terry mac

Fresh Gerrard doubts as contract talks stall Jul 4 2005 By Richard Williamson Daily Post Sports Editor STEVEN GERRARD'S Liverpool future was left hanging in the balance last night after talks over a new contract stalled. The inspirational Anfield captain and his advisers SFX have withdrawn from further discussions after an initial meeting to explore the possibilities for an extension to Gerrard's present agreement, which has two years to run, failed to produce an immediate response. That has heightened fears in the Gerrard camp that the delays in delivering a formal offer could spell an end to his association with the team he skippered to success in the Champions League final in Istanbul just over five weeks ago. However Liverpool insist they are determined to keep hold of the England midfielder, although any more delays will only serve to fuel further speculation over the future of the 25-year-old. Weekend reports suggested Gerrard feels he is being forced out of the club because they have not responded to his request to resolve his new deal sooner rather than later. Gerrard was keen for matters to be sorted out before the new campaign gets underway and is understood to be losing patience over the slow progress. A meeting with his representative Struan Marshall and Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was held last Wednesday, with both sides describing it as "constructive". But the lack of a concrete proposition arising out of that get-together has re-ignited concerns that Gerrard has played his last game for the club. Gerrard indicated his desire to stay at Anfield in the immediate aftermath of Liverpool's stunning final triumph over AC Milan in May and thought the issue would be dealt with almost instantly. Instead, just 10 days away from Rafael Benitez's men beginning the defence of their trophy against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions, Gerrard is no nearer agreeing a new deal. But a speedy resolution also suits Liverpool, who would see his substantial market value begin to tumble if matters drag on, and a positive response could be enough to repair the damaging rift between the two parties. Chelsea and Real Madrid are both monitoring developments, with the new Premiership champions ready to mount a recordbreaking £30million bid for the player. Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton insists the club do not want to lose their talisman, saying: "Our position is very clear. We want Gerrard to stay at the club." If the impasse continues, it will cast a shadow over Liverpool's launch of the defence of their Champions League trophy. If Gerrard plays in the first leg of the TNS clash it would cup tie him and substantially reduce his market value. If he sits out the game, as Michael Owen did against AZ Grazer last season, it would heighten speculation he was on his way out. Meanwhile, Boudewijn Zenden and Jose Reina will today become Liverpool's first summer signings. Zenden, who has signed on a free transfer from Middlesbrough, passed his medical over the weekend. Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: "Bolo Zenden has passed his medical. We have reached an agreement and expect the contract to be signed on Monday morning. Goalkeeper Reina, meanwhile, has returned from a holiday in Ibiza and is poised to complete his £6million move from La Liga side Villareal.

Still think he will sign, think we'll soon see the players we need at the club and it will be quantity rather then quality in most cases but eventually touching around the 30 mill budget...patience lads patience

Gonzalez speeding in as Diao eyes departure Jul 1 2005 By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff RAFAEL BENITEZ'S squad rebuilding took another step last night when Liverpool sealed a deal for winger Mark Gonzalez. The 20-year-old Chile international has agreed a one-year loan from relegated Spanish outfit Albacete with a view to a permanent £4.9million deal. Gonzalez is currently sidelined with a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained against Levante on May 8. However, the South African-born midfielder is expected to be fit by October and that has persuaded Benitez to bring forward an anticipated January move for the player. With the transfer window reopening today, Liverpool are expected to tie up two further deals within the next few days. Spanish goalkeeper Jose Reina will finally confirm his long-touted £8m move from Villarreal while Boudewijn Zenden will arrive at Anfield for talks after his contract with Middlesbrough expired last night. Benitez's extensive squad restructuring has forced Salif Diao to contemplate his future at the club, with the player's agent claiming a number of clubs are interested in the 28-year-old. Senegalese midfielder Diao was signed by former manager Gerard Houllier from Sedan for £5m three years ago but has found himself surplus to requirements under Benitez, and was loaned to Birmingham City earlier this year. And his agent Charles Colly-more said: "I am currently looking at options for Salif and there are clubs from Spain and England looking at him. "Salif has two years left on his contract, but I believe if he was to receive a good offer he would consider it. "Salif is keen to be playing first-team football regularly and we will look at the options with the transfer window open for two months."

THEY may be the minnows of Europe, but Liverpool fans were quick to queue up in the hot sunshine around Anfield as tickets for the Champions League qualifying game against Total Network Solutions went on sale. Just 33 days after the triumph over mighty AC Milan in Istanbul, the supporters set out on a new campaign to try to retain their trophy - starting with the 1st leg against the Welsh village side, to be played at Anfield on Wednesday, July 13. Because of the time constraints Liverpool have been forced to put on sale tickets for the second qualifying game, against HB Thorshavn of the Faroe Isles of HFK Kaunas of Lithuania. Tickets are priced just £10 for Adults and £5 for children

do you think you can catch Cally's record of apperances?

Didi signing is fantastic news

At home, with large number of cans, cigerattes and an ambulance outside the house in case the heart stops

new Figo, the one who dives and is lazy, no thanks

Id say his looking for massive wages and a huge signing on fee as his out of contract, money maybe Rafa feels better spend elsewhere

I rate Boa Morte, he played very well against us in both games this season, anyone remember his tackle on Pongolle two seasons ago....nasty

I did, but everything i read seems to be centered around the champions league next season, fuck next season lets concentrate on winning it first, then if we do will see about next year, personally i couldint give a rats arse if we win it but cant defend it...i just want to win it!!

Can we please wait and see if we win the thing first!!!

Hargreeves is average and not a player id want, agree that premiership experience is a plus but normally way to expensive, i thrust rafa to get it right in the summer, when given money he has bought well , i.e Xabi, Luis and Fernando

thought he was poor for the free kick and the ball he let slip when it was ruled for off side was poor

think Milan lost to Marseille and Ajax in white too ??

one word sums up that article....jealous

Cant see Bolton beating Portsmouth at Fratton Park

Its still wide open cause everton can still slip up, we have three points to make up and were thru on goal difference that can mean everton win one, loose two and we win both draw last three and we won both loose all three and we win one newcastle had a good win and hopefully go to goodison in good form, but its the one game i can see them winning, but i could see them loosing to arse and bolton....i think we can pick up four points from our last two and think we can do it with those points

Didint cost 22million combined

won all our four in red against teams in white

Who knows whats ahead in the summer regarding transfer money, we could alwys secure investment and that would mean a whole new outlook

Its fucking mind games before our biggest game in twenty years and Parry has ran out a counter spin about a new deal to shut them the fuck up....well in Parry

>:( :smile:

their support is shameful

i cant stand Figo, lazy, diver and overrated