GUARDIAN – Martin Skrtel admits he may move on after ‘worst Liverpool season’

May 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

• Defender lost place in Brendan Rodgers’s side in January
• ‘If an offer were to come in I would consider it seriously’

Martin Skrtel has confirmed he would consider leaving Liverpool this summer having endured “one of the worst seasons in my career”.

Brendan Rodgers is looking to sign two central defenders having lost Jamie Carragher to retirement and been unconvinced by Sebastián Coates. The Liverpool manager has stated that Skrtel remains in his plans but, following a testing campaign when he lost his first-team place and attracted criticism from Rodgers, the Slovakia international has admitted his Anfield future is in doubt.

Skrtel said: “I have not had any specific offers but if some should come and they interest me, I would probably consider it seriously. The club has the biggest say in this in any case, because they have the right for it with me being contracted. I am not saying that I want to leave at any cost. I feel sorry for what happened in this season. But I have been here for five and a half years and I have built a position here.”

The 28-year-old was dropped following the Premier League defeat at Manchester United in January and suffered a miserable recall in the FA Cup exit at League One Oldham Athletic a fortnight later.

Skrtel added: “It was one of the worst seasons in my career and certainly the worst during my time at Liverpool. After the game at Manchester United, the coach decided he wanted to change the team and justified to me that we lacked the organisation and defensive leadership personality. That was Carragher.

“Obviously I was not happy, it bugged me. On the other hand, I realise that only 11 can play and the 11 the coach chooses now is without me. I decided to add even more in training, so I was ready for a chance to show that I belong on the field, and not on the pitch.”

Rodgers has lined up Kolo Touré as a free signing once his contract expires at Manchester City this summer while Schalke’s Greece international Kyriakos Papadopoulos is Liverpool’s leading defensive target.

The defender Danny Wilson has signed a three-year contract with Hearts, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, following his release at Anfield.

Andy Hunter


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-05-27 16:42:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

METRO – Relegated Wigan start to clear the decks of their FA Cup heroes

May 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

FA Cup winners Wigan have started to clear the decks after being relegated from the Premier League by parting company with eight players.

A news article on 2013-05-21 17:42:00 from: The Metro

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

GOAL – Arsenal hold second round of talks with Ashley Williams camp

May 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Gunners are increasingly confident of signing the Swansea City centre-back this summer as they prepare a summer bid of around £8m, having held initial discussions in April

A news article on 2013-05-11 06:30:00 from: Goal

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

F365 – Premier League: Newcastle in big trouble as Liverpool do not miss Luis Suarez

April 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Newcastle were plunged deeper into relegation trouble after a crushing 6-0 defeat by Liverpool.

A news article on 2013-04-27 18:28:00 from: Football 365

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

TTT: Premier League Preview 2012/13: Reading (A)

April 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

TTT: Premier League Preview 2012/13: Reading (A)

By Gary Fulcher, Daniel Rhodes and Mihail Vladimirov. Liverpool travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday – 3pm kick off UK time – where they face bottom side Reading in what will be just the tenth official meeting between the two sides. The Reds secured a 1-0 victory at Anfield back in December with Raheem Sterling scoring his first senior goal for the club, which gave Brendan Rodgers his first league win at Anfield as Liverpool manager. Our last league encounter at the Madejski Stadium ended in a 1-3 defeat back in December 2007. Steven Gerrard equalised Hunt’s opener before two second half goals from Doyle and Harper sealed Reading’s victory, which is their only league triumph over Liverpool to date. Premier League record since the two clubs met back in October: Liverpool – P: 24 W: 11 D: 7 L: 6 F: 49 A: 28 GD: +21 Pts: 40 Reading – P: 25 W: 5 D: 5 L: 15 F: 28 A: 49 GD: -21 Pts: 20 Reading are currently on a seven game losing streak in the Premier League – they also lost seven consecutive games earlier in the season – and can lay claim to having lost the most games (19), conceded the most goals (63), kept the fewest clean sheets (three) and have won just five times in the league all season (Q.P.R. have won fewer games with four). Only Wigan Athletic with 32 have conceded more goals at home than Reading’s total of 31 prior to this fixture. Liverpool have the third best defensive record at home this season with 14 goals conceded in 16 matches, Chelsea with 13 goals against them and Man City with 11 goals conceded boast better records. Manchester City are also the only side to have kept more clean sheets than the Reds with 14 compared to our tally of 12. The match-day officials for this fixture are: Referee: M Clattenburg Assistants: S Child, R Ganfield; Fourth official: A Bates TEAM NEWS Fabio Borini (shoulder), Martin Kelly (knee), Raheem Sterling (thigh) and Joe Allen (shoulder) are ruled out through injury, while Stewart Downing (illness) is doubtful. Reading are missing Jason Roberts (thigh) and Hope Akpan (knock), while Jimmy Kebe (groin) is rated as doubtful. Liverpool: Goalkeepers: Reina, Jones, Gulacsi Defenders: Johnson, Wisdom, Flanagan, Skrtel, Agger, Coates, Carragher, Enrique Midfielders: Lucas, Gerrard (c), Coutinho, Henderson, Downing, Suso, Assaidi, Shelvey Strikers: Suarez, Sturridge Reading: Goalkeepers: Federici, McCarthy, Andersen, Taylor Defenders: Gunter, Shorey, Pearce, Mariappa, Morrison, Harte, Cummings, Kelly, Carrico Midfielders: Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff (c), McCleary, Kebe, Robson-Kanu, Guthrie Strikers: Pogrebnyak, le Fondre, Hunt, Church, Blackman This post is for subscribers only. Member-only content – you need to subscribe to read it ! A subscription costs only £3.50 per month. Find out what you get with your subscription, or Subscribe now.

View the full story here: The Tomkins Times

A news article on 2013-04-11 10:31:00 from: The Tomkins Times

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

TTT: Premier League Preview 2012/13: Aston Villa (A)

March 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

TTT: Premier League Preview 2012/13: Aston Villa (A)

By Gary Fulcher, Daniel Rhodes and Mihail Vladimirov. Liverpool travel to Villa Park on Sunday – 1.30pm kick off UK time – hoping to prevent Paul Lambert’s relegation strugglers from completing a first league ‘double’ over us since the 1992/93 campaign, when they recorded a 4-2 win at Villa Park and a 2-1 victory at Anfield over Graeme Souness’ Reds. The corresponding fixture last season saw Craig Bellamy and Martin Skrtel secure a 2-0 victory for Liverpool at Villa Park, but Villa won the reverse fixture this season at Anfield 3-1 back in December thanks to goals from Christian Benteke (2) and Andreas Weimann. Since that surprise victory for Paul Lambert’s side, Aston Villa have won just three of the 12 Premier League games played – with all three victories coming in their last four league games – and they currently sit in 17th place, three points above the relegation zone. Aston Villa’s record at Villa Park this season goes some way to explaining why they face the very real threat of relegation for the first time since 1986/87. Their tally of four wins from 15 home games is the joint third lowest in the divisions, while only Wigan Athletic with eight defeats have lost more games at home than Villa’s total of seven. Only bottom side Queens Park Rangers have scored fewer goals at home (11) than Aston Villa (14) and their goal difference of -25 is the poorest in the league prior to this weekend’s matches taking place. Premier League record since the two clubs met at the middle of December: Liverpool – P: 13 W: 7 D: 2 L: 4 F: 34 A: 16 GD: +18 Pts: 23 Aston Villa – P: 13 W: 3 D: 3 L: 7 F: 16 A: 32 GD: -16 Pts: 12 The match-day officials for this fixture are: Referee: Lee Mason Assistants: D Bryan, A Halliday Fourth official: H Webb TEAM NEWS Fabio Borini (shoulder), Joe Allen (shoulder) and Martin Kelly (knee) are ruled out for Liverpool. Aston Villa are missing Stiliyan Petrov (Leukaemia), Gary Gardner (knee), Richard Dunne (groin), Chris Herd (foot), Marc Albrighton (foot), Nathan Baker (head) and have doubts over Darren Bent (foot) and Karim El Ahmadi (foot). Liverpool: Goalkeepers: Reina, Jones, Gulacsi Defenders: Johnson, Wisdom, Flanagan, Skrtel, Agger, Coates, Carragher, Enrique Midfielders: Lucas, Coutinho, Gerrard (c), Henderson, Downing, Shelvey, Sterling, Suso, Assaidi Strikers: Suarez, Sturridge Aston Villa: Goalkeepers: Given, Guzan, Marshall Defenders: Vlaar (c), Clark, Bennett, Stevens, Lichaj, Marshall, Williams Midfielders: Ireland, El Ahmadi, N’Zogbia, Holman, Westwood, Delph, Sylla, Bannan, Johnson, Carruthers, Lowton Strikers: Bent, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Dawkins, Weimann This post is for subscribers only. Member-only content – you need to subscribe to read it ! A subscription costs only £3.50 per month. Find out what you get with your subscription, or Subscribe now.

View the full story here: The Tomkins Times

A news article on 2013-03-29 12:17:00 from: The Tomkins Times

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

ECHO – Liverpool FC News: Liverpool FC analysis: The LFC bandwagon is, belatedly, gathering pace (GALLERY)

March 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

THE roar which greeted the final blast of Michael Oliver’s whistle said it all. Relief, euphoria, delight, hope, aggression and optimism all rolled into one. The Liverpool bandwagon is, belatedly, gathering pace. Anfield is beginning to enjoy itself once more.

A news article on 2013-03-11 11:00:00 from: Liverpool Echo

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

METRO – Everton fans walk out before half-time as Wigan score three in four minutes

March 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Hoards of Everton fans walked out of Goodison Park before half-time is disgust as they saw their side concede three goals inside four minutes against Wigan.

A news article on 2013-03-09 13:42:00 from: The Metro

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

GUARDIAN – Luis Suárez treated more harshly than Gareth Bale – Brendan Rodgers

March 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

• Suárez is ‘trying to adapt to culture’ in England
• ‘He’s been consistently the best player this season’

Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suárez has made a conscious decision to improve his image but continues to receive disproportionate criticism compared with British players, including Gareth Bale.

Bale, who faces Liverpool with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, was booked for simulation for the fourth time this season on Thursday when hooking his leg around Walter Gargano during the 3-0 Europa League win over Internazionale. Suárez has also been booked for diving this season, at Sunderland, and admitted to trying to win a penalty against Stoke City in October, earning a rebuke from Rodgers, who had previously defended him.

The Liverpool manager, however, believes the reaction to Bale’s latest indiscretion demonstrates the contrast with Suárez as the two player of the year contenders prepare to meet at Anfield. Rodgers said: “It [Bale's booking] wasn’t even mentioned today. I know if that had been Luis I would have been sat there answering questions on it for about half an hour. That’s why I defend Luis.

“If players or people are judging him on his football then he’s been consistently the best player right the way through the season. If they are going to judge him on things outside of football, then they won’t be just judging him and they can’t just judge him, because there have been misdemeanours by other players. But that’s a part of life and football. We hope we are judging him by his qualities on the field and those have been in evidence.”

Despite the controversies that have plagued the Uruguayan striker, Rodgers claims Suárez has shown greater maturity in his game in recent months. He added: “I can only protect my player and judge him from what we see. I don’t think it’s just with Luis. There are other foreign players it can happen to.

“Luis has tried to change but because he is a foreign player he gets labelled more. If a British player does it, we would maybe laugh about it. He is trying to turn around his life and adapt to the culture.

“You can clearly see with Luis that he has taken on board everything, speaks with his team-mates and you can see that change in him. I have given him responsibility on the field as one of my main guys and you can see that maturity in his performance. His football is outstanding and hopefully it continues.”

The Liverpool manager revealed Suárez played with a slight hamstring strain against Wigan Athletic last week, when he scored a hat-trick to overtake Robin van Persie as the leading marksman in the Premier League. “Perhaps nine out of 10 players would not have played,” he said. “To have someone like that gives you great hope.” Liverpool will have Daniel Sturridge available to face Spurs after the England forward missed the last two games with a thigh problem.

Andy Hunter


guardian.co.uk © 2013 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

A news article on 2013-03-08 22:30:00 from: The Guardian

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

GOAL – Liverpool-Tottenham Hotspur Betting Preview: Bale can inspire visitors to vital victory

March 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Andre Villas-Boas’ men enjoyed a victory over north London rivals last weekend before beating Inter in midweek and Willie Duncan is tipping up another Spurs success this weekend

A news article on 2013-03-08 13:15:00 from: Goal

Read the full article here.

This news item has been reproduced from today’s media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

Filed Under: Media Watch Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts