch, compliments the midfield and attack well, athletic, not done much wrong from what I have seen.
Continued on Page TWO
Midfield: Samir Nasri
Great season undoubtedly, having muscled up to cope with the strains of the Premier League. Some great goals, great link up play, a classy player that fits in perfectly with the Arsenal ethos. However I have read a few Arsenal fans question his effectiveness against the top teams, and he has faded a little recently along with the rest of the team. Great goal against Spurs though, and at his age a great career awaits.
Midfielder: Luka Modric
The true star of the Spurs midfield. Forget Bale’s one league assist or Van De Vaart’s explosive three-month spell, the biggest talent in the Spurs midfield is Modric right now. Brilliant control of a football, great passer, the type of footballer like David Silva that you’d pay good money to watch. Van de Vaart and Bale produced a total of 3 goals and 2 assists between them from January until mid-April in 2011, so they miss out.
Midfielder: Scott Parker
Sean Custis at The Sun thinks Parker has stood out this season because of the dross around him. But surely it is harder to perform when surrounded by poorer players? A stand out season, England recognition once more at long last, he has dragged the West Ham team forward through many matches, though it may well be to no avail. The Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
Midfielder: Nani
With a heavy heart I include Nani. Without a trace of bias, everything I hate about modern footballers is encapsulated in this man. Infuriates his own fans much of the time, but has undoubtedly had his best season, bringing a greater influence to proceedings on the pitch, with some great long range strikes, dribbling and ball control, and his 18 assists and 10 league goals cannot be ignored.
Continued on Page THREE
Forward: Carlos Tevez
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One of the easier choices. By his high standards has been off the boil recently before hit by injury, but his influence on the Manchester City team cannot be underestimated, City often over-reliant on him, focusing play around the Argentinian. Second highest Premier League scorer, he is selfish like most top strikers, but obviously knows where the goal is, and is a phenomenal workhorse, always giving his all on the pitch whatever may be happening off it. Will be hard to replace if, as expected, he leaves City in the summer.
Forward: Peter Odenwingie
The first thought for the final berth was Javier Hernandez, a scoring machine who has settled instantly in the Manchester sunshine. But is Odemwingie’s achievement not better? Crucial to securing Premiership football for the Baggies next season, 13 league goals in a promoted team is a wonderful achievement. Born in Uzbekistan, but a Nigerian international, a bargain buy for just £1m, he has had a successful debut season, scoring some crucual winners, and his goal against Spurs this week made him West Brom’s top goalscorer in a single Premier League season (the game was still played at an amateur level before 1992).
So there it is. I already doubt three of the choices. No, four. What of those that just missed out? Hernandez and Carr have been mentioned. A full season for Hernandez would undoubtedly have seen him in. No Chelsea players either, possibly a big oversight as much of their defence could have a case for inclusion. Sub keeper would be Wigan’s stopper Ali Al-Habsi, or an ever-improving and maturing Joe Hart. Injury once more hampered Van Persie. Berbatov as top Premier League goalscorer looks like a glaring omission, but he has scored only 4 goals in the league away from Old Trafford, scores in clumps (flat-track bully sometimes?), and even his manager seems to distrust him now. Jack Wilshere has a wonderful career ahead but I think he has been slightly overhyped for now. Ditto for Gareth Bale. He hasn’t performed every week, and is remembered for a couple of world-beating performances rather than overall consistency – the world is his oyster though, and all that. Van De Vaart’s energy fades during matches, and faded this year a bit too. You could still argue for his inclusion though. David Silva could easily replace Modric – I expect even more from him next season, plus a few more goals, once he has adjusted to English weather. I already love him though. De Jong should really be in there, and would have been in a 4-5-1 formation. Forget Kompany, Tevez, or Silva. De Jong is City’s most important player. He makes the team tick, and protects the defence as if his life depends on it. With him on the pitch City have conceded every 117 minutes, With him off it, every 63 minutes.
Kevin Nolan misses out for his chicken celebration, Joey Barton because he is Joey Barton, Andy Carroll wasn’t far off, nor Gary Cahill, Robert Huth (for goalscoring alone!) and maybe Charlie Adam too, though the January transfer window shenanigans seem to have done him no favours.
Either way, it is an impossible team to decide definitively. Football is not that simple, and picking teams certainly isn’t. Still, at least the migraine has gone now.
Fulham have been dealt a massive blow following news that striker Bobby Zamora will be out of action for up to 5 months due to a broken leg suffered in last weekend’s 2-1 victory over Wolves. Further tests have revealed that Zamora has sustained ankle ligament damage along with a broken fibula. Doctors have performed surgery on Zamora’s injured leg and he looks set for lengthy spell in the Fulham treatment room.
The news comes as a blow to both player and team. Zamora was a key player for Fulham last season, scoring 19 goals for the Cottagers in all competitions in their run to the Europa League final. He had just won his first England cap only last month in a friendly victory against Hungary and looked a certainty to be called up for Fabio Capello’s next England squad to face Montenegro in October.
Zamora’s absence leaves Fulham boss Mark Hughes will limited options upfront. Andy Johnson has been a long-term absentee for Fulham and is still a few weeks from full fitness and Hughes will not rush the return of Johnson to compensate for Zamora’s loss.
This means Hughes will have to rely on new signing Moussa Dembele to lead Fulham’s line. He has made an impressive start to his first season in the Premier League and Hughes will be calling on the Belgian to continue his good form in the coming weeks.
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