euh désolé je ne l´ai plus, mais j´ai un article interessant qui date d´aujourd´hui :
Owen back home
LIVERPOOL have put hard cash on the bargaining table this weekend in an attempt to end Michael Owen´s football frustration with an immediate return to Anfield.
The European champions have offered Real Madrid a $14 million down payment for the England forward, with a further $12 million spread over the next three years to meet his $26 million valuation.
It is a deal, proposed over the past 48 hours, that indicates a remarkable U-turn by Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and is a measure of his concern about the strike partnership of Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes in the premiership.
Just a year ago, the tough-minded Spaniard discarded Liverpool´s most prolific finisher during a contract stalemate and recruited Morientes from the Bernabeu in January´s transfer window.
But the high-profile Morientes, despite two goals in the Champions League qualifier against CSKA Sofia in midweek, has suffered in the more physical arena of the English game and has so far delivered low returns.
The lack of finishing power was apparent yesterday as Liverpool dominated most of the match but could not find the net.
Steven Gerrard was forced to take on the mantle of chief executioner in a performance that earned him rave reviews by both managers. Boro´s Steve McClaren led the salute.
" He´s an awesome player," said McClaren. " Steven was their best defender and best attacker – he was everywhere."
Gerrard was responsible for seven attempts on goal and also looked a likely scorer in the 75th minute when he was brought down by Ugo Ehiogu, who was shown a red card.
" He has scored seven goals in our pre-season and had two or three clear opportunities here, so we have to be happy that he is getting into the box so often," Benitez said.
" It´s good because it means their defenders are watching our strikers, so the midfield can go into the area. But I was also pleased about the clean sheet. That´s one of the things we were thinking about before the game.
Liverpool couldn´t find a way past Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer even when Boro were reduced to 10 men by the Ehiogu´s dismissal.
McLaren´s side were unable to carve out many openings, but the England coach was satisfied with the result.
" It´s important to get something from your first game," he said. " We knew Liverpool were in good form and didn´t know whether our players were ready. But our attitude and character were magnificent, particularly when we were down to 10 men."
West Ham made a winning return to the premiership after new signing Yossi Benayoun inspired a stunning 3-1 win over Blackburn at Upton Park.
The little Israeli, a pre-season signing from Spain´s Racing Santander, created goals for Teddy Sheringham and Matthew Etherington as the hosts staged a second-half comeback.
souce : dailytelegraph.news.com