Katsia Zingarevich is a Belarusian Victoria's Secret
super-model and the other half of super-rich Russian and current Reading owner
Anton Zingarevich.
Sunday 30 June 2013
Thursday 27 June 2013
Ajax Star Could Move
Ajax have already begun making plans to fill a potential
void left by centre-back Toby Alderweireld, by lining up approaches for Mike
van der Hoorn and Lerin Duarte.
Alderweireld has been courted by Liverpool and Bayer
Leverkusen this summer, and appears certain to move abroad.
It means Ajax have some big shoes to fill, as Alderweireld
played 33 times in the Eredivisie and appeared in six Champions League
encounters with two in the Europa League as well.
He has been a mainstay for Ajax, but the club are eyeing FC
Utrecht defender Van der Hoorn as a potential replacement if either Liverpool
or Leverkusen manage the swoop.
Despite a European Under-21 Championship that saw Holland
concede seven goals, being eventually beaten by Spain, Van der Hoorn has been
hailed as a prospect for the future.
Coach Frank de Boer told Voetbal International: "If
Toby Alderweireld leaves, there would be a good right-footed central defender
who can take his place and compete with Joel Veltman [for the centre-back
position]."
Source http://www.insidefutbol.com
Wednesday 26 June 2013
Football Art - Fan Passion
Some great football inspired artwork capturing fan passion
by artist Tomas Castellani.
Tuesday 25 June 2013
LFC Sign Simon Mignolet
Liverpool Football Club have made their fourth signing with
Belgium international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet arriving from Sunderland.
The deal with the Black Cats is now complete and the
25-year-old has penned a long-term contract after passing a medical at Melwood.
He becomes the first Belgian to represent the Reds - and has
been welcomed to the club by manager Brendan Rodgers.
"I am delighted that we have been able to sign one of
the top goalkeepers in the Barclays Premier League," said Rodgers.
"Simon will join a club that will give him an
opportunity to demonstrate and improve his huge talent."
Mignolet is widely regarded as one of the best young
stoppers in Europe and has 13 caps for his country.
Saturday 22 June 2013
LFC Sign Luis Alberto
Liverpool Football Club have today completed the signing of
Spanish forward Luis Alberto from Sevilla, subject to international clearance.
The 20-year-old, who can play anywhere across the attacking
line, has penned a long-term contract after passing a medical at Melwood. He
spent the 2012-13 campaign on loan at Barcelona B, where he notched an
impressive 11 goals - and was devastating with his creativity, providing 17
assists in 38 appearances.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said: "We are all delighted
that Luis has decided to join Liverpool. "He has the correct footballing profile
and mentality to be a Liverpool player. "I look forward to working with
him to develop his talent and he joins a group of young exciting players at our
club."
The Spaniard has represented his country at three different
age levels. He has turned out for the U18s, U19s and made his U21s bow against
Belgium in February.
Managing director Ian Ayre said, It's fantastic news. He's a
player that Brendan identified very early on and the scouting team did a lot of
work on watching him. After that the hard work started in terms of getting the
deal together, both with his club and his agent. We're always pleased when that
comes to fruition. He's a very exciting player and I know Brendan is very
excited about it. So hopefully our fans can be too.
Alberto represents the third piece of business done between
Liverpool and Sevilla. The previous two deals were the Reds' signings of
Spanish defenders Antonio Barragan and Daniel Ayala in 2005 and 2009
respectively.
Friday 21 June 2013
Past Panini’s #4
A look back at some stickers and trading cards from
footballs forgotten past.
Thursday 20 June 2013
RIP James Gandolfini
The unexpected death of actor James Gandolfini has prompted
an outpouring of tributes from fellow actors and fans of his work.
The New Jersey-born star died at the age of 51 after
suffering a suspected heart attack while in Italy.
Gandolfini, who made his mark on TV history as the troubled
crime boss on HBO’s smash drama The Sopranos.
Thank you James Gandolfini for some of the most brilliant TV
moments of all time.
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Henrikh Mkhitaryan Latest
Liverpool are close to sealing the deal with Henrikh
Mkhitaryan and taking him back to their place.
The Armenia midfielder will have a medical this week ahead
of a £23million move to Anfield.
Yet there is still a lot of people who have much to learn
about the Shakhtar man - who represents a massive coup for the Reds.
Source http://www.mirror.co.uk
Tuesday 18 June 2013
Sevilla On LFC Interest
Sevilla have confirmed they have received bids from
Liverpool and Aston Villa for striker Luis Alberto and defender Antonio Luna
respectively.
Alberto, 20, spent last season on loan at Barcelona B where
he scored 11 times in 38 games while Luna, a 22-year old left-back, spent the
second half of the campaign at Mallorca after only making a handful of
appearances for Unai Emery's side.
The duo could now be heading for the Premier League this
summer after Sevilla's director of football Ramon Verdejo admitted there have
been offers for the two players.
"Liverpool's interest in Luis is real, but nothing has
been signed. They've made the player a very important offer," he told
Sevilla's official TV channel, La Bombonera.
"I recall that much of a fuss was made when we loaned
him out. As it stands, we all agree that he now has a better value in the
market and has grown as a footballer.
"Is it a good deal to sell him for the figures they
speak of? The offer we have on the table is a very good one with respect to where
Luis is currently.
"We don't know what will happen in the future. To date,
we haven't accepted the offer."
Source http://www.skysports.com
Monday 17 June 2013
RIP Geoff Strong
Former
Liverpool FC star Geoff Strong has died, aged 75.
The club confirmed
that Strong, who had battled bravely against Alzheimer's disease in recent
years, passed away peacefully on Monday morning at his Southport care home.
Strong, who
signed from Arsenal for £40,000 after having scored against the Reds at Anfield
on two occasions for the Gunners, made 201 appearances for the Reds between
1964 and 1970, scoring 33 goals.
He was part
of the team that clinched the club's first ever FA Cup win under Bill Shankly
in 1965 but is best remembered for his role in helping Liverpool reach the
European Cup Winners Cup Final the following season.
In the
first round, Strong was on the scoresheet in a 2-0 Anfield win over Italian
champions Juventus as the Reds overturned one-goal deficit from the first-leg
in Turin but it was in the second leg of the semi-final against Glasgow Celtic
that Strong wrote his name into LFC folklore.
Again the
Reds were a goal behind after the first leg away from home and over 54,000,
including many from north of the border, packed into Anfield for the
much-anticipated 'Battle of Britain'.
Jock
Stein's side were just a year away from becoming the first British side to win
the European Cup and it took Liverpool an hour to level the scores when Tommy
Smith drove home a free kick.
There were
already in effect playing with ten men as Strong has picked up a leg injury
but, as substitutes were still a year away from coming into effect, he stayed
on the pitch and managed to get his head to Ian Callaghan's cross on 67 minutes
to score the crucial winning goal that sent Liverpool into the Final at Hampden
Park.
That proved
to be his final game of the season but he did play enough games to qualify for
a championship medal as Shankly's men won their second title in three years.
Strong's
versatility proved to be one of greatest attributes, playing in almost every
outfield position for the club before leaving in 1970. He also represented
Stanley United and Coventry City in an 18-year career.
Saturday 15 June 2013
LFC Close In On Keeper
Liverpool are closing in on the signing of Sunderland goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet, ESPN understands.
Mignolet, named player of the season at the Stadium of
Light, has emerged as a key target for Brendan Rodgers this summer.
A fee has yet to be agreed for the £10 million-rated Belgium
international, but Liverpool are hopeful that a deal can be struck within the
next week and it is understood Sunderland are open to selling a player who has
two years remaining on his contract.
The Sunderland Echo has reported that Liverpool had an
initial bid of £6.5m rejected, but Anfield sources are optimistic that a
compromise can be found, which would leave the 25-year-old - who is currently
on holiday - free to discuss personal terms.
Rodgers has already signed central defender Kolo Toure on a
free transfer from Manchester City, while a deal has been agreed in principle
to sign striker Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo for £7.7m.
Source http://www.espn.co.uk
Rodgers Has Mkhitaryan In His Sights
Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to secure Armenian
midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan for £20 million as Brendan Rodgers sets his
sights on his first major summer signing.
The Merseyside club are preparing a formal approach to the
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk for the 24-year-old.
Mkhitaryan has become one of the most highly sought
attacking midfielders in Europe and if Liverpool can lure the player despite
the absence of European football at Anfield next season it would represent
quite a coup.
Rodgers made Mkhitaryan his prime target when assembling his
list of summer recruits.
Friday 14 June 2013
LFC Target Mkhitaryan & Four More Targets
Liverpool have agreed a deal in principal to sign Celta Vigo
forward Iago Aspas.
The transfer, believed to be costing the Reds about
£7.7million, will be finalised once the necessary documentation has been
completed.
The 25-year-old becomes manager Brendan Rodgers' second
signing of the summer, having already brought in Manchester City centre-back
Kolo Toure on a free transfer.
Liverpool have been tracking Aspas for some time and the
move has been in the pipeline for the last few weeks.
Celta Vigo's successful fight against relegation from the
Primera Division on the final day of the season earlier this month held up
progress.
Once their future was secured the Reds were able to advance
the deal, although it took slightly longer than expected because of
complications at the Spanish end.
Aspas, who scored 12 goals in 34 league appearances last
season, was on Merseyside earlier this week for a medical and once that was
completed it was just a question of ironing out some red tape issues with
Celta.
Liverpool are also hopeful a deal can be done for Sevilla
youngster Luis Alberto.
The 20-year-old has been on loan at Barcelona B but today
was the deadline for the Catalan club to offer the midfielder a permanent
contract.
Having tracked the youngster's progress and made it clear to
his parent club they are interested in a deal Liverpool are optimistic they can
add the promising talent to their ranks.
Rodgers is keen to get as much of his business done as
quickly as possible and they have made a move to bring in Sporting Lisbon's
20-year-old defender Tiago Ilori while attempts are being made to secure the
services of Schalke centre-back Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Liverpool have also been linked with Sunderland goalkeeper
Simon Mignolet and Shakhtar Donetsk's Armenia midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Wednesday 12 June 2013
Four Players Linked
Liverpool FC boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted Liverpool
cannot afford to make mistakes in the transfer market this summer if they are
to become credible top-four contenders.
And will add Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas to his ranks with
Schalke's Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Sevilla winger Luis Alberto following suit.
Meanwhile, in other Liverpool FC transfer rumours, Ajax
defender Toby Alderweireld is targeting a move to the Premier League, with the
Reds eager to swoop.
Monday 10 June 2013
Boss TV - Breaking Bad
When Vince Gilligan pitched “Breaking Bad” to AMC, he
presented a mission statement, which amounted to a monumental spoiler: he would
turn Mr. Chips into Scarface. The show’s protagonist was Walter White (Bryan
Cranston) is a high school chemistry teacher working a second job to support
his family: his pregnant wife, Skyler (Anna Gunn), and his teenage son, Walt
Jr. (R.J. Mitte), who has cerebral palsy. Desperately hard up for money and
constantly put down by those around him, Walt reaches the breaking point when
he's diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He connects with former student
Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) to start making and selling methamphetamines in
order to raise money for his struggling family.
Vince Gilligan has learned from his time on "The
X-Files." That show gave Gilligan an education in how to get an audience
hooked and keep them on the edge of their seats, and Gilligan has never
forgotten those lessons. If anything, he and his writers have inventively
expanded on them during "Breaking Bad's" nail-biting five-season run.
There are elements of The Godfather and The Sopranos in Breaking Bad "If
you're going to steal, steal from the best," says Gilligan.
Set against the dusty, acrid atmosphere of New Mexico, the perfect
place for some meth cooking in the old camper van. At its core, “Breaking Bad”
has charted the moral descent of its central character, Walter White, Cranston’s
performance takes us on a journey with Walt -- from the henpecked husband and
chemistry teacher to underpants sporting meth maker to would-be kingpin alter
ego the murderous “Heisenberg” with his iconic pork pie hat, each step he takes
up the criminal ladder has fed the monster within as he gets further and
further from who he was. Even though Walter is the lead character, Jesse
Pinkman is the heart of the show His character was supposed to be written off
after the first seven episodes, but actor Aaron Paul absolutely nailed the
character and turned him into a fan favorite.
His partnership with Walt is pure television gold as the two
are such an unlikely pair, yet they actually compliment each other. Jesse is a
dope addict and dealer who is stuck in an awful pattern of bad life choice
after bad life choice. But his connections on the street provide the cash flow
that Walter needs for this meth experiment to work. As for Albuquerque’s
finest, his cooking provides Jesse with the best product he’s ever seen and
lets him move up the chain in the local drug scene.
"All Bad things must come to an end."
That's the tagline for the second half of Breaking Bad's
fifth and final season, which premieres August 11 on AMC. Vince
Gilligan recently admitted that he wept after writing the final episode of the
show. "I haven't told my crew this, I actually cried writing the end."
Breaking Bad season 5 concludes in August will be available
only on Netflix in the UK.
Sporting Reject LFC Bid
Sporting Lisbon sources have told Sky Sports they have
rejected an initial offer from Liverpool for defender Tiago Ilori.
The Premier League side are understood to have been locked
in talks with Sporting and reportedly had a delegation in Portugal over the
weekend.
The Reds were willing to pay around £3million for Ilori, but
Sporting are said to want a deal worth double that.
"The doors are open to negotiate, but for a just
price," a source confirmed to Sky Sports.
"We are not disposed to sell any of our players this
summer."
Sporting are currently not in the best shape financially,
but it is believed they have offered Ilori a new contract.
Source http://www.skysports.com
Friday 7 June 2013
Aspas To Have Medical
Liverpool have fended off late interest from Tottenham to
agree terms with Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas.
The Reds had a £7.7million bid for Aspas accepted last week
but the transfer stalled with a handful of other clubs also expressing an
interest.
Portuguese giants Benfica and La Liga side Valencia are
thought to have made counter offers for the striker, while Spurs also made an
approach having held an interest for most of the season.
However, Aspas has set his heart on a switch to Anfield, and
has snubbed other offers to agree terms with Liverpool.
The 25-year-old is now expected on Meryseside early next week
to complete the transfer.
Aspas will sign a four-year-deal worth around
£45,000-a-week, and moves to England having bagged 12 goals in 34 matches last
season.
Tuesday 4 June 2013
Mkhitaryan Top Of Rodgers Wish List
Liverpool are weighing up a move to bring in Armenia
international Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk, ESPN understands.
Mkhitaryan, who scored 25 goals from midfield in the
Ukrainian Premier League last season, is likely to cost more than £20 million.
The 24-year-old is under contract with Shakhtar until 2015,
but suggested in March that he would be looking to move on after his side were
knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Borussia Dortmund.
The attacking midfielder has since been linked with Chelsea,
Manchester City and Barcelona, but Liverpool have been tracking him too.
It is understood that owners Fenway Sports Group have not
been put off by the player's price tag, and are prepared to sanction an offer
for Mkhitaryan, who was Armenia's player of the year in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
Source http://www.espn.co.uk
Aspas Wants Anfield Move
Liverpool target Iago Aspas has received plenty of transfer
offers, but is still set on a move to Anfield this summer according to sources
in Spain.
As we exclusively reported a fortnight ago, negotiations
were underway between Liverpool and Aspas and last week they agreed personal
terms on a switch.
The livewire forward helped Celta Vigo maintain their La
Liga status at the weekend as they achieved final-day survival by beating
Espanyol.
This meant that Aspas' release clause remained at
€10million, a price that forced several sides - including Valencia - to
withdraw their interest in the 25-year-old, but plenty are still prepared to
rival Liverpool for his signature.
"Celta have more offers than just the one from
Liverpool," a deal insider told Mirror Football.
"There are offers from other Premier League sides, and
from Italian and German teams that have qualified for the Champions League.
"They also have a very good offer from Benfica.
"However," he added, "Iago wants to play in
England, and his preference is still for Liverpool."
"I believe this will all be resolved either this week
or next."
Liverpool are also trying to secure a deal for long-term
target Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder keen for a move
to one of Europe's big leagues this summer.
Source http://www.mirror.co.uk
Saturday 1 June 2013
Suarez Latest
Liverpool FC have warned Luis Suarez they have no intention
of granting him a quick exit from Anfield this summer.
The Reds are refusing to admit defeat in their battle to
keep the prolific striker, who has his sights set on forcing through a move to
Real Madrid.
The ECHO understands that reports in Spain that Suarez has a
£40million buy-out clause in his contract are incorrect.
Liverpool remain determined to keep the Uruguayan and even
if Suarez submitted a transfer request it would take a bid well in excess of
that figure for the Reds to consider selling their 30-goal top scorer.
Club officials have rubbished Suarez's claims in South
America that he has already told Liverpool he wants to leave.
“Luis Suarez is not for sale,” it read.
“Neither Luis nor his representatives have communicated
their feelings to Liverpool Football Club.
“The club remains supportive of Luis and expect him to
honour his contract. We will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
Liverpool broke their silence after Suarez's latest
interview in Uruguay where he is preparing for next Wednesday's friendly
against France.
The 26-year-old, who is currently serving a 10-game domestic
ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, once again bemoaned his treatment
at the hands of the English media and said he was disillusioned with life on
Merseyside as his family were “suffering”.
Suarez denied that his desire to move to Spain was motivated
by money but rather an ambition to play in La Liga.
“My coach (Brendan Rodgers) and my colleagues know what I
went through,” Suarez said.
“I was mistreated, the media didn't treat me well. They know
that perfectly, and I think it'll be understandable if one day I get to leave
Liverpool.
“Because of the paparazzi I couldn't take my child to the
park, I could not go to the supermarket.
“I have a daughter to look after, she's important and I
think I should put her out of that environment.
“Every day there are pictures mocking me, nobody came
forward to defend me. I do not want her to hear bad things about her father.
“I'd rather change because of that, it doesn't have anything
to do with Liverpool. I'd love to play in another league too.
“My reason for leaving is not the money. If it was down to
economics I would have already left for the countries that have been mentioned.
“I am prioritising my family, my image. I don’t feel
comfortable any more. The club knows perfectly what I think.
“I have a contract with Liverpool but they know it's
difficult because of the harassment I receive from the press there.”
Suarez's words contradicted those of his agent Pere
Guardiola who had told Liverpool 24 hours earlier that the player remained
happy at Anfield.
Boss Brendan Rodgers feared Suarez would turn his back on
English football after he was hit with the 10-game ban for biting in April but
retained hope that the club's support over the controversy would convince him
to stay loyal.
Suarez's comments in South America this week have come as a
surprise to both Rodgers and managing director Ian Ayre as he had not informed
either of them of his desire to leave.
Reports in Spain suggest Real Madrid are preparing a
£40million bid as they look to make Suarez their marquee summer signing.
However, they may need to offer in excess of the club record
£50million Liverpool received from Chelsea for Fernando Torres in 2011 in order
to get their man.
What is clear is that Liverpool won't give up on keeping
Suarez without a fight as they know a player of his talent would be difficult
to replace regardless of the fee they receive.
However, they are also desperate to ensure this doesn't drag
on into a summer-long saga.
Follow @Glady_Libs_LFC
LFC In For Villa
David Villa is definitely coming to the Premier League this
summer, and Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all in for the Barcelona
striker.
Spain international Villa has told his advisers he wants a
move to England and has now been given the green light by Barca to negotiate a
deal.
The 31-year-old wants regular first-team football in what
will be World Cup year and can leave the Nou Camp for £12million.
Arsenal, who were keen on Villa in January, are the only
ones of the three Prem heavyweights who can offer him Champions League football
next season, but he is no longer top of the Gunners' striker shopping-list.
Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas knows Villa personally and
has been in touch.
The White Hart Lane club are also offering the best financial
package, but their failure to get into the Champions League may cost them.
Source http://www.mirror.co.uk
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