David N'Gog States That His Time at Liverpool Made Him Stronger

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(Bleacher Report) Recent Liverpool turned Bolton Wanderer striker David N'Gog has thrown his former club a thank you saying that his days at the club made him stronger.

The Rafael Benitez signing was a prime candidate to take up the front man spot under his former boss, but he was seen as surplus to Kenny Dalglish and the clubs new owners.

His £4 million move to Bolton signifies what most people already understood, that he needed a change of pace and scenery.

Comments quoted by both Givemefootball.com and Tribalfootball.com have stated the players appreciation for his time on Merseyside and has him claiming Fernando Torres as his inspiration:

"When you are at a club like Liverpool you have to accept it (being behind Torres),'' said Ngog.

"That made me stronger as well because you want to be close to the best and Fernando is one of the best.

"He is one of the best strikers in the world and when he was at Liverpool he was consistent in scoring a lot of goals.

"You learn about a lot from a player like this. It was a good experience and I will try to produce here and show what I am capable of.''

However, while I believe his move to play under Owen Coyle is a great one for all parties included, the part of Torres that Reds fans hope he is talking about it the defense frightening clinical finishing that Torres displayed in the height of his Reds days and not the side that saw him alienate the majority of his adoring fans on Merseyside.

N'Gog provided the Reds with great service in his time scoring 19 goals in 94 appearances, but he number of simply chances that he missed during his time could easily have tripled his goal haul.

Given what his new manager Coyle has done for both Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge on loan should give N'Gog huge hopes for the amount of development he can achieve at the Reebok.
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Liverpool Deadline Day Transfers: David N'Gog to Wrap Up Bolton Move

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(Bleacher Report) Bolton Wanderers have been chasing the signature of Liverpool's 22-year old French attacker David N'Gog for the last few months, and it looks like he is finally set to make the move in the next 24 hours.

As the deal has been left late, the Trotters are racing to get it done in time just as Liverpool is.

He is expected to command a fee of £4 million from the Reebok based team and Owen Coyle will be getting a great prospect with much room to grow. It was unfortunate for him that the Reds just did not have the room for him as he did not fit the talent level that is looking to be required to lay at Liverpool.

His sale could see a possible Reds move for an additional striker with only Dirk Kuyt the available attacking option up front off the bench.

Bolton's manager Owen Coyle is desperate to see additional players up front with only Ivan Klasnic and his Captain Kevin Davies left to truly call on.

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Liverpool Transfer Rumours: Craig Bellamy, Sebastian Coates and Deadline Deals

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(Bleacher Report) The Reds ended their August fixture set on a high with a resounding 3-1 win against Bolton Wanderers in front of a packed house at Anfield. Off to their best start in several years, the Reds have not only been doing well on their pitch, but the efforts of Kenny Dalglish and Damien Camolli off the pitch have seen great results.

Jordan Handerson and Charlie Adam both got off the mark for the club at the weekend, and it is great to see some of the newcomers already putting their touch on the results this season.

However, even though the Reds have brought in Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing, Jose Enrique and now Sebastian Coates, they still look to have more transfer movement before the cut off on Wednesday.

Loan moves seem to be the majority of what will happen. Both Alberto Aquilani and Dani Pacheco have finalized their loan switches lately. The Italian makes his move to AC Milan back in his homeland of Italy, and promising young attacker Dani Pacheco will be taking a trip back home to Spain to play for Atletico Madrid.

Further loan moves and transfer out look to be in the works as the Reds try and trim off some of the excess of their large squad.

Dalglish continues to refuse to comment on transfer speculation, which most likely means there is still a good bit of it going on behind the scenes.

So lets get to the news of the last few days and get us all caught up after a ventilating weekend from the Barclay's Premier League and Liverpool's first home victory in front of the Kop.

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Liverpool FC: David N'Gog Looks Certain to Make a Move to Bolton by Deadline Day

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(Bleacher Report) Behind all the current Craig Bellamy and Sebastian Coates transfer news for the Reds is the continuing possibility of young French striker David N'Gog and his proposed move to Bolton Wanderers.

N'Gog is a left over prodigy of the Rafael Benitez era and he has so far totaled 94 appearances for the club scoring 19 goals for the Reds. Owen Coyle has admitted to wanting to bring the player in since week one.

He has been on the Trotters radar since this middle of summer and with him being confined to the Reds reserve squad so far since the end of preseason, he could jump at the chance for first team action at least twice as likely at the Reebok.

Bolton have been in need of additional attacking options since the departure of Johan Elmander, and the expiration of Danny Sturridge's loan deal from Chelsea. N'Gog could be the solution for a time and it is believed he would move for around £4 million.

Dirk Kuyt has taken up the third striker spot when he is not deputizing on the right flank. If the Reds do sign Craig Bellamy, then the 22-year old Frenchman is effectively out of a job.

It has also been said that despite the Reds interest in a move for Bolton's Gary Cahill, the switch of N'Gog to the Reebok would be a completely separate deal.
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Braga vs Liverpool Europa League Preview

Article first published as Europa League Preview: Braga vs Liverpool on Technorati.
Liverpool goes to Portugal to take on Sporting Braga in the first leg of their last 16 Clash in the Europa League.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
March 9, 2011

Kuyt has Scored 4 goals in his Last Two Games

Liverpool enjoyed a massive victory this weekend as Dirk Kuyt scored his first hat-trick as a Red and Luis Suarez put in a masterful performance to give the Merseyside giants a much needed 3-1 victory over arch rivals Manchester United. Andy Carroll also made his debut for the club puting in a 20 minute shift in which he made several headed efforts for the team that show just what kinds of things they will expect to see with the young powerful forward making his way into the side over the next month.

Braga also experienced an energizing victory as they defeated Portuguese Liga's 2nd place club Benfica at home to continue their chase for a Europa League spot for next season. Both Liverpool and Braga find themselves in sixth position in their respected leagues table. If Liverpool's chances of Champions League football are looking bleak for next season's Braga's outlook is a no chance verdict.

The English Side sits 9 points down from the 4th place Champions League Qualification spot currently held by Chelsea on 51 points. Braga on the other hand sits 20 points back from the 2nd place Champions League spot in their country after having finished 2nd last season. It is truly a European clash of teams fitted for a chance of a rematch next season as well.

Braga's Municipal Stadium Will be a Cauldron

Liverpool was dealt another injury blow in their defense this weekend as Fabio Aurelio joins Martin Kelly on the sidelines for a month with a hamstring injury. This makes way for Danny Wilson to possibly fit back into the Europa League spot and will more than likely see Daniel Agger as a Left back the next time the Reds have a run out in the English Premiership against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on March 20th.

It was also reported that Steven Gerrard is not making the trip either as he continues to struggle with a nagging injury so either Jaime Carragher or Pepe Reina will be deputized as Captain for the match. The good news for the Merseyside club will be a weekend of rest with the team having already been dumped out of the FA Cup which continues this weekend.

David N'gog Set to Lead Liverpool's Europa Line

With Luis Suarez Cup tied, for his games at Ajax, Andy Carroll is expected to make his European debut for the Reds. Some believe he will be a starter but I believe Kenny Dalglish will look to protect his young striker as he returns to form just as he did with Luis Suarez. Given a home debut in a victory, and then used as a substitute on several occasions before throwing him head first into a starting role. I see Carroll taking a subs role behind David N'Gog who is Liverpool's leading scorer in the competition.

A victory for the Reds would be ideal and more than likely allow them to finish of the tie at Anfield with ease for a great St. Patrick's Day present to the club and fans which would book them a place in the last 8. Liverpool also hold the luxury of having won this version of the European Cup on three other occasions making them the most successful club in the competition remaining in the hunt.

Predicted Line-Ups for the Tie

Braga Possible Starting XI: Artur; Miguel Garcia, Kaka, Rodriguez, Silvio; Hugo Viana, Custodio, Vinicius, Alan; Lima, Ukra.

Liverpool Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Wilson; Poulsen, Lucas, Cole, Miereles, Kuyt; N'Gog.

Liverpool Subs: Carroll, Maxi, Skrtel, Jovanovic, Pacheco, Spearing, Gulacsi.

A Liverpool Spanish Armada

Article first published as A Liverpool Spanish Armada on Technorati.
The Reds Look Once again at Spanish Aces after Departure of Spanish International Torres


by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
February 9, 2011

The Departure of Fernando Torres to Chelsea saw Liverpool fans revolt at the Spanish National. After this weekends defeat of his new team upon his debut they aren't quite to upset. The arrivals of both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, whom scored on his Anfield debut, have given the Reds faithful much hope.

Now that the current situation has been decided for the time being, Liverpool look to continue their youth and talent influx with the possible addition of two new Spanish shot takers to replace their formerly beloved Torres.

Cazorla to Replace Maxi

26-year old Villareal attacker Santiago Cazorla is believed to be a prime candidate for Liverpool addition in the summer. With David Ngog at the right age for a loan move to secure first team action the next two season possibly, much like Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge, having Cazorla to call upon behind Carroll and Suarez would be a welcomed addition.

Cazorla is also a skilled wide player, and his arrival could mark the departure of Maxi Rodriguez whom has just not been up to Liverpool caliber since his arrival. Having missed a sitter at the Bridge on Sunday, he did not do anything to endear himself to his new owners, as his strike could have truly put a stamp on the match early on for the Reds.

Spanish Starlet Alcacer

Liverpool most likely will be fighting with Arsenal for the services of Cazorla as the Gunners look to find another attacker in the wide areas as Andrei Arshavin may possibly be on the move this summer after stating his disenchantment with the club.

With the mind of keeping the academy rolling, and the talent flowing up into the first team, another young Spanish striker is on the Reds wish list for the summer. 17-year old Valencia starlet Francisco Alcacer is being scouted by the scousers.

The young Spaniard has 14 goals for Valencia B in 34 appearances, and has scored 17 international goals between 18 appearances from the U-16's, U-17's, and U-18's of Spain. He made is first team debut in a 4-1 victory for Los Che against Deportivo Logrones in Spain's Copa Del Rey

Liverpool Turning it Around

No Fernando Torres, No Steven Gerrard, No Jaime Carragher? Yes, and the Reds Produced

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
December 8, 2010

It was a frigged Monday night at Anfield Road in Liverpood. The Reds without there three most prized and loved players. Steven Gerrard out with a hastring injury left over from International Duty with England. Jaime Carragher out for three months facing surgery on a dislocated shoulder. Fernando Torres not injured but about to welcome a new Red into the world as his wife Olalla Torres was in labor and he missed the game to be by her side as she delivered their second child, a son named Leo. With all this afoot, could the remaining charges dismiss Aston Villa and Gerrard Houllier on his return to his once home in front of the Kop?

The simple answer is, YES. Aston Villa, though depleted by injury as well, were clinically put to the sword. Liverpool cruised to an easy victory on the Back of early first half goals by David Ngog, and unlikely hero Ryan Babel. Maxi Rodriguez would finish off the night with a second half counter attack goal that was brilliantly executed and sublimely finished. All in all it was a great night for the Reds as a result was desperately needed to keep hopes alive for a Champions League Place for next season.

Former Liverpool boss Gerrard Houllier recieved a warm welcome by the fans, but his players were deceimated on the pitch. The Villian team, a far cry from that of Martin O'Neil's side which defeated the Reds last year at Anfield, was simply not up to the task. Houllier was forced to deputize, same as Roy Hodgson, with players from the youth system and the reserve bench with the likes of Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker being lost to injury. However, the youth and fringe charges of the Liverpool Reds did there job looking anything like youth or inexperienced.

This result proves vital to the Reds English Premier League campaign as they have now risen to 8th place in the table. The victory also proves that despite not having their star players the Reds can win. New signing Raul Miereles is proving his ability to distribute in the absence of Gerrard, and Maxi is coming into his own as he appears to have fully adjusted to life in the Primeirship following his arrival from La Liga's Athletico Madrid. Following this display of form Roy Hodgson perhaps can feel some respite from the crushing pressure and criticism he has felt for the majority of the season.

However, the Reds are not out of the woods yet. With a trip to Newcastle on the weekend, the Magpies will look to stifle the Reds resurgent form. But with the Toon reeling from the surprising and albeit ridiculous sacking of Manager Chris Houghton it will be a different Newcastle team that the Reds will see on the Weekend. In respect to Houghton, if winning promotion with a League Championship, and having a team picked for relegation in the middle of the table at nearly Christmas is a bad job, I am at a loss for words. I guess Mike Ashley just needed to get back in the news.