mercury

how can we move on when someone like Anne Williams is still fighting just to know the truth of the circumstances of his son's death? and when McKenzie unrepentently sprouting his trade in the media?

The sound, throughout the match, came out very well here. A simply awesome effort!!

If he is really in the class of Makalele or Xabi, then it's worth doing it at 6m even if he only gets to play for us next season.

A very good point, this.

Agreed entirely. The "lack of athlteicism" is a bit over hyped. He just is no turbo charger.

doh The link to the sheikh's website / official mouth piece: http://www.sheikhmohammed.com/ Links to Dubai Holdings on the site. He's named the Entrepreneur of the Year by the New York Times this year

Abother one from the Daily Mail Benitez offered assurances from prospective new bosses By JOHN EDWARDS Last updated at 22:23pm on 12th December 2006 Productive meeting: Rafael Benitez Rafa Benitez has had his first direct contact with his prospective new bosses and been assured he can start making long-term plans for taking Liverpool back to the top of English football. Any misgivings about Dubai Inernational Capital's intentions, in drawing up a £450million takeover bid, were swept aside as Benitez sat down with the investment group's chief exective Sameer al-Ansari at Anfield and discussed ways of making Liverpool champions for the first time since 1990. As al-Ansari flew back to Dubai, to put the final touches to a deal that could be rubberstamped in the next few days, Benitez opened up on their first face-to-face talks and outlined his growing belief that it could mark the start of a new era of achievement. "I have spoken to the people involved," said the Liverpool manager. "It was a very nice meeting, and, though we did not talk about details of the takeover, they made it clear they want to do the right things for Liverpool in the future. "This will not be a short-term deal. Their idea is to make Liverpool a success in the long term, and that has to be good. They seemed very nice people, and very impressive as well." It is understood al-Ansari has set up two key meetings in Dubai over the next few days. A handful of influential figures among DIC's 10,000 investors will be consulted tomorrow and on Saturday, prior to the group's 11-man board arriving at a final decision over the weekend. If the scheme to become Liverpool's new owners is officially endorsed, as seems almost certain, an announcement could be made on Monday, in an unexpectedly early breakthrough that could yet release extra transfer funds for Benitez in January, let alone at the end of the season. Blackburn right-back Lucas Neill remains the likeliest New Year capture after Benitez narrowly failed to prise him away from Ewood Park during the summer. It is believed the Australia defender is not merely seen as extra insurance for a position that has been left without cover since Jan Krompkamp's departure and that he has been made aware of the possibilities of an immediate starting place. While it may sound a worrying development for current right-back Steve Finnan, Benitez privately maintains the £5million signing from Fulham still has a role to play and that Neill's capture would be an important step towards strengthening the right flank. With Jermaine Pennant yet to justify the £6million he cost Liverpool at the start of the season, it is thought Neill could claim the right-back berth, with Finnan moving forward to provide solidity on the right of midfield. As Benitez considered his options, he could at least rest easy that the recent uncertainty over the club's future direction appeared to be nearing an end. After delving into the financial implications of assuming command at Anfield, the only issue still worrying DIC chiefs is the £200million it will cost to build a new ground at nearby Stanley Park. As with any of their investments, they expect a 10 per cent profit on their outlay by year three of ownership but are fearful that yield target will be missed, if Liverpool remain the sole users of the 60,000-seater state-of-the-art stadium. After completing a fiscal study of the project, they suggested reviving the idea of sharing with neighbours Everton but were eventually talked out of it, in favour of the venue being made available for concerts and other functions as a means of balancing the books. The fortunes wasted on Gerard Houllier signings, such as El Hadji Diouf, Djibril Cisse, Bruno Cheyrou and Salif Diao, also raised eyebrows, and it is understood al-Ansari is particularly keen to avoid falling into the same trap that snared Chelsea after Roman Abramovich's arrival, with asking prices suddenly multiplying at mention of their name. But they are delighted with the co-operation shown by chairman David Moores and have assured Benitez that, while they will look after business concerns, he will have full control of all football matters. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1779 ***** The meeting with Rafa indicates that the deal is likely imminent as Ballague / some papers claimed. If really so, it seems our books do not contain that many dirty secrets as Morgan / press / some here have intimated.

It was weird that Gerrard missed again, and a weak one that was. His penno in the FA Cup was excellent and he has gone on record saying that he has found that spot which keeper couldn't reach.... Kuyt and Speedy could be good choices or another try with Alonso.

I thought Gracia had some very fine touches and cut down his mistakes. Woeful is harsh - same for Riise on 5, though he did let Radzinski slip a couple of times. The whole team played well.

thanks for the news! interesting name....

can only rely on word of mouth here. both Gillet and Dubai seem to be good people, in particular on the non-interference into team biz. On financial muscle, it has to be Dubai. Not expecting (or requiring) them to let us spend Chelsea style (not good for the Club anyway), rather to esnure our financial stability during the building of the new stadium and knowing that there is the ability there for a nice supplement to war chest when needed. Morgan - cannot trust him, not the least on ground share.

well in, Molby, anny. Benitez a mediocre manager?!!???? Well, nothing surprises me anymore!

Much as I am fond of GH, there's no way that is true. The runs and passes are way better and the ball is now a friend! And replacing our captain with Nolan!?

Medical evidence suggested that the marks on the "victim" did not tally with the attack she alleged Bellamy had done. This is the decisive point, quite rightly so, for the judge.

he has been playing badly, predominantly on the right which he has proven to be devastating last season, and if we put him in the middle he'll be good and we'll be good? Not sure this reflects well on him, with the underlying implication he let himself rot to get back to the middle.... My hope is it is his form, with so much football in the past season or two, and given time he'll work himself back, whether on the right or in the middle.

me too. or that it really means "Benitez and I spoke".....

He's not that bad. Defo not for the left though. In the middle he was picking up his game last season after he scored and then get injured. He played well against Chelsea in the Charity Shield, even if they claimed it as a half a*** performance Decent cover with experience in the top flight.

past asking anyone to die for the shirt - that's a bonus. as long as the player gives 100% on the pitch, that's fine. And we cannot argue Mori did not do that - sometimes it hurt to see how hard he tried but just couldn't pull it off, as with some of our new players at the moment.

He's off for the first few matches but gradually played himself into form. The last two or three he's back to himself and against the Gooners, as Maldini has put it, our shining light.

That first post is frightening.

similar comments on Finnan in his first year..... Just give the lads some time to settle.

brilliant responses from our skipper

he makes goals. he never drops his head, keeps trying even things don't come off or bad stuff happens (i.e. stray passes) - that is brave. he loves his football and always stands up for his team mates. love the guy.

well handled. good to know good old values still exist.

This guy loves football!