Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has urged his squad to concentrate fully on the next match – Monday’s tough trip to Fulham.Wins over Birmingham and Newcastle have seen the Reds leapfrog Tottenham in the race for fifth place and Europa League qualification.
The clubs are level on 55 points but Spurs have a game in hand.
The stage is set for a crunch clash with Spurs at Anfield next Sunday but Dalglish is wary of the showdown with the Cottagers.
Mark Hughes’ side have climbed to ninth on the back of emphatic victories over Bolton and Sunderland and are unbeaten at home since the turn of the year.
“We never set targets, we just prepare for the next game,” Dalglish said.
“Fulham played very well here earlier in the season. We beat them 1-0 but we were quite fortunate.”
“They are on a good run and have had an excellent season so it’s a difficult game for us.”
“If they hadn’t had as many draws at the start of the season they would have been a lot higher up the table.”
“Mark Hughes is an excellent manager and has fantastic support from his backroom staff.”
Liverpool will be without defenders Martin Kelly (hamstring) and Daniel Agger (knee) for the Fulham clash, while midfielder Steven Gerrard (groin) is out for the season.
Fabio Aurelio (thigh) will face a late fitness test.
Meanwhile, Fulham winger Damien Duff has been ruled out for six weeks after surgery on his Achilles tendon.
Duff, who has played a crucial role in Fulham’s improvement in the latter half of the season, contributing four goals, has not featured since the 3-0 home win over Blackpool on April 3.
Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland are back in contention.
Midfielder Dempsey (hamstring) – the Cottagers’ all-time top scorer in the Premier League – and defender Hangeland (illness) missed Saturday’s 3-0 win at Sunderland.
It has taken a while but there can be little doubt that it was the right decision to appoint Kenny Dalglish as the permanent Liverpool manager. But Liverpool’s management strategy doesn’t always go down well in English football and in particular the idea of having a director of football working alongside the manager. Normally I would say this simply doesn’t work and should not be considered in any way. However, for some reason it does seem to work at Liverpool.
There are many roles that a football manager has to take on from the coaching & tactical side to the managing different personalities within the squad and in addition to that the coach has to look for new players to bring into the squad. Buying players could be considered a full-time role in itself and that is a lot for one man to do. This is particularly true for a big club like Liverpool.
Therefore Dalglish needs some people to work alongside him to make sure Liverpool become the team they once were again. Buying players will be an important part of that on-going strategy so Dalglish needs to have a solid scouting set-up to indentify players and scouts to go watch them. The Liverpool director of football Damien Comolli plays a very important role is assisting the Liverpool manager with identifying transfer targets and using his vast contact book to help conclude such deals. Managed in the correct way it could be considered a marriage made in heaven.
The only potential issues are the personalities of the two men and a mutual agreement on those all important transfer targets. Problems can start to develop when managers feel players are being bought or sold without their consent. However, if Comolli can work closely alongside Dalglish and they can mutally agree on targets and the manager stays involved in the process throughout, it could turn out to be a very successful partnership in the future of Liverpool Football Club.
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Former Italy striker Beppe Signori was among 28 people placed under investigation by Italian police over suspected match fixing in the Serie B.According to police, those under investigation included a number of well-known footballers who are currently active in the sport.
The case initially came to the attention of the police after players from the Serie B side Cremona were found to have been doped before a match.
“Using our technical apparatus we discovered the fact that some of the footballers’ drinks had been drugged in order to negatively affect their performance and this was connected to what we discovered was a betting circuit,” chief investigator Sergio Lo Presti said.
“This circuit planned and agreed on certain sporting events in a way that bets on these events could be placed in the range of tens of thousands of euros and in some cases hundreds of thousands of euros, achieving in this manner large amounts of money.”
Police in cities across Italy, including Rome, Turin, Naples and Bologna issued detention orders for 16 people after an investigation lasting several months.
“The conversations we tapped were extremely clear, extremely clear,” prosecutor Roberto di Martino said.
“These gentlemen believed they were using safe lines, but we intercepted the calls and they were speaking completely freely without any fear of being intercepted.”
Former international Signori, a member of the Italian squad that reached the final of the 1994 World Cup, was placed under house arrest as were seven others.
Wolves winger Matt Jarvis is determined to earn a recall to the England national side after making his debut earlier this year.Jarvis was called into Fabio Capello’s squad for England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales in March and made his debut as a substitute in a friendly against Ghana the following week.
And the 25-year-old said the brief taste of international football had made him hungry for more.
He told the Daily Mail: “The England call-up was a huge boost for me and to actually play part of the game was massive.”
“It was a lifelong ambition but it has whetted my appetite for more of the same and hopefully I can get back in there during the coming season.”
As he flew out to join his Wolves team-mates at a training camp in Kildare, Ireland, Jarvis said he hoped he could continue to improve his form to help Mick McCarthy’s side stay in the English Premier League.
“Everyone strives to do better than the season before and that counts for me as well,” Jarvis said.
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“I think I can still improve. I want to play as many games as possible, score more goals and hopefully that will help me to get back in the England squad.”
Brazil have been sensationally knocked out of the Copa America, beaten on penalties by Paraguay in the quarter-finals on Sunday.Both regular time and extra time finished 0-0 after eight-time Copa winners Brazil squandered a succession of gilt-edged chances in Buenos Aires, and they were made to pay in the shootout, missing their first four spot-kicks as they went down 2-0.
Host nation Argentina suffered a similar fate on Saturday, losing their quarter-final against Uruguay on penalties, meaning that for just the second time in Copa America history, neither one of the powerhouses will feature in the semi-finals.
Paraguay failed to get a single shot on target during the 120 minutes, and can thank goalkeeper Justo Villar for pulling off a number of excellent saves to keep his side level.
Villar was called into action to make a point-blank save from Lucio in the 33rd minute after the defender latched onto Andre Santos’ free kick, and the goalkeeper was again busy in the second half as he denied Paulo Henrique Ganso and Pato in quick succession.
Substitute Fred looked as though he had finally made the breakthrough after his looping header beat Villar, but Edgar Barreto headed the ball off the line.
Brazil continued to pound the Paraguayan defence in extra time to no avail, and both sides were reduced to 10 men when Paraguay defender Antolin Alcaraz and Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva were sent off late in the match.
In the shootout, Elano, Andres Santos and Fred all fired their penalties wide while Villar saved from Thiago Silva, with Cristian Riveros scoring the winning spot kick for Paraguay to set up a semi-final against either Chile or Venezuela.
Gabriel Heinze says he is honoured to have signed for Serie A club Roma, and is ready for the challenge of playing in Italy.The 33-year-old defender moved to the Italian capital after two seasons with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille and feels the transfer will be another test in his career.
“For me, wearing the jersey of Roma is an honour,” Heinze said. “I have (been) lucky enough to play in big clubs, now I have been given this new challenge and I did not hesitate for a second to say yes,” the ex-Manchester United man told Corriere dello Sport.
Stadio Olimpico side Roma are under new American owners and have ambitious plans of getting back into Scudetto contention, which has impressed their new signing.
“The project is ambitious and appealing; i Giallorossi have a good mix of experienced and young players.”
“(New signings) Bojan (Krkic) and (Erik) Lamela are great players who are hungry for success in Rome, which will help the whole group,” he continued.
Heinze will join fellow Argentine Nicolas Burdisso at the club, and would like to play in the centre of defence with his international team-mate, but also is happy to feature at left back.
“I’ve played with Nicolas many times in the national team and it has always gone well.”
“I will play where the coach asks me to play; it is he who decides, I have no problems. My goal is to win,” he concluded.
The arrival of Heinze is set to soften the blow of losing France international Phillippe Mexes to Serie A rivals Milan.
Inverness will be out to pick up their first points of the Scottish Premier League season, when they travel to Dunfermline on Saturday.Terry Butcher’s men were denied by a late Garry O’Connor goal in their 1-0 loss to Hibernian last time out, keeping them as the only point-less SPL side after two games heading into their clash at East End Park.
Dunfermline also have plenty to prove after their drab 0-0 draw against St Mirren in their first match in the top division, and will be champing at the bit to pick up points after their clash against Celtic was postponed last weekend.
The winner of Dundee United and St Mirren on Saturday will go to the top of the table overnight.
The two sides are in a group of four level on four points, but with Rangers’ clash with Kilmarnock postponed, and Motherwell – on top on goal difference – in action on Sunday, Dundee or St Mirren can go clear at the summit with the three points at Tannadice Park.
Hibernian’s scheduled home match against St Johnstone has also been rearranged for September 28 so the Edinburgh club can play Sunderland in a friendly.
Celtic are away to Aberdeen on Sunday in a replay of the biggest rout of last season, when Neil Lennon’s men won 9-0 at Celtic Park.
Also on Sunday, Hearts travel to Motherwell to begin life after Jim Jefferies, who was sacked as club manager on Monday.
Being a Premier League manager in this day and age is not easy, however for some it may be easier than others. There are an increasing number of clubs like Everton and Newcastle, who are working on tight financial budgets and placing extreme restrictions and pressures upon their managers.
Newcastle have faced a rather turbulent summer, with manager Alan Pardew still under all sorts of pressure to deliver this season, despite the upheaval and unsteadiness that remains at the club. He is working under severe limitations, with hardly any of the money acquired from the selling of big names being reinvested, decision making out of his control, top players being sold left, right and centre, and an inadequate squad to take into the new season. Despite most aspects of the club being taken out of his control, Pardew will be the one who bears the brunt for decision making, so he simply can’t win in the position he is in.
Pardew is faced with a megalomaniac owner, who seems to want to make money on transfer dealings rather than create a decent side. He has also had to deal with significant unrest at the club, as the top players seem to want out of the mayhem, big players like Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique have all been sold, and it remains to be seen whether Joey Barton will stay, after his Twitter outburst. Pardew now has to work with what he has, which realistically is a thin squad, at a massive football club, where there remains huge expectations from the fans. The fans have always had high hopes at Newcastle, and the board have made all sorts of promises to them over the years which they simply have been unable to deliver on.
Whether it’s Freddie Shepherd’s managerial ins and outs, or the current iron fist of Mike Ashley, it seems that the Newcastle job is a poison chalice, and remains one of the toughest jobs in football. So many good managers have tried and failed at Newcastle over the years, the likes of Sam Allardyce-who lasted just 8 months-Ruud Gullit, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness have all struggled to work within the limitations imposed by the club, and it seems this season will be no different. The lack of stability with the clubs managers over the years, means that Newcastle lack the consistency which is the basis for success at any club. Pardew is under tremendous pressure, the job is almost an impossible one to do, as he faces similar problems to those who have gone before him.
The Everton job has also proved a difficult one over the years and David Moyes is currently facing a similar situation to Pardew’s at Newcastle. He has also had to work within severe restrictions. There is a desperate lack of financial firepower, and Bill Kenwright has failed in his bid to search for investment. Despite this, Moyes has somehow managed to take Everton to a new level, which means the fans expectations are now sky high, which comes with a different type of pressure. However, Everton are unable to progress further with their lack of funds, and these ongoing restraints must be incredibly frustrating for Moyes, as he sees sides around his strengthen and improve. It is difficult to see how Moyes will be able to keep the club static, let alone going forward in the future. Moyes has achieved great things over the last few years in spite of Kenwright’s inability to pump in funds, or sell the club, however these restrictions must be weighing heavy upon him.
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Clubs like Newcastle and Everton have extremely high expectations, yet the the restraints placed upon the managers make it difficult for them to do their job. The restrictions Pardew and Moyes are under are pretty extreme, added to this the weight of expectation of the Newcastle and Everton fans, and we can see that these are arguably the toughest jobs in football right now. Moyes has at least had patience at Everton and has remained in the job for a considerable period of time, providing stability. Unfortunately for Pardew, this kind of patience is something he is unlikely to get. Pardew also has to deal with an intefering owner, and an inability to make any decisions. If he fails to get Newcastle off to a flyer then he may just be the latest casualty of their managerial round-a-bout, and who then would be willing to take on one of the toughest jobs in football?
Who do you think has the toughest job in football? Comment below or follow me on Twitter @LaurenRutter for more comment and debate
Manchester United have been keeping close tabs on FC Twente’s young starlet Ola John, according to Itasportpress.
The 19 year-old Liberian-born Dutchman, who has come through the youth academy at FC Twente, broke into their first team last season and his performances looksto have caught the eye of Manchester United already, as they have been scouting the youngster.
John, brother of former Fulham, Leicester and Watford striker Collins John, is a Holland Under-19 international and has made 13 appearances for Twente so far, scoring one goal.
But John pledged his future to to Twente in December, after signing a new contract at the club through to 2014, on the advice of his older brother Collins.
John said: ”I speak to Collins everyday. He is proud of me and he told me to continue here.”
John also appeared to pour cold water on a potential move to England in the near future, saying: ”In any case it is too early to go to England and FC Twente is a good club so why would I want to leave?”
John is highly regarded in Holland and before last week’s Europa League encounter between Fulham and FC Twente, he revealed that not only were Manchester United interested in his services, but Arsenal too.
”Manchester United and Arsenal wanted me but I think I am still young and can learn a lot at Twente. If you are that good, the opportunity will come again when you are older. Playing in England is my dream of course.”
”You want to play as high as possible so that is my dream. Manchester is a beautiful club and Arsenal too.”
Sir Alex Ferguson has seemed to make it a priority for Manchester United to invest in young talent after signing David De Gea, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the past year. Ola John could potentially be the next young star to join the young revolution at Old Trafford.
Article courtesy of Tariq Saleh from the excellent Transfer Tavern
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Harry Redknapp has stated that he will listen to offers for Roman Pavlyuchenko in the January transfer window, as the Russia international looks set for a move away from White Hart Lane.
The attacker has found first-team opportunities this season limited, as the summer addition of Emmanuel Adebayor has seen the Eastern European largely on the bench.
With Pavlyuchenko keen to be playing regular football in order to ensure a place in Russia’s squad for Euro 2012, Redknapp has admitted a transfer could be in the offing.
“If he wanted to go and it was a good offer, then we would look at that, for sure,” the coach stated in a press conference.
“He’s not a player that I’m looking to move. I like him. He’s a good person, good player. I hope he can have a good season.
“He has to work hard every game. He has to be more consistent. He didn’t have a great pre-season. He hasn’t shown enough this year to be in the team.
“He can score goals, and maybe if he goes on a run, gets an opportunity and score some goals for us…..,” Redknapp concluded.
Pavlyuchenko is likely to feature for the London club against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday night, as Redknapp has played fringe players in previous European fixtures this season.
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