Manchester City midfielder Georgi Kinkladze has now been quoted as saying that he wants to move the Liverpool. The 24 year old, who is also wanted by Sampdoria, Everton, Leeds, Newcastle and Chelsea, looks like he'll leave Maine Road before the transfer deadline day. "Liverpool have always been a team very close to my heart and I am a fan of the way they play. They have many great players," said Kinkladze. Manchester City manager Joe Royle would be looking to get some £7m for the Georgian international, who is already being tipped as a replacement for Steve McManaman who, if reports are to be believed, is destined for a £12m move to AC Roma. - TeamTalk
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Rangers in a testimonial for Walter Smith at Ibrox. Ally McCoist scored the only goal of the match in the first half.
Stan Collymore, former Reds striker accused Steve Harkness of racial insult during the Aston Villa match. Collymore claimed he was "hurt and angry" after Harkness' remarks and that he had deliberately informed black players at Anfield about what was allegedly said. Collymore and Harkness allegedly became embroiled in an after-match scuffle in the dressing room area. Harkness remained tight-lipped today, but Liverpool were due to issue a statement following their in-house discussions. The Football Association today confirmed they may launch their own independent inquiry into the Stan Collymore racism row - even if the striker does not make an official complaint.
Mark Kennedy the estrangled midfielder said that he would not go back to Anfield for training as instructed. Liverpool has informed QPR that they want the midfielder back from loan. However Kennedy who is experiencing a new lease of life at QPR is reported to be disappointed that his loan term is terminated. Meanwhile another Red on loan, Michael Thomas was allowed an extension to his loan term to Middlebrough.
Liverpool defender Steve Harkness has denied making racist remarks to Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore during the Premiership clash at Villa Park last Saturday. In a statement issued to PA Sport tonight, Harkness said: "I vehemently deny the accusation that I made racist comments to Stan Collymore during or after the game at Aston Villa on Saturday. "The particular background to this game may have meant that there was more going on on the pitch than is usual, but that does not extend to racial abuse of any kind."
Liverpool came from behind to keep their hopes of a Champion's League place alive. Bolton made the best possible start to the game when Alan Thompson scored after just 7 minutes. Thompson started the move playing the ball to Nathan Blake, Blake then found Thompson who fired home left-footed from the edge of the box. Liverpool started the second half brightly but struggled to break down a resolute Bolton defence. Liverpool eventually got back on level terms on 58 minutes. A Kennedy corner from the left was headed home by Paul Ince who outjumped Keith Branagan to score a rare goal. Liverpool continued the pressure and went ahead after 64 minutes. Paul Ince was again involved, winning the ball in midfield and releasing Michael Owen, who went on to finish clinically past Branagan to make it 2-1. Liverpool moved up into second place overtaking Blackburn and Arsenal, however both teams have games in hand. Manchester United, despite losing at Sheffield Wednesday, are still nine points ahead of Liverpool.
Patrik Berger has until the end of March for his dream move to Benfica to happen...or he'll have to wait until the summer. And that could leave the unhappy Czech in limbo, because he has virtually gone on strike by telling Liverpool boss Roy Evans he doesn't want to be named on the substitutes bench. Benfica only have until the end of the month to come up with the money, because the last day of March signals the end of the 'window' in the Portuguese season which allows clubs to bring in non EC-players. But Benfica are facing terrible cash problems and boss Graeme Souness hasn't got any cash to spend at the moment. That leaves Berger's future on hold. Evans clearly has no intention of being dictated too, and will leave him out unless he changes his mind. Evans' reaction was clear: "That's his decision, it's up to him. But you don't want people in the side who don't want to play for you." Evans said: "He asked me the question and didn't feel in the right frame of mind to be on the bench, so we left him out. "Whether he's involved again depends. It depends on whether he's desperate to play for Liverpool, whether it is on the bench or on the pitch, it's his choice really." - by Paul Walker for "Press Association"
Steve McManaman dramatically rescued a point for Liverpool with their third equaliser in the 89th minute of a White Hart Lane thriller which left shattered Tottenham still deep in relegation trouble. The point keeps alive Liverpool's remote hopes of producing a challenge to Manchester United and Arsenal at the top of the table and although they rode their luck in a sparkling encounter it has to be said that teenage shooting star Owen could have wrapped the game up for them with earlier chances that were thwarted by the brave goalkeeping of Tottenham's Espen Baardsen.
Goals : Klinsmann (12 mins), McManaman (21,88), Ginola (47), Ince (64),
Vega (80).
Half-Time : 1-1.
Oyvind Leonhardsen is Liverpool's sole representative in Norway's friendly against Belgium on March 25. There is no place in Egil Olsen's squad for either Bjorn Tore Kvarme or Stig Inge Bjornebye. Meanwhile, Mark Kennedy has pulled out of The Republic of Ireland's forthcoming game with The Czech Republic due to his finger injury but Phil Babb, who came on as a Liverpool substitute on Saturday, is hoping to be fit enough to be involved. As for the England set-up, Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen are in the full squad to face Switzerland whilst, in the B/U21 squad Jamie Redknapp and Dominic Matteo have been selected. - TeamTalk
Liverpool manager Roy Evans watched French striker Stephane Guivarc'h score twice for Auxerre in their UEFA Cup clash with Lazio last night. Guivarc'h is refusing to sign a new contract with Auxerre, who are out of Europe after being beaten 3-2 on aggregate by the Italians. His advisors were having talks with the French club's boss Guy Roux this week. Guivarc'h scored on his international debut against South Africa this season, having progressed from Brest, Guingamp and Rennes, where he scored 22 goals last season. He clearly sees his career away from Auxerre, and said: "I want to experience something different, and it is England that tempts me most, then Germany, then Italy." - Press Association
Michael Thomas returns from Middlesbrough. The move came after Paul Gascoigne signed for Bryan Robson's team from Rangers.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans has cleared some of his surplus squad from Anfield. Both Neil Ruddock and Mark Kennedy have left Merseyside for return moves to the capital, going to Queens Park Rangers and Wimbledon respectively. Former Tottenham defender Ruddock immediately looked forward to his link-up with fellow hard man Vinnie Jones. Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy, on loan at QPR earlier this season, has joined Wimbledon in a £1.75million deal. The Republic of Ireland international passed a medical before signing a four-year contract. The 21-year-old failed to break into the Liverpool first team after his move from Millwall in 1995. - World Soccernet