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Dedication is key for Carragher

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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says his strong character has kept him playing at the top level since 1997.

Carragher, 32, celebrates his 15th season at Anfield, with a testimonial against an Everton XI on Saturday.

“I’d say I was good enough to play Premier League football,” he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“To play for Liverpool I probably needed to add something and I think my dedication, desire and commitment has made me play at the level I’ve played.”

Carragher scored on his full Anfield debut against Aston Villa in 1997, playing as a central midfielder.

He later spent a few seasons playing at both left and right-back before building a solid reputation as a centre-half under Rafa Benitez.

Carragher was a precocious talent at schoolboy level with England but he attributes his rise to the top, in part, to his strong work ethic.

“There were lots of players playing for England under-16’s and we were all as good as each other and then different players, for whatever reason ended up in non-league and the lower leagues.

“Sometimes you scratch your head and wonder why because we were all as equally talented as each other,” added Carragher.

“Maybe that’s one of the reasons why certain players go a bit further, maybe the mental side.”

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Despite preparing for his testimonial, from which all profits will go to his charitable foundation, Carragher says he is not intending to hang up his boots just yet.

“He [Roy Hodgson] is the main man and it’s up to him to decide if I play but I’ll keep doing what I always do, training well and try to make it as hard as possible for him not to pick me.”

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Mascherano seals Barcelona move

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Javier Mascherano has completed his 17.25m move from Liverpool to Barcelona after passing a medical with the Spanish giants on Monday.

The 26-year-old Argentina captain underwent a five-hour “exhaustive” review, according to Barcelona’s team doctor Ricard Pruna.

“The truth is it’s a dream, it’s a great joy,” Mascherano told Barca TV.

“It is a great club with great players and I will try to adapt as quickly as I possibly can,” added the star.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has criticised the player’s attitude labelling the switch as “selfish”.

“Players have got something they want to do and they just expect the club to bow down and accept it,” he said.

“Unfortunately there are going to be periods of time when there will be some unpleasantness because players must also understand that when you sign contracts you sign contracts to play.”

The transfer had been drawn out by Liverpool’s insistence on recouping the 18m they paid for former River Plate midfielder Mascherano when he arrived from West Ham.

The Anfield outfit had rejected an initial bid of 16m from Barcelona but he subsequently missed the Premier League defeat to Manchester City and the trip to Trabzonspor, where Liverpool secured a place in the group stages of the Europa League with a 3-1 aggregate win.

Mascherano joined Liverpool from West Ham in 2007, initially on a loan deal that was turned into a four-year contract in 2008.

Barcelona failed in an attempt to lure him to Spain last summer but on his return from the World Cup in July, Mascherano made it clear he wanted to leave Anfield, saying his wife could not settle in England.

Since taking charge of Liverpool in July, Hodgson had been eager to end the uncertainty surrounding Mascherano’s future.

Liverpool also received a bid from Inter Milan, now coached by Hodgson’s predecessor Rafael Benitez.

But former Fulham boss Hodgson dismissed the offer from the Italian side saying: “We received a fax about Mascherano [from Inter], but it was a joke fax.”

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Liverpool 1-0 West Brom

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Spain striker Fernando Torres volleyed in to give an unconvincing Liverpool victory over West Brom at Anfield.

Torres struck his first goal of the season by clinically converting a Dirk Kuyt cross from the edge of the box.

The Spaniard was denied a second when Baggies keeper Scott Carson blocked his far post shot at point-blank range.

The Reds were denied a late penalty for an apparent Gonzalo Jara handball before the visitors had James Morrison red-carded for a tackle on Torres.

The numerical advantage helped the Merseysiders close out the game as they were relieved to record their first league win of the season, albeit courtesy of a rare moment of quality in an encounter which had plenty going on before kick-off.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson

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Hodgson happy with ‘tough’ win

Liverpool’s new signing Raul Meireles was presented to the crowd and left-back Paul Konchesky was also at Anfield to finalise a proposed move from Fulham.

The arrivals, even though Javier Mascherano is set to leave for Barcelona, will have added to the air of optimism sweeping through Anfield, although the Reds have so far failed to mirror that sentiment with performances and results this season.

And, when the focus of attention switched to the pitch, it was the same again for the home side as the industry of the Baggies served to frustrate a Liverpool side playing like strangers.

The Reds were too pedestrian and predictable and seemed unsure in possession as opposed to a West Brom side who grew in confidence as each of Liverpool’s forward forays continually and harmlessly broke down.

The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away for Martin Skrtel pulling Jonas Olsson, while Torres thought he might have had a spot-kick for his shirt being tugged in the visitors’ box.

Skrtel fizzed a shot just high of the visitors’ goal but, while the Merseysiders were in sloppy mood, the Baggies could not capitalise as Marc-Antoine Fortune had a strike saved and were limited to speculative efforts from distance.

Torres had not scored in 10 games for club and country going into the match and was looking a shadow of his devastating best as he nursed his way back to match fitness from injury.

However, after the Reds survived a scare with goalkeeper Pepe Reina saving from Jara, Torres showed his quality and worth to his team by finishing off a Reds counter-attack with a volley from Kuyt’s cross.

The Spain striker almost added another when found by a Steven Gerrard cross to the far post only for Carson to block his far post strike.

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo

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Di Matteo proud of West Brom performance

The Anfield side are clearly a work in progress as manager Roy Hodgson reinforces his squad and, in tandem, tries to embed his style on the side.

However, buoyed by the goal Torres thought he should have had a spot-kick when Jara seemed to block his effort with his arm.

Torres was the target of an over-zealous, rather than malicious, challenge which resulted in Morrison being sent off before the home side negotiated some anxious late moments to earn their first three points under manager Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson:
“There are one or two minor details that need to be sorted (but) we hope to tie up

a deal for Paul Konchesky

in the next couple of days”.

West Brom boss Roberto di Matteo:
“I watched it (the sending-off) again and it looks a bit harsh.

“I don’t think there was any intention to hurt anyone. I think a yellow card would have been appropriate.

“We are massively disappointed. We put in a good performance against a very good team and we’ve got nothing.”

Live text and stats

Sunday, 29 August 2010

Premier League

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+3:14 The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00+2:40 The ball is crossed by Jonas Olsson.
90:00+2:23 Attacking throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
90:00+2:10 Attacking throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
90:00+2:05 Somen Tchoyi produces a cross, clearance by Jamie Carragher.
90:00+1:57 Cross by Nicky Shorey (West Brom), clearance by Christian Poulsen (Liverpool).
90:00+0:47 Somen Tchoyi gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Daniel Agger. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
89:25 Cross by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool), header by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by
Scott Carson (West Brom).
88:28 Substitution Ryan Babel replaces Fernando Torres.
87:36 Free kick awarded for a foul by Fernando Torres on Nicky Shorey. Chris Brunt crosses the ball, Gabriel Tamas produces a right-footed
shot from the edge of the area and misses to the left of the goal.
87:21 Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
87:14 Cross by Somen Tchoyi (West Brom), clearance by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool).
85:00 Direct free kick taken left-footed by Daniel Agger (Liverpool) from left wing, resulting in open play.
85:00 Sent off James Morrison (West Brom) dismissed for serious foul play.
85:00 Foul by James Morrison (West Brom) on Fernando Torres (Liverpool).
84:26 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
84:11 Shot by Somen Tchoyi (West Brom) left-footed from right wing (20 yards), missed right.
83:54 Defending throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
Correction – 83:13 Steven Gerrard takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, clearance made by Gabriel Tamas.
83:13 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) to centre, clearance by Gabriel Tamas
(West Brom).
82:56 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Gonzalo Jara.
81:55 Somen Tchoyi challenges Leiva Lucas unfairly and gives away a free kick. Jose Reina takes the free kick.
81:10 Substitution West Brom substitution: Marc-Antoine Fortune replaced by Chris Wood (tactical).
80:35 Peter Odemwingie takes a shot. Save made by Jose Reina.
79:23 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
78:53 The ball is sent over by Chris Brunt, Daniel Agger makes a clearance.
77:44 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
76:40 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
75:47 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
74:50 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Chris Brunt.
74:50 Substitution Graham Dorrans goes off and Somen Tchoyi comes on.
74:35 Cross by Peter Odemwingie (West Brom), blocked by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
74:18 A cross is delivered by Glen Johnson, Gonzalo Jara manages to make a clearance.
73:54 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
73:26 Shot by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Scott Carson (West Brom).
72:32 Corner taken right-footed by Graham Dorrans from the left by-line to the near post, clearance by Daniel Agger.
72:22 Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
Correction – 71:42 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save.
71:42 Shot by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), blocked by Scott Carson (West
Brom).
71:06 Foul by Christian Poulsen (Liverpool) on Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey
(West Brom) from left channel, resulting in open play.
70:59 Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
69:05 Foul by James Morrison (West Brom) on Leiva Lucas (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jose Reina (Liverpool)
from own half, resulting in open play.
68:14 Goal kick taken long by Scott Carson (West Brom).
67:50 Foul by Chris Brunt (West Brom) on Glen Johnson (Liverpool). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Jose Reina (Liverpool)
from own half, resulting in open play.
67:23 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
67:03 Peter Odemwingie has an effort at goal from outside the area which misses left.
66:23 Youssouf Mulumbu fouled by Fernando Torres, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by James Morrison.
64:54 Assist on the goal came from Dirk Kuyt.
64:54 GOAL – Fernando Torres:Liverpool 1 – 0 West Brom Fernando Torres gets on the score sheet with a goal from just outside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal.
Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.
Correction – 64:39 Assist (pass) by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) from left wing.
Correction – 64:39 GOAL – Fernando Torres:Liverpool 1 – 0 West Brom Goal by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left channel (20 yards).Liverpool 1-0 West Brom.
Correction – 64:39 Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Blocked by Daniel Agger. Gonzalo Jara takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.
64:39 Shot by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom) right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
Shot by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom) left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), assist by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool) from
left wing.Save (caught) by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
64:19 Shot by Rodriguez Maxi (Liverpool) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Gabriel Tamas (West Brom).
63:44 Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
62:37 Steven Gerrard delivers the ball, Chris Brunt makes a clearance.
62:03 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Rodriguez Maxi (Liverpool) to near post, clearance by Graham Dorrans
(West Brom).
59:31 Fernando Torres sends in a cross, Shot from just outside the box by Martin Skrtel misses to the right of the target.
58:56 Outswinging corner taken by Steven Gerrard from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Chris Brunt.
58:56 Substitution Rodriguez Maxi comes on in place of Milan Jovanovic.
57:32 Cross by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), save (caught) by Scott Carson (West Brom).
56:40 Attacking throw-in by Graham Dorrans (West Brom).
56:03 Goal kick taken long by Scott Carson (West Brom).
55:19 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
55:09 Shot by Graham Dorrans (West Brom) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
53:52 Foul by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) on Jonas Olsson (West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Scott Carson (West
Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
53:43 Attacking throw-in by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).
53:25 Nicky Shorey delivers the ball, Glen Johnson makes a clearance.
51:55 Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
51:46 Shot by Graham Dorrans (West Brom) right-footed from left channel (30 yards), missed right.
49:26 Shot by Chris Brunt (West Brom) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Christian Poulsen (Liverpool).
48:59 Goal kick taken long by Scott Carson (West Brom).
48:44 Steven Gerrard has an effort at goal from 35 yards and missed to the right of the target.
48:21 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
48:09 Shot by James Morrison (West Brom) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), missed left.
47:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by Leiva Lucas on Chris Brunt. Scott Carson restarts play with the free kick.
45:23 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
45:01 The referee gets the second half started.
Half Time
45:00+1:10 The ref blows to signal half-time.
45:00+0:43 James Morrison has an effort at goal from long range that misses to the right of the target.
45:00+0:12 Gonzalo Jara fouled by Fernando Torres, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Gabriel Tamas.
43:19 Foul by Glen Johnson (Liverpool) on Youssouf Mulumbu (West Brom). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Nicky Shorey (West
Brom) from own half, resulting in open play.
38:47 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
37:56 James Morrison produces a cross, Jamie Carragher makes a clearance.
37:24 Graham Dorrans takes a inswinging corner from the left by-line to the near post, Steven Gerrard manages to make a clearance.
36:52 Fernando Torres (Liverpool) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Gabriel Tamas (West Brom) from own half,
resulting in open play.
36:25 Attacking throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
36:06 Defending throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
35:43 Attacking throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
35:07 Milan Jovanovic takes the inswinging corner, clearance by Youssouf Mulumbu.
34:59 Steven Gerrard takes the inswinging corner, Youssouf Mulumbu makes a clearance.
34:27 Foul by Gonzalo Jara on Milan Jovanovic, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Steven Gerrard.
34:11 Cross by Glen Johnson (Liverpool), clearance by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).
32:28 Cross by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), clearance by Jonas Olsson (West Brom).
31:24 Cross by Glen Johnson (Liverpool), clearance by Gabriel Tamas (West Brom).
31:18 Attacking throw-in by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool).
30:50 Leiva Lucas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Graham Dorrans. Youssouf Mulumbu takes the free kick.
30:11 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
30:00 Cross by Chris Brunt (West Brom), resulting in ball out of play.
29:38 The ball is swung over by Chris Brunt, Martin Skrtel makes a clearance.
29:10 Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
28:27 Cross by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom), clearance by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool).
28:06 Chris Brunt takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.
27:15 Defending throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
26:47 Goal kick taken short by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
26:19 Attacking throw-in by Gonzalo Jara (West Brom).
25:46 Chris Brunt takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Steven Gerrard.
24:03 Defending throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
22:51 Shot by Marc-Antoine Fortune (West Brom) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Jose Reina
(Liverpool).
22:07 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Graham Dorrans (West Brom) to near post, clearance by Steven Gerrard
(Liverpool).
19:52 Goal kick taken long by Scott Carson (West Brom).
19:32 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
19:10 Attacking throw-in by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
18:49 Goal kick taken short by Scott Carson (West Brom).
18:33 Steven Gerrard takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
16:56 Foul by Gabriel Tamas (West Brom) on Fernando Torres (Liverpool). Free kick crossed right-footed by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
from left wing, clearance by Gabriel Tamas (West Brom).
15:48 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
15:36 Shot by Marc-Antoine Fortune from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
Correction – 14:56 Goal kick taken short by Scott Carson (West Brom).
14:56 Goal kick taken long by Scott Carson (West Brom).
14:44 Shot by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.
13:08 Foul by Christian Poulsen on Graham Dorrans, free kick awarded. Youssouf Mulumbu takes the direct free kick.
12:43 The assistant referee signals for offside against Peter Odemwingie. Jose Reina takes the indirect free kick.
12:19 Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
10:36 Defending throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
7:56 Corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard to the near post, Graham Dorrans makes a clearance.
7:39 Shot by Fernando Torres (Liverpool) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Gabriel Tamas (West
Brom).
7:27 Centre by Glen Johnson, clearance by Gabriel Tamas.
5:50 Defending throw-in by Daniel Agger (Liverpool).
3:23 Goal kick taken long by Jose Reina (Liverpool).
3:09 James Morrison produces a right-footed shot from outside the penalty box and misses left.
2:43 Fernando Torres takes a shot. Scott Carson makes a save.
1:57 Defending throw-in by Jamie Carragher (Liverpool).
1:30 Attacking throw-in by Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool).
1:12 Handball by Graham Dorrans (West Brom). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Leiva Lucas (Liverpool) from own half, resulting
in open play.
0:40 Graham Dorrans challenges Steven Gerrard unfairly and gives away a free kick. Glen Johnson takes the free kick.
0:19 Attacking throw-in by Nicky Shorey (West Brom).
0:00 The match begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

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Liverpool close on Konchesky deal

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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says he expects to sign Fulham left-back Paul Konchesky “in the next couple of days”.

Reports suggest Konchesky, 29, would move to Anfield with Liverpool’s reserve striker Lauri Dalla Valle going to Craven Cottage as part of the deal.

“There are one or two minor details that need to be sorted,” said Hodgson after Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Brom.

Hodgson added that he hoped to make another acquisition before the transfer window closed at 1800 BST on Tuesday.

But the 63-year-old Reds boss moved to cool speculation that it would be PSV Eindhoven forward Ola Toivenen he would be signing.

“If we can I’d like to bring in one more player and that would be excellent,” added Hodgson.

“We are short [in the striking department] so we don’t need to disguise the fact that it would be nice to get a striker but they are very hard to come by.

“If the right man comes along I know that the club are prepared to act but I don’t want to act on the wrong man and just add another body to the club.

“It would have to be someone who could really play alongside Fernando [Torres] and, in my opinion, improve us as a team.

“I like Ola Toivonen but he’s not the right type of player that we are looking for at the moment.”

Konchesky, who watched from the stands as Liverpool registered their first league win of the season, moved to Fulham in July 2007 from West Ham on a four-year deal.

He has two England caps and made his international debut in 2003.

The Barking-born player was a West Ham academy trainee before leaving to join Charlton, and went on to make 169 appearances for the Addicks.

In 2005, West Ham bought Konchesky back in a deal worth 1.5m and he made 62 appearances for the east London side.

On Friday, Hodgson’s former club Fulham completed the signing of Mexico international left-back Carlos Salcido from PSV.

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Liverpool complete Meireles deal

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Meireles scored for Portugal against North Korea at the World Cup (UK only)

Liverpool have signed Portugal midfielder Raul Meireles on a four-year deal from Porto.

The Reds have paid 14m euros (11.5m) for the 27-year-old who has 38 caps.

The Portuguese is a combative player and is seen as a natural replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is poised to complete a move to Barcelona.

“Liverpool are a historic club and I am happy for the move. Roy Hodgson was key because he worked so hard to get me,” Meireles told the Liverpool website.

“It has been a long time coming but finally I have achieved my dream of playing in England.”

Meireles has joined Milan Jovanovic, Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson in moving to Anfield this summer.

He played in all four of his country’s games at the 2010 World Cup finals – Portugal succumbed to eventual winners Spain in the last 16 in South Africa.

In six years at Porto, the former Boavista and Aves player won four Portuguese league titles.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson has swooped for Meireles after the Anfield club agreed a fee, believed to 17.25m, with Barca for Argentina captain Javier Mascherano.

Hodgson’s midfield options have been further depleted by the departure of Italian Alberto Aquilani to Juventus on a year-long loan deal.

Meanwhile, Hodgson is also believed to be on the verge of taking left-back Paul Konchesky from his previous club Fulham, and has been strongly linked with PSV Eindhoven’s Swedish striker Ola Toivonen.

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Barca to sign £17.25m Mascherano

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Liverpool have sold midfielder Javier Mascherano to Barcelona for about 17.25m, BBC Sport understands.

The deal is subject to the 26-year-old Argentina captain passing a medical with the Catalan giants.

Barcelona confirmed on their website: “The clubs have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Mascherano for the next four seasons.”

“Barcelona will report the details once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded.”

And the Barca statement continued: “The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations.

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“It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend.”

Liverpool had been keen to recoup the 18m they paid for former River Plate midfielder Mascherano when he arrived from West Ham.

The Anfield outfit had rejected an initial bid of 16m from Barcelona seven days ago but he subsequently missed Monday’s defeat by Manchester City and Thursday’s trip to Trabzonspor, where Liverpool secured a place in the group stages of the Europa League with a 3-1 aggregate win.

Mascherano joined Liverpool from West Ham in 2007, initially on a loan deal that was turned into a four-year contract in 2008.

Since taking charge of Liverpool in July, manager Roy Hodgson had been eager to end the uncertainty surrounding Mascherano’s future.

“I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another,” stated Hodgson on Thursday. “Although I have no idea which way that will be.”

Liverpool have also received a bid for Mascherano from Inter Milan, now coached by Hodgson’s Reds predecessor Rafael Benitez.

But former Fulham boss Hodgson dismissed the offer from the Italian side saying: “We received a fax about Mascherano [from Inter], but it was a joke fax.”

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Meanwhile, Inter have also been linked with a move for Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt.

However, following the victory over Trabzonspor the Dutch World Cup finalist committed his future to Anfield.

“I have had a great time here so far and hope my future here will be great as well and that I can win trophies with Liverpool,” said Kuyt.

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Liverpool v West Brom

Filed under: Liverpool by: admin

Live text and stats

Sunday, 29 August 2010

Premier League

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Anfield Date: Sunday, 29 August Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, full match commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 1485 AM and DAB & highlights on Match of the Day 2

Liverpool will hope to have striker Fernando Torres and captain Steven Gerrard back after both were rested for the Europa League trip to Trabzonspor.

Midfielder Joe Cole serves the second game of a three-match ban.

West Brom will be without defender Marek Cech for at least three weeks with a fractured metatarsal.

Midfielder Jerome Thomas, defender Joe Mattock and striker Ishmael Miller will all miss the trip to Anfield through injury.

Liverpool

Suspended: Cole (two matches)

Doubtful: Agger (concussion), Gerrard (back), Rodriguez (virus)

West Brom

Injured: Cech (foot), Mattock & Thomas (both ankle), Miller (thigh)

Roberto di Matteo wasn’t even born the last time West Bromwich Albion won at Anfield, but the Midlands club may never get a better chance to end that sequence.

Baggies fans have to go all the way back to 1967 for their last success at Liverpool, a run of 23 games. But they head to Merseyside to face a team in transition. The Reds are still looking for their first Premier League win under Roy Hodgson and have not won in the league since beating Burnley 4-0 in April.

It is clear where Liverpool’s biggest problem lies. They have managed only nine shots on target in the league so far this season, with five of those coming from David N’Gog. Fernando Torres is struggling for fitness and form and has not found the net in 462 minutes for club and country, a run of 10 games. And with chief creators Joe Cole suspended and Steven Gerrard battling to overcome a back injury, it is a problem with no obvious solution.

West Brom got their Premier League campaign up and running with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sunderland. Their attention now turns to improving their record on the road – they have not won a top-flight game away from the Hawthorns in 17 attempts.

Head-to-head

The Baggies have never scored in eight Premier League meetings with the Reds.

Liverpool have conceded just one goal in their last 10 matches at home to West Brom.

Liverpool

If Liverpool win, it will be their 2000th victory in league football.

They are currently on a run of four Premier League games without a win, their longest sequence since January 2008.

In the unlikely event he is selected, Javier Mascherano will make his 100th Premier League appearance.

The Reds have kept 17 clean sheets in their last 20 matches at home to newly-promoted teams in the Premier League.

West Brom

They have won just three of their last 18 Premier League matches.

The Baggies haven’t won a Premier League game away from home in 17 attempts, winning only one in the last 28.

They have managed only four shots on target this season, the joint-lowest in the league.

This is West Brom’s fifth season in the Premier League. They have never finished higher than 17th.

Liverpool

Ngog: 4 goals (1 league)

West Brom

Odemwingie: 1 goal (1 league); Pablo & Wood: 1 goal (0 league)

Referee: Lee Probert

Assistant referees: Dean Mohareb & Ceri Richards

Fourth official: Lee Mason

Liverpool (L0-3 v Man City, a): Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger, Jovanovic (Pacheco 85), Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres (Babel 78), Ngog.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Poulsen

West Brom (W1-0 v Sunderland, h): Carson, Jara, Tamas, Olsson, Cech, Morrison, Dorrans (Steven Reid 82), Mulumbu (Shorey 86), Brunt, Odemwingie, Thomas (Barnes 46). Subs Not Used: Myhill, Pablo, Bednar, Cox.

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Joe Cole’s driving ban is delayed

Filed under: Liverpool by: admin

27 August 2010
Last updated at 11:02 ET

England and Liverpool footballer Joe Cole avoided an immediate driving ban for speeding at 105mph after his solicitor launched an appeal.

Cole, 28, who denied the charge, was disqualified for 50 days and fined 750 at Staines Magistrates’ Court.

The footballer was caught speeding on a 70mph section of road in Claygate, Surrey, in November 2009.

His appeal centres on a claim his wife is scared to drive after being the victim of a carjacking.

Cole, who was not in court on Friday, was also ordered to pay 600 costs.

Chairman of the Bench John Neary agreed to suspend the sentence while the appeal is heard.

‘Thugs on motorbikes’

Cole’s lawyer Nick Freeman said the footballer’s wife, Carly Zucker, had recently been left so traumatised by a carjacking outside their Chelsea home that she had been unable to get behind the wheel.

He added: “His wife was outside their house in London when she was carjacked by eight thugs who were on motorbikes. She was physically removed from the car.

“The car was stolen and it has not yet been recovered. She is 26 and has been severely traumatised by this incident to the extent that she has not driven a car since.”

Mr Freeman also said Ms Zucker and her five-month-old baby would not be able to use public transport if Cole was banned because of their high profile.

Police are still looking for the black Audi A4 which was stolen almost two weeks ago.

The footballer, who already had six points on his licence, was found guilty of speeding earlier this month.

Andrew Mitchell, who has since retired from Surrey Police, used the laser speed gun that recorded the incident on 19 November last year when Cole, who was a member of England’s World Cup squad, was still playing for Chelsea.

The court was shown a recording of the incident which showed Cole apparently smiling as he passed the police officer.

Cole was not pulled over but was sent a notice of the speeding offence in the post by Surrey Police.

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Trabzonspor 1-2 L’pool (agg 1-3)

Filed under: Liverpool by: admin

Liverpool secured their place in the group stages of the Europa League courtesy of a win at Trabzonspor.

The Turkish side drew level 1-1 on aggregate when Teofilo Gutierrez slotted in from a Gustavo Colman shot.

David Ngog headed wide from six yards for the Reds but they got a crucial away goal when Giray Kacar put a Glen Johnson cross into his own net.

Dirk Kuyt completed the win when he slotted in after Daniel Pacheco’s shot had been parried into his path.

Liverpool’s goals came late on in the match as they eventually showed the character to negotiate their way past some awkward opponents.

Trabzonspor had beaten the Reds 1-0 the the first leg of a European Cup tie in the 1976/77 season before the Anfield side overturned the deficit to win the second round tie.

And Liverpool knew it would be a tough task to dispose of the Turkish side who were last beaten at home in December 2009 and had since won eight out of nine at their Huseyin Avni Aker stadium.

A banner in the crowd also read: ‘You’re Alone Here’ as it played on Liverpool’s famous You’ll Never Walk Alone anthem, with the Trabzonspor crowd giving the Reds the type of hostile welcome Turkish clubs have become renowned for giving opposing teams in Europe.

However, while the Reds were a vastly different side from the one beaten by Manchester City on Monday, they started off displaying the same lethargy and lacklustre qualities.

It appeared the visitors were lacking the appetite for the Europa League with Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson having left most of his leading players in England after stating the Premier League was this season’s priority.

And Liverpool quickly had their lead from the first leg cancelled out as Kuyt was dispossessed by Colman, whose attempted shot across goal was sidefooted in by Gutierrez.

Ibrahima Yattara wasted a chance to put Trabzonspor in front as the Reds failed to deal with a free-kick but the striker headed wide from close range.

Liverpool slowly started to work their way into the game and should have scored when the previously anonymous Joe Cole dinked a lovely cross to the far post where Ngog nodded the ball wide from six yards.

It was a glaring miss which the Frenchman almost atoned for as he turned and jinked his way to the edge of the box only to shoot just wide.

Liverpool were now showing a steel and determination that was missing in the first half and were duly rewarded when Johnson cut inside on the right and delivered a cross to the near post which Kacar diverted into his own net.

That left Trabzonspor needing two goals to turn the tie around and, in their efforts to perform an unlikely comeback, they left themselves in a vulnerable position.

Liverpool took advantage as Pacheco’s shot was palmed into Kuyt’s path by keeper Onur Kivrak and the Dutch striker gratefully applied the finishing touch to put Liverpool in the draw for the Europa League group stages on Friday.

Live text and stats

Thursday, 26 August 2010

Europa Lge qualifying

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+2:58 The final whistle goes and the game is over.
90:00+2:19 The assistant referee signals for offside against Remzi Giray Kacar. Free kick taken by Jose Reina.
90:00+1:47 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Egeman Korkmaz by Dirk Kuyt. Egeman Korkmaz takes the free kick.
90:00+1:04 Corner from the left by-line taken by Joe Cole, Martin Skrtel takes a shot. Serkan Balci gets a block in.
90:00+0:07 Substitution Christian Poulsen goes off and Martin Skrtel comes on.
89:20 Teofilo Gutierrez produces a right-footed shot from just outside the penalty area that goes harmlessly over the target.
87:18 The assist for the goal came from Joe Cole.
87:18 GOAL – Dirk Kuyt:Trabzonspor 1 – 2 Liverpool Dirk Kuyt grabs a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal. Trabzonspor 1 (1)-(3) 2 Liverpool.
87:03 Joe Cole takes a shot. Save by Onur Kivrak.
86:16 Selcuk Inan fouled by Joe Cole, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in right-footed by Selcuk Inan, save by
Jose Reina.
85:47 Substitution Coelho Jaja comes on in place of Hrvoje Cale.
85:30 Substitution Ryan Babel on for David Ngog.
83:23 GOAL – Remzi Giray Kacar:Trabzonspor 1 – 1 Liverpool An unfortunate own goal is conceded by Remzi Giray Kacar. Trabzonspor 1 (1)-(2) 1 Liverpool.
83:22 Glen Johnson provided the assist for the goal.
83:20 Glen Johnson delivers the ball.
80:48 Burak Yilmaz fouled by Jamie Carragher, the ref awards a free kick. Selcuk Inan restarts play with the free kick. The referee
penalises Gustavo Colman for handball. Direct free kick taken by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
80:00 Corner taken right-footed by Daniel Pacheco, clearance by Egeman Korkmaz.
77:11 Gomes da Costa Alanzinho has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
76:06 Substitution Daniel Pacheco joins the action as a substitute, replacing Fabio Aurelio.
75:39 David Ngog produces a cross, save by Onur Kivrak.
72:43 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Fabio Aurelio, Onur Kivrak makes a save.
71:48 Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Fabio Aurelio.
71:48 Booking Egeman Korkmaz goes into the book.
71:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Egeman Korkmaz on David Ngog.
70:15 Corner taken right-footed by Selcuk Inan, Teofilo Gutierrez takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina.
70:04 A cross is delivered by Burak Yilmaz, Martin Kelly manages to make a clearance.
64:37 Substitution Baris Atas replaces Ceyhun Gulselam.
63:30 Selcuk Inan sends in a cross, clearance by Glen Johnson.
61:49 The ball is crossed by Dirk Kuyt.
60:59 The ball is sent over by Dirk Kuyt, clearance by Remzi Giray Kacar.
60:10 Centre by Serkan Balci, save by Jose Reina.
57:59 Free kick awarded for a foul by Egeman Korkmaz on David Ngog. Fabio Aurelio crosses the ball from the free kick left-footed
from right channel, Egeman Korkmaz makes a clearance.
56:38 David Ngog has an effort at goal from the edge of the box that misses to the right of the target.
55:08 Centre by Fabio Aurelio, clearance made by Remzi Giray Kacar.
53:50 The ball is sent over by Burak Yilmaz, save by Jose Reina.
53:00 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Egeman Korkmaz by David Ngog. Direct free kick taken by Onur Kivrak.
52:28 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dirk Kuyt on Selcuk Inan. Free kick taken by Egeman Korkmaz.
51:30 Joe Cole sends in a cross, Headed effort from deep inside the area by David Ngog misses to the left of the goal.
47:40 The assistant referee signals for offside against Burak Yilmaz. Indirect free kick taken by Jose Reina.
45:01 The game restarts for the second half.
45:01 Substitution Ibrahima Yattara goes off and Gomes da Costa Alanzinho comes on.
Half Time
45:00+1:03 The ref blows to end the first period.
44:51 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Fabio Aurelio, David Ngog concedes a free kick for a foul on Selcuk Inan.
Onur Kivrak takes the free kick.
42:22 Leiva Lucas takes a shot. Onur Kivrak makes a save.
40:32 Booking Burak Yilmaz goes into the book.
38:29 Booking The referee shows Ceyhun Gulselam a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
36:46 Glen Johnson concedes a free kick for a foul on Hrvoje Cale. Selcuk Inan crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed
from left wing, Glen Johnson makes a clearance.
31:47 The referee blows for offside against Glen Johnson. Indirect free kick taken by Onur Kivrak.
29:55 Centre by Glen Johnson, Remzi Giray Kacar makes a clearance.
27:26 Free kick awarded for a foul by Christian Poulsen on Ceyhun Gulselam. Serkan Balci takes the direct free kick.
24:10 Dirk Kuyt takes a shot. Blocked by Remzi Giray Kacar. Fabio Aurelio has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which
goes wide left of the goal.
23:07 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Selcuk Inan by Dirk Kuyt. Selcuk Inan restarts play with the free kick.
22:50 The ball is crossed by Joe Cole, Remzi Giray Kacar manages to make a clearance.
22:44 Joe Cole sends in a cross, clearance by Remzi Giray Kacar.
21:09 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Burak Yilmaz by Glen Johnson. The ball is sent over by Selcuk Inan, Headed effort
on goal by Ibrahima Yattara from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.
16:42 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Ibrahima Yattara from the right by-line, Remzi Giray Kacar takes a shot. Save by
Jose Reina.
16:27 Gustavo Colman takes a shot. Jamie Carragher gets a block in.
16:18 Short corner taken by Ibrahima Yattara.
15:36 Ibrahima Yattara takes a shot. Blocked by Jamie Carragher.
14:49 Corner taken by Fabio Aurelio, save by Onur Kivrak.
7:17 Martin Kelly fouled by Ceyhun Gulselam, the ref awards a free kick. Jose Reina restarts play with the free kick.
Correction – 3:57 Gustavo Colman provided the assist for the goal.
3:57 Assist on the goal came from Gustavo Colman.
3:57 GOAL – Teofilo Gutierrez:Trabzonspor 1 – 0 Liverpool Teofilo Gutierrez gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the box high into the middle of the goal. Trabzonspor 1
(1)-(1) 0 Liverpool.
1:39 Fabio Aurelio takes the outswinging corner, Sotirios Kyrgiakos takes a shot. Save by Onur Kivrak.
1:28 The ball is crossed by Joe Cole, clearance made by Hrvoje Cale.
0:00 The match begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

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Benitez coy on Liverpool targets

Filed under: Liverpool by: admin

Inter Milan coach Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from reports linking his club with moves for Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano.

Roy Hodgson, who succeeded Benitez as Liverpool boss this summer, claims the Spaniard signed an agreement that prevents him signing Reds players.

But Benitez says he plays no part in transfers at the Italian champions.

“I am the coach, the coach can’t sign any player. It has to be the technical director or the chairman,” he said.

Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has made it clear he wishes to leave the club and move to another country and the Anfield outfit have subsequently received an offer of about 12m from Barcelona which was rejected.

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Newspaper reports suggested Inter had offered 20m for the Argentina captain, while also lining up a 14m move for Dutch forward Kuyt, both players whom Benitez bought while at Liverpool.

But Benitez, who is in Monaco for Inter’s Super Cup match against Athletico Madrid on Friday night, denied any involvement in trying to take the players to Italy.

“I can guarantee you I am just focusing on training the team and trying to do my best on the pitch,” said Benitez.

“I am the coach, we have a technical director and a chairman who have a very good relationship with Roy Hodgson so it’s a problem for them.”

“I’m trying to improve my Italian so it’s easier for them to understand me. The organisation of the club is so big and as there is such a good relationship with Hodgson I don’t need to be involved. I just try to do my best where I have an influence.”

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