Summer is here, the rain and thunderstorms are back, fixture lists are out and transfer gossip is in full swing.As always at Anfield, news has come thick and fast, so here’s a quick rundown of the highlights so far.
- Kenny Dalglish has returned to Liverpool to take up a senior role at the club’s academy, and will also act as club ambassador.
- Midfielder Yossi Benayoun has signed a two-year contract extension until 2013. The Israel international, 29, scored 9 goals last season, and joins Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and Fernando Torres in commiting his long-term future to the club.
- Jermaine Pennant, who was on loan at Portsmouth last season, has been released. The 26-year-old winger has signed a three-year deal with Spain’s Real Zaragoza.
- Defender Glen Johnson has signed a four-year deal with Liverpool, completing a 17.5m move from Portsmouth. The 24-year-old England right-back is Rafa Benitez’ first summer signing, who had to beat off interest from both Manchester City and Chelsea.
- Xabi Alonso is still an Anfield player! The Spanish international, 27, has been under the spotlight with both Juventus and Real Madrid voicing interest in the midfielder.
- 22-year-old Moroccan Nabil El Zhar has signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at the club until 2012.
- Chris Mavinga has been signed from Paris St. Germain. The defender had yet to make a senior appearance for PSG, but had already been noticed by other clubs such as Arsenal, so Liverpool’s capture ofthe left-back is seen as a coup.
- Academy graduates Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby, both 20, have agreed to commit their futures to Liverpool. Both players made a couple of first-team appearances last season, and are looking forward to further opportunities to play in the Premier League in 2009-10.
LIVERPOOL ON TELLY – LATEST CHANGES TO FIXTURE TIMES
- Liverpool’s 2009-10 Barclays Premier League campaign will now kick-off at 4.00pm, 16th August.
- The Reds will hope for the perfect start against Tottenham Hotspur with an away win, and this opening game will be screened live by Sky Sports.
- Liverpool will have a number of matches shown on ESPN. The North American giants are new to Premier League broadcasting in the UK after they purchased the live rights from the fall-out from the Setanta collapse.
- Other fixture changes have also been announced, including the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on 29th November.
Opponent Date & Time Broadcaster
Tottenham Hotspur (A) 16 August, 4.00pm Sky Sports
Aston Villa (H) 24 August, 8.00pm ESPN
West Ham United(A) 19 September, 5.30pm ESPN
Chelsea (A) 4 October, 4.00pm Sky Sports
Manchester United (H) 25 October, 2.00pm Sky Sports
Birmingham City (H) 9 November, 8.00pm ESPN
Manchester City (H) 21 November, 12.45pm Sky Sports
Everton (A) 29 November, 1.30pm Sky Sports
LIVERPOOL’S PRE-SEASON FIXTURE LIST
Opponent Date & Time
St. Gallen (A) 15 July, 7.00pm
Rapid Vienna (A) 19 July, 6.15pm
Thailand (A) 22 July, 2.00pm
Singapore (A) 26 July, 12.00pm
Espanyol (A) 2 August, 8.00pm
FC Lyn (A) 5 August, 6.00pm
Atletico Madrid(H) 8 August, 3.00pm
[...] Liverpool FC News Update – 21st July 2009 [...]