As Derby County secured their place in the Premiership next season with a 1-0 victory over West Brom in the Championship play-off at Wembley, these are the headlines hitting Merseyside this Bank Holiday Monday’¦
Crouch part of Rafa’s plans
Reds fans can expect to see more of Peter Crouch at Anfield next season despite suggestions linking him with a move away from the club after just two seasons. Reports suggested that Crouch has fallen out of Benitez’s plans with big-money signings expected this summer, but the lanky forward revealed he has been given the confidence of the gaffer.
“Benitez told me I’m part of his plans and that’s good enough for me. I’ll relax over the summer and come back hungry for more.
“At Liverpool there’s going to be competition for places, especially as the manager likes to chop and change.”
Reds sign Hungarian duo
Er.. remember when Houllier signed Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tallec, two highly rated young Frenchmen? Well that didn’t turn out to be a fairytale story but hopefully these two will have more luck. Krisztian Nemeth, 17, and Andras Simon, 18, both strikers, have signed from MTK Hungaria after impressing in the UEFA Under-17 Championships.
Eto’o hints at Anfield switch
Adding fuel to the rumours connecting him with a move to Anfield this summer, Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o has revealed his desire to play at Anfield again, praising the fans and claiming, ‘œIt would be wonderful to have that kind of support as a Liverpool player but I really don’t know what will happen in the next two years.’ However the striker has a contract keeping him at the Nou Camp until 2010.
Four Reds in England squad but Pennant misses out
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Scott Carson are the four Liverpool players who have been called up by Steve McLaren as part of his England squad to face Brazil and Estonia shortly. However despite his impressive recent form, Jermaine Pennant is disappointed he missed out on a call-up:
“I’d have hoped I was knocking on the England door because if you are not knocking on the door after playing in a Champions League final for Liverpool then there must be something wrong.”
