Valencia striker David Villa has dropped a big hint that he would welcome the chance to team up with compatriot Fernando Torres at Liverpool.
The Mestalla club have endured a dreadful season in La Liga and their star name has previously admitted that he is keeping his options open.
Although he also claimed he would be better suited to Arsenal's style of play, the Spanish international reportedly had this to say to the Spanish media:
Would you have liked to have been trained by Benitez?
Yes, from the comments of my Liverpool mates or the ones here in Valencia who played for him. They tell me that they've learned many things from him. It's a pity that we didn't coincide.
Are you compatible with Fernando Torres?
Yes, both on and off the pitch. We like playing together. I don't want to disrespect Atletico but Torres has been through some tough times and now he feels liberated. And the way Liverpool play suits his abilities, which are up there with the best in the world.
Would you adapt to English football as well?
I think so. Their football is fast, counter-attacking, which is the best for my qualities. Of course it's a different story to get there and be successful. As a fan, I like Arsenal because they play one, two touch football and they're very good at it. And because of my mates, I like Liverpool.
We have already speculated that Benitez's good contacts at Valencia and Liverpool's Spanish contingent could benefit the Reds should Valencia's top players such as Villa, David Silva and Joaquin decide to leave the club.
But what do YOU make of Villa's fresh comments?
The striker was rumoured to be interested in a move to Liverpool this time last season so would it be foolish for Benitez to miss out this time round? How much do you envisage we would have to pay to secure his signature? And do you think you know of a better striker we could sign?
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Friday, April 4, 2008
Will Saturday offer Peter Crouch the chance to save his Anfield career?
Regardless of rumours of contract talks and whatnot, I for one fully expect Peter Crouch to be strutting his lanky stuff somewhere else next season.
With first-team opportunities as rare as an Everton trophy, even if Rafa wanted to keep Peter beyond the summer, I can't see the big man accepting another year of bit-part football. If, as many expect, Rafa's going to bring in another striker as a potential replacement for Voronin or, even, Dirk Kuyt, you can be sure it will be another man with pace and power to fit into the 4-2-3-1 Rafa seems to have finally settled upon. And that could well be the final straw for Crouchy.
With a lot more than one eye on next Tuesday's second leg, I'd expect Rafa to rest his key players - that should mean a rest for Fernando, Carragher and even probably Stevie G.
With Voronin short on match-fitness and Dirk unlikely to lead the line, all fingers point towards Crouch to take his place in the team.
With fourth placed still far from assured and further Champions League glory to chase, I can't see too many chances like Saturday's for Peter to force his way into Rafa's thinking - or even into the minds of potential suitors.
It'll be far from easy for the big man to impress, though, as Arsenal's Premier League interest is sure to mean a strong side going hell for leather for three points.
Crouch would do well to draw confidence from his hat-trick against the Gunners last season. It'll probably take a performance of similar measure to assure him of a place at Anfield next year.
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Keegan earmarks £6million for Kop Striker.
Newcastle United Kevin Keegan has earmarked 10% of his reported £60million war-chest for 27-year-old Dutchman Dirk Kuyt in a bid to bolster his firing power for next season.
Kuyt who has failed to impress many of his critics during the current season is expected to be one of the several players who are on their way out of Anfield in a Benitez mini-overhaul which is said to include Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise, Andriy Voronin, Jermain Pennant and Aussie Harry Kewell.
Benitez paid a cool £10million for Kuyt from Feyenoord and will be looking to re-coup as much of that fee as possible and could be tempted with a bid of £6million or over as it could be used for his own summer targets.
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Benitez: "Away Goal Vital"
A disciplined display from Liverpool ensured they go in to the second leg of the Champions League as slight favourites in the match dubbed ‘The Battle of Britain’ after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Much maligned Dirk Kuyt cancelled out Emmanuel Adebayor’s opener as he prodded home from Steven Gerrard’s centre whilst a bit of luck in the second half, first a penalty claim by the home side after Kuyt appeared to drag back Alexandre Hleb, and secondly Nicklas Bendtner managing to clear team mate Fabregas’s goal bound shot, ensured a magical night at Anfield next week is on the cards.
After the match, Rafa Benitez said he believed the away goal his side managed to score could well prove crucial in the tie.
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Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sorry for not posting long tym,here are the highlights anyway.
enjoy!and remember to tag:)
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Sunday, March 9, 2008
Come on then, you can all come and leave your comments anonymously. So far this season, Nando has scored 25 goals. He's banged in 19 in the Premier League and if he scores one more before the end of May, he'll have scored more than Michael Owen ever did in one season in the league.
I'm going to be the first to admit that I never thought he'd be this good in his first season. I thought it might take him 12 months to adapt to life. To the language. To Liverpool.
But no, he's just stepped straight up to the plate and delivered time after time after time.
Having watched him at Atletico, I always thought he was something special, but I had my doubts about his ability to turn chances into goals. How wrong I was. His intelligence on and off the ball is unparalleled, excepting Stevie from the argument.
We haven't seen his sort on the Kop for a while. Let's all give praise because without him this season could have been a whole lot worse. Next season with him in the side, could be one of our best ever. Isn't it nice to be able to say that about a Liverpool striker?
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Kop recently devised a song for their new hero('Nando Torres). The lyrics go something like this (to the tune of 'The Animals go in Two by Two'):
His armband proved he was a red - Torres, Torres
You'll never walk alone it said - Torres, Torres
We bought the lad from sunny Spain
He gets the ball he scores again
Fer-nan-do Torres Liverpool's number 9.
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