LFC NEW STADIUM REVEAL (3 photos)

Steven Gerrard said: "To be honest I knew it was going to be great but after spending five minutes looking at the plans I was just completely blown away by it. We are Liverpool Football Club and we expect the best and this will be the best. I've played in some special stadiums but this is something special and it's so important that we are not seen to be copying off another club."

Jamie Carragher added: "Everyone is excited by the new plans. They are spectacular. We've got a great stadium at the minute in Anfield, but the designers have come up with something completely unique. I've never seen a football ground like it and that's what makes it so special."

Rafa Benitez added his voice of support to the new stadium design: "The facilities the new stadium will provide are going to ensure that the future of this club is a great one and this is what our fans deserve."

NEW STADIUM LAUNCH

Steven Gerrard said: "To be honest I knew it was going to be great but after spending five minutes looking at the plans I was just completely blown away by it. We are Liverpool Football Club and we expect the best and this will be the best. I've played in some special stadiums but this is something special and it's so important that we are not seen to be copying off another club."

Jamie Carragher added: "Everyone is excited by the new plans. They are spectacular. We've got a great stadium at the minute in Anfield, but the designers have come up with something completely unique. I've never seen a football ground like it and that's what makes it so special."

Rafa Benitez added his voice of support to the new stadium design: "The facilities the new stadium will provide are going to ensure that the future of this club is a great one and this is what our fans deserve."

FOWLER JOIN CARDIFF

After turn downed several offers from Sydney FC, Leicester, Port Vale, and other clubs, The God signs in for two-year contract with Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff.

A statement on Cardiff's official website said: "Cardiff City are delighted to announce that Robbie Fowler has agreed to join them on a two-year contract.

"Robbie is expected to be unveiled at a press conference in Cardiff on Monday or Tuesday this week."

His first, nine-year spell at Liverpool, which ended in 2001 with a move to Leeds, saw Fowler score 120 league goals and made him one of the most feared strikers in England.

Fowler joined Leeds for £11m, netting 14 times in 24 league starts, before a switch to Manchester City in January 2003.

The striker's unexpected return to Liverpool three years later was welcomed by Reds fans although he was rarely first choice under Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156443070721-1316.htm

FOWLER AGREES CARDIFF MOVE
Paul Eaton 21 July 2007

Robbie Fowler has agreed to sign for Cardiff City on a two year contract.

Fowler, who was released by Liverpool at the end of last season, has finalised a deal to join up with the Championship side and will be unveiled at a news conference this week.

The 32 year old striker had earlier rejected the opportunity to continue his playing career with Sydney FC in Australia's A-League.

"It's taken a lot of hard work but thankfully it's done now," Cardiff manager Dave Jones said.

"I met Robbie on holiday in America, just a chance meeting, and asked him what he was doing.

"He wasn't sure so I went on the internet to check his record and found he wasn't a bad player so I thought we might chase him.

"Peter [Ridsdale] has worked really hard on it and I'm glad he's decided to we are the club he wants to join."


Wish you good luck, legend!

RAFA IMPRESSED WITH VORONIN DEBUT

Paul Eaton Rafael Benitez tonight praised the debut performance of Andriy Voronin after the Ukrainian made an impressive start to his Anfield career during the 3-0 friendly victory at Crewe.

Voronin created the game's opening goal for Lee Peltier during an impressive 45 minutes on the field and Benitez is confident his new striker will have a big part to play once the competitive action begins next month. "We know that Voronin is going to be another option for us," he said. "He has good game intelligence, he plays well between the lines and he has a lot of quality. "He played well today in what was a good game for us. We used 22 players and I saw a lot of good things on the field. "Two of the young lads scored as well which is good for them. They need to be involved in these kind of games to show what they can do." The Reds fly off to Switzerland on Sunday for a week long training camp which will include friendlies against Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Record signing Fernando Torres is expected to play some part of Tuesday night's game with Bremen in Grenchen. "We had to wait for Fernando because he started training after the other players and we also needed to check his ankle, but I think he'll be okay for our next game." Benitez, meanwhile, didn't rule out the possibility that he could welcome another new player to the club before the start of the season. "We'll have to see," he said. "We are working hard with the players we have but we'll also keep an eye on the market. We have another month before the season starts so there's plenty of time."

GREAT REASONS TO SIGN UP FOR SETANTA

Paul Eaton 15 July 2007 Sign up for Setanta Sports today and not only will you be able to enjoy LFC TV - the club's brand new dedicated channel - when it launches in September, you'll also be able to watch both of the Reds' friendlies live from Switzerland this week.

Rafael Benitez's side take on Werder Bremen in Grenchen on Tuesday night (7.15pm ko) and then face French outfit Auxerre on Friday in Freiburg (2pm ko). Record signing Fernando Torres is expected to make his debut in one of the matches while there are also likely to be first starts for fellow new boys Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun. Both matches are live and exclusive on Setanta Sports, who will be bringing you LFC TV as part of its nine channel sports package in the autumn. LFC TV will be included at no extra cost - the recently reduced price of £9.99 a month applies to the full Setanta Sports Pack, and there is no annual contract. The channel will also be broadcast live on www.liverpoolfc.tv as part of e-Season Ticket, the official website's premium content service. What's On LFC TV and When All Liverpool FC matches in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League (not live) At least six hours of original programming content per day, five days a week, fifty two weeks per year Daily news round-up with all the latest from Anfield and Melwood Exclusive interviews with the manager, coaching staff and current players Classic matches from Liverpool's illustrious past No less than 50% of all friendlies involving the Liverpool football team on a live and exclusive basis Live studio discussions with former Liverpool stars, supporters, celebrity fans and football experts LFC TV viewers subscribing to Setanta Sports will receive the club's brand new designated channel plus: Setanta Sports 1 Setanta Sports 2 Setanta Golf Racing UK Racing World NASN (North American Sports Network) Celtic TV Rangers TV Click here for more information on Setanta Sports and to sign up today>> LFC TV will also be available to watch live online on liverpoolfc.tv if you subscribe to the official club website's premium content offering, the e-Season Ticket. Click here for more information on the e-Season Ticket>>

FABIO ON ROAD TO RECOVERY

	Fabio Aurelio hopes to be back in training next month as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
The Brazilian damaged his Achilles last season and has spent the summer undergoing an intensive rehabilitation programme. "Fabio isn't fit yet," said boss Rafael Benitez. "It could be another month before he is recovered. We knew it would be a long time when he suffered the injury. "He is improving but it's not easy when you have this kind of injury."

NEW LIVERPOOL 07/08 HOME & AWAY SHIRTS

REDS HUNT £10M FOR BABEL

Liverpool are closing in on rising Dutch star Ryan Babel. The Reds are in a strong position to land the 20-year-old having started negotiations with Ajax for the £10m-rated starlet. Manager Rafa Benitez turned his attention to the exciting frontman having lost out to Chelsea in the battle for Lyon’s Florent Malouda.

Now Babel, a versatile attacker who can play as a striker, left or right winger, has jumped to the top of the Reds’ wanted list. Babel was a star in the recent European Under-21 Championships when he was named man-of-the-match in Holland’s 4-1 win over Serbia. He’s attracted interest from a host of clubs, with Arsenal initially considered his most likely destination.

But Liverpool have acted swiftly in the transfer market in recent weeks, with the working relationship between Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry yielding positive results. Liverpool are confident Babel’s signature will be secured imminently as the youngster has stated his desire to move to Anfield. Following last week’s purchase of Fernando Torres, Benitez will be delighted to see another key stage of his summer transfer rebuilding plans taking shape. He also remains keen to sign West Ham’s Yossi Benayoun, although the Hammers still want as much as £6m for the Israeli international, which may yet prove a stumbling block.

Craig Bellamy will move to Upton Park for £8m once he reaches agreement on the pay-off he’s expecting from Liverpool. Djibril Cisse has joined Marseilles in a deal worth £8m, while Mark Gonzalez is joining Real Betis for £3.5m. With Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle also moving on for a combined value of around £5m, Liverpool have been equally impressive raising the funds to finance Benitez’s summer spending spree

BELLAMY & CISSE DEALS ARE COMPLETED

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that deals taking Craig Bellamy to West Ham and Djibril Cisse to Marseille have been completed. And the Anfield manager, who had just witnessed a youthful Liverpool side win a pre-season friendly at Wrexham 3-2, insisted that any move to bring Yossi Benayoun to the club would be a separate deal.

It is believed that West Ham have paid £8m for Bellamy, who has agreed a four-year deal on £75,000 a week, but any chance that Benayoun would be part of that deal have been ended by Benitez. Benitez, who has also allowed reserve winger Paul Anderson to join Swansea on a season-long loan, said: “The deals for Bellamy and Cisse are completed.

“And any move for Benayoun to join us from West Ham will not be linked with the Bellamy sale. We have made an offer which has been rejected. He is a player I like and would want to sign, and I believe he wants to join us, but that deal will be separate now. We will have to wait and see what happens now next week.” West Ham had attempted to use Benayoun as a straight swap for Bellamy, but Liverpool consider the Isreal captain is worth around £4m, and that offer has been rejected by the Hammers.

Cisse was also the subject of a late move by West Ham, but the French international wants to stay with Marseille, after a season on loan there. His fee is believed to be around £6m.

CRAIG BELLAMY'S LIVERPOOL DREAM NEARLY OVER

Craig Bellamy is on the verge of ending his one-year Liverpool career by signing for West Ham United – as Portsmouth raised the stakes in the bidding for Djibril Cisse by tabling a £9million bid. Welsh forward Bellamy didn’t report for the resumption of pre-season training at Melwood yesterday as he made his way down to London for talks at Upton Park.

Liverpool are in the process of negotiating a fee of around £10million for a player who they bought from Blackburn Rovers for £6million last summer. And Yossi Benayoun is likely to be part of the deal as Liverpool close in on boosting their midfield with the Israeli playmaker. Manager Rafael Benitez has already missed out in one bid for Benayoun earlier in the summer but the signing of French international Julien Faubert from Bordeaux earlier this week seems to have paved the way for his departure.

Bellamy has been West Ham’s number one target since they missed out on the £17million capture of Charlton’s Darren Bent, who snubbed them for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. And Benitez made it clear he was ready to listen to offers for the 27-year-old once he furnished his forward line with record buy Fernando Torres this week, along with Ukrainian Andriy Voronin on a free from Bayer Leverkusen.

As for Cisse, staying with Marseille, where he has been on loan for the past year, is his preferred option. But Liverpool will hold out to recoup as much of the then-club record £14million they paid Auxerre for him as possible. Portsmouth’s bid could, therefore, force Marseille to up their valuation, especially as West Ham and Bolton are also preparing offers for the Frenchman.

While wide players, such as Roma’s Alessandro Mancini, remain Benitez’s next priority in terms of incoming players, he insists that the Torres signing signals the end of purchases in the £15-20million bracket. He said: “We know this is big money, but we were prepared to pay this for a top class striker. Now we are looking for other targets who are not as expensive as Fernando. We are working on two or three new faces. We are close with some of them, but you never know. Not until the players are here at a press conference will I be convinced that they are here.”

BOLO ZENDEN SET TO JOIN MARSEILLE

Bolo Zenden was today set to sign for Marseille after being released by Liverpool at the end of last season. The former Holland midfielder was expected to sign a two-year contract at OM after completing a medical today.

A Marseille statement read: "Boudewijn Zenden is at Marseille. He is currently taking medical exams as a pre-condition to him signing, and should then sign for two years at OM, before being presented to the press."

Zenden, 30, has played for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea, Middlesbrough before joining Liverpool in summer 2005. His last competitive appearance came in the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to AC Milan in the final of last season’s Champions League. He has played 54 times for Holland. Marseille qualified for this season’s Champions League after finishing second in Ligue 1 last term.

ANDRIY VORONIN, The New Number 10

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156311070706-1356.htm

ANDRIY VORONIN: THE FIRST INTERVIEW

Jimmy Rice 06 July 2007

The Reds' new number 10 speaks to Liverpoolfc.tv about his decision to leave Germany after 12 years, his role at Anfield and his first impressions of the club.

We first heard of your move to Liverpool at the start of this year – how does it feel to finally be here?

It feels very good, of course. I am pleased to be here finally. I am very excited to be at a new club, and especially one where all the players and staff are so friendly. I've noticed how the atmosphere here is really good. The club is helping me and my girlfriend find somewhere to live. I'm currently living in a hotel but hopefully that'll change in the next few days.

You've played in Germany since you were a teenager, why was now the right time to move to England?

After being in Germany for 12 years I felt it was time for a change, and then even more so when the offer came in from Liverpool. It's such a famous and big club – one of the most famous in the world. You can't resist an offer like that. The task in front of Liverpool at the start of every season is to win trophies and I want to be part of that. I want to help Liverpool achieve things.

How much do you know about the club and its history?

Some, but I don't know all of it yet. I'm learning all the time though and I will soon be up to speed.

You played at Anfield for Leverkusen back in 2005. What was your impression of the club back then?

I will never forget that night, even though my team didn't perform as well as we could. Even for an opposition player, the supporters and the atmosphere in that stadium were unforgettable, and definitely the thing I remember most from that match. The Liverpool fans are world famous, and though this was not the only reason I decided to join this club, it was certainly one of the main reasons. I can't wait to play at Anfield in a red shirt.

What has Rafa told you about your role here?

As a striker, of course the main task for me is to score goals. That is my role.

How confident are you about forcing your way into the first team and becoming a success in English football?

I am confident. If I wasn't confident, I would not have made the decision to come here. I feel I can adapt and be a success in the English game.

You've had your first training session at Melwood – how did you find that?

It was only a light training session yesterday, but I'm looking forward to getting started properly. The past two days I have been busy undergoing various tests here at Melwood.

How much are you looking forward to playing with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso?

It is a pleasure to play with such world-class players, but they are only two of the players at the club. Obviously they are two of the best players in Europe, and it's very important for a striker to play with such great players. It makes it easy for strikers if there are top players playing behind them in midfield.

Have you been told when you are going to make your debut?

No, but I hope it will be against Crewe on July 14. That's when it will probably be.

TORRES SIGN TO SIX YEAR DEAL

TORRES ALL SET TO SIGN ON WEDNESDAY

Liverpool Football Club has announced that Spanish striker Fernando Torres passed a medical on Tuesday and will complete his move to Anfield on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old is expected to make the deal official on Wednesday afternoon before being unveiled to the media.

source from www.liverpoolfc.tv

20 HANDY FACTS ABOUT FERNANDO TORRES

Hugh Larkin
28/05/2007


Fernando Torres is the Spanish striker has been linked with all of the current ‘Big 4’ clubs in the Premiership at some time or other and all the indications are that he’ll be the target of furious speculation again this summer.

1. Torres is nicknamed El Nino- ‘The Kid’, because of his youthful appearance and precocious rise to fame

2. He first played for Atletico Madrid as a 17 year old in June 2001- and scored in his second game

3. He was a phenomenally successful player at youth level. He scored the winning goal in the Finals of the European under 16 and under 19 championships. In the latter competition he was top scorer and voted player of the tournament.

4. Torres netted three times in last year’s World Cup in Germany

5. He grew up in an area of the capital that normally gives allegiance to Real Madrid but he has always been an Atletico supporter.

6. Torres is Atletico’s youngest ever captain, receiving the armband for the first time at just 19 years of age.

7. He has 40 caps for Spain and 14 goals at time of writing

8. Speculation was rife a few weeks ago that Liverpool was his future destination, when it was revealed that he had the words ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ on the back of his skipper’s armband.

9. He now has 71 goals in 169 games for Atletico and he helped them back to the top division in 2002.

10. For the past 5 seasons Torres has netted double figures in LA Liga, his best total being 20.

11. He did much to take Spain to the 2006 World Cup by scoring 7 times in 11 games.

12. Spanish coach Luis Aragones is quoted as saying Torres ‘never scores two goals the same’, alluding to the versatility he shows up front.

13. Torres is noted for his pace to unsettle defenders but he also has aerial presence, which explains much of his appeal to Premiership managers.

14. Atletico have a clause in Torres’ contract that says that if they sell him it must be for at least £27 million

15. Torres has 13 League goals this season and has been on the park for more minutes than any other player at the club.

16. On 14th May, the Atletico President was on Spanish TV and repeated that the club did not want to sell their key asset and added that he thought Torres would not want to leave his only club.

17. Torres was actually dropped from the Spanish squad in November after scoring only two goals from the start of the season. He was recalled in April.

18. He has been with Atletico- via the youth teams-since the age of 11.

19. Atletico have missed out on European competition for the past coupe of seasons. Qualification for the UEFA cup in the next few weeks could be critical to the player’s future plans.

20. Torres wears the number nine shirt and has a personal fan club know as the ‘F9T’.