Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Lucas - Reds Going Right Way

Lucas is hoping Liverpool are heading in the right direction following successive wins in the Premier League.

Liverpool followed up a home win over Blackburn Rovers by beating Bolton Wanderers 1-0 on Sunday to climb out of the relegation zone and into 12th position.

The back-to-back victories have raised hopes that the Reds are now starting to turn the corner following a difficult start to Roy Hodgson's tenure.

However, while Lucas sees green shoots of recovery at Anfield, the Brazilian midfielder has urged his team-mates to maintain the momentum of the past two results.

"It's three points and I think everyone can see we are improving all the time," said Lucas.

"Of course we were under pressure. We still have to improve in the league, but I think we are going the right way.

"In every game we are playing better and hopefully now in the next few games we get points and improve our position.

"The only way is playing well and I think winning will give everyone the confidence to keep going."

Maxi Rodriguez's late goal secured the points for Liverpool at the Reebok Stadium and Lucas acknowledged it was a tough test against Bolton.

He added: "It was a difficult game, of course. They have two big strikers and long balls always make it difficult for us.

"But at the end I think we tried to keep the ball on the ground and play our football, and at the end we could score a goal."

Liverpool 'Hand Trial' To European Sensation

Maccabi Tel Aviv whiz kid Omri Altman has flown to England for a trial with Liverpool, according to reports.

Israeli website One suggests that the 16-year-old was invited to Anfield after Liverpool scouts were sent to monitor the young midfielder.

Despite his tender years, Altman has an imposing physique and his power, touch and athleticism supposedly impressed the Liverpool representatives dispatched to watch him.

Reports in Israel allege that Roy Hodgson's scouts highlighted the youngster's attributes in a report compiled for the Liverpool boss, who was sufficiently impressed to ask Altman to come to Merseyside.

Altman is an attack-minded midfielder who represents Israel under 17s and has an eye for goal; which he demonstrated by scoring a hat-trick for Maccabi Tel Aviv B last week.

A deal for Altman would represent a coup for new Liverpool owners NESV and Hodgson who are want the Reds to be competing with the top clubs in Europe once again.

Hodgson commented last week that it is the vision of himself and John W Henry that Liverpool will be competing for players with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona - and Altman would certainly fall into that bracket.

The Liverpool manager said: "We want to be attracting the players that Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter are chasing. It would be nice to think that we can shop at a high level."

Kop To Pounce For Knockdown Price Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips is a £5million January target for Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson is due to meet new Liverpool owner John W Henry before Thursday’s Europa League clash with Napoli to discuss his January shopping list.

Wright-Phillips figures highly on the Liverpool boss’ list of targets and he feels the England winger could add some creativity to the Reds midfield.

Wright-Phillips, 29, would be available for a knockdown fee from Manchester City because he is in the final year of his contract at Eastlands.

Contract talks with City have stalled and Wright-Phillips would be prepared to leave City a second time because he has been dropped to the bench by Roberto Mancini.

Liverpool have been interested in Wright-Phillips before and Rafa Benitez wanted to buy him in 2005.

Liverpool, Arsenal And United Alerted To ‘New Schmeichel’ Availability

The agent of Arsenal and Manchester United target Anders Lindegaard has admitted the goalkeeper is desperate for a move to a European giant.

Lindegaard has gained many admirers from his impressive performances for Norweigian outfit Aalesunds, ranging from all over Europe.

The 26-year-old has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Aston Villa.

The Danish ace, who has been touted as the ‘new Peter Schmeichel’ is one of many names reputed to be on Sir Alex Ferguson’s list to replace Edwin van der Sar at Old Trafford.

The Gunners are still having a mini crisis with goalkeepers, with Manuel Almunia out of favour and some lingering doubts over Lukasz Fabianski, and have been catapulted to the head of the list of admirers.

Arsene Wenger is facing competition in his mission to bring Lindegaard to the Emirates Stadium, though, as Roy Hodgson has reportedly sent scouts from Liverpool to watch him.

With concerns over Pepe Reina’s long-term future, Liverpool could be forced into making an offer to bring the stopper to Anfield in the near future – although that is thought to depend on whether Manchester United make a move.

Michael Stensgaard told Sport.co.uk: “There are clubs watching him, of course. I will not name them at the moment, but there are key clubs looking.

“He is currently performing well and playing to a good level. Unfortunately there is no news until we receive an offer.

“A move in the January transfer window can only happen when we receive a concrete offer, unfortunately no one has come forward with one, so it is difficult to talk about a move.

“The player is open to a January move if it is the right club on the right conditions for his current club as well. Until we have an offer I cannot say anymore.”

Manchester City 'Willing To Pay £1 More' Than Best Offer For Fernando Torres

Manchester City will try and ensure they outbid any competitors in the race for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

According to the People, Manchester City chiefs have asked the player's advisers at Bahia International to inform them of any offers on the table for the Liverpool forward.

“They are willing to pay one pound more than the best offer that comes in for Fernando," a source close to Torres told the paper.

“City wants to prepare a new project with Torres as their main star. Next season they want to make sure they are fighting for the Premier League title from the first moment again."

Fergie Rules Out Move For Liverpool Ace

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted the club will not be signing any players in the January transfer window.

After seeing his side beat Tottenham 2-0 at the weekend, Ferguson admitted any players the club would be interested in would be cup-tied for the Champions League.

United have recently been heavily linked with Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who would cost just £12 million to bring to Old Trafford.

Reina is reportedly unsettled with life at Anfield and, with Edwin van der Sar having turned 40 on Friday, the Red Devils are looking at possible replacements for the Dutchman.

As well as the Liverpool custodian, Atletico Madrid’s young Spanish starlet David de Gea has been rumoured to be on that shortlist recently.

However, with van der Sar the first choice stopper at Old Trafford for the time being, it looks as though a move for his successor will have to wait until the summer.

Ferguson told the Independent: "We won't be buying in January, definitely not. If you want someone to play in Europe you are limited right away. There are hundreds of players cup-tied.

"You have five months left of the season, I will have Antonio Valencia back hopefully towards the end of February, which is a new player coming back.

“If Michael Owen gets back, it is another new player coming back. So with the squad I've got, I don't see any reason for us to buy anyone.”

Duo Complete Loan Move

Liverpool can tonight confirm that Tom Ince and Stephen Darby have completed their loan moves to Notts County.

Ince Jr. joins the Magpies on a Youth Loan until January 3, 2011 and will team up with his father, Paul, who has recently been installed as the League One side's new manager.

Darby, who has made just one substitute appearance for the first-team this season, has also moved to Meadow Lane on an Emergency Loan for the same period of time.

The duo have been given permission to play for County in the FA Cup and will now hope to make their respective bows in Tuesday night's league clash at Hartlepool.

Chinese Fans Share LFC Dream

Having previously reported on the legacy LFC is leaving in China by sponsoring the build of a home for a low income family, Regeneration Director Andrea Titterington now reports on the arrival on Merseyside of a special flag created by our Chinese fans.

A highlight of the Liverpool Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo was the chance for thousands of LFC fans to get closer to the Club they love.

On "Liverpool Day" a group of fans, including many from the Shanghai Liverpool Supporters Club, spent over five hours at the Pavilion gathering signatures on a flag that asks for a visit of the LFC team to China.

They were a happy crowd in their LFC kit at the Gala Concert in the evening of a day that saw over one million visitors to the Expo. They even got Leader of Liverpool Councillor, Joe Anderson, a staunch Evertonian, and Lord Mayor Helen Williams, to sign their flag petition.

Meeting Jessie Lu, of the Shanghai Supporters Club, on Heritage Day, I was given another flag. This one says "Vast as China Mainland Sky, Long-Waited as China Mainland Kop...." "China-LFC Supporters' Union."

This flag - shown above being handed over to Stephen Done, Curator and Archivist at Anfield - has made a marathon journey called "Relay dream - LFC Come to China, Please."

Starting on 27th July 2007, Jessie has taken the flag to most of the major cities of China: Hong Kong - Guangzhou (Guangdong) - Sichuan - Chong qing - Hunan - Guangxi - Zhejiang - Jiangsu - Fujian - Xi'an (Shaanxi) - Shenzhen (Guangdong) - Beijing - Tianjin - Anhui - Shanghai - Liaoning. That includes 15 provinces. The flag even appeared at Anfield before going back to China. Hundreds of Chinese "Kopites" have signed the flag.

Jessie Lu says that she has a task, a dream, which the flag will go to LFC so that the Club will know the hopes of Chinese fans.

Having completed its marathon journey and arrived safely at Anfield, it will soon be on display in the Liverpool Museum.