Red Faces over United Prank

Man Scum have launched an investigation after a prankster tampered with a giant neon sign at the Old Trafford stadium to spell out C*NT.

The sign - which normally highlights the club's name - stand dozens of feet above Sir Matt Busby's statue.

Manchester United played down suggestions the prank was connected to anger over the club's recent takeover. They said it was a workman's joke.

A spokesman said: "We have had contractors in doing work on the stadium. It seems someone has messed with plugs at the back of the lights as a prank.

LFC to Play Friendly Against Old Champions League Rivals - Part 2

Liverpool will continue their pre season training camp with a friendly against another familiar team on Saturday.

We faced an Olympicos team (containing the Brazilian great, Rivaldo) during the group stages in last season's Champions League. It was they who put our whole Champions League season out of whack when they became the first Greek side to beat Liverpool in Greece. The result that day was 1-0, and with the last day of the group stages Liverpool were third, behind Monaco and Olympiacos in top spot. With Monaco playing an already eliminated Deportivo La Coruna, LFC knew they had to win against the group leaders by two goals without conceeding the all important away goal.

The worst possible start happened when Rivaldo, an inspiration for the Greek side scored from a direct free kick that went through the wall and into the back of the net. With the away goal scored (and Monaco destroying Deportivo), Liverpool would have to produce three goals against this heavily defensive side to qualify for the knockout stages or find themselves competing in the UEFA Cup again.

LFC went into the break without scoring, but Pongolle scored after some great work by Kewell (honest) 2 minutes into the second half to tie up hte scores. After that Liverpool laboured, but couldn't find the net. On 78 minutes lone striker Milan Baros, who was back playing after missing the last five through injury, was brought off for the young gun Neil Mellor. It was the little difference that the team needed and Mellor scored from close-range within two minutes of his introduction to put Liverpool ahead on the night.

It was a that point the Kop really felt like the was there's to take. As for me, I remember feeling from that point on that this was it, it was desiny, LFC would lift the primier European Crown, the Champions League was there to take!

With four minutes left of regular time, our great captain, Steven Gerrard, who fired home the dramatic winner to give Liverpool a 3-2 aggregate head-to-head score and garantee us entry to the knock-out stages. Little did we know that as great as that celebration was it was only the beginning, and that it would be our second great escape in the Champions League. The victory lead to comprehensive two-legged wins over Beyer Leverkusen, and memorable nights against Juventus, Chelsea and then AC Milan in the greatest ever comeback in Eurpoean history!

This friendly certainly won't have the same energy as that second game, but it will prove a strong test to Liverpool who need to test themselves a gruling pre-season that includes Champions Leagu qualifying. After this the team will be preparing to face FBK Kaunas in Lithuania for the first leg in the 2nd round of Champions League on Tuesday.

The Olympiacos game will be an evening kick-off at 8:45 pm, local time (7:45pm GMT; 2:45pm EST; & 11:45am PST).

Gonzalez Concern

Mark Gonzalez is still awaiting confirmation that he will join Liverpool on a season's loan, as he recuperates from a knee injury.

Gonzalez has been told that his loan switch from Albacete has been sealed despite a knee injury.

Although he is now off crutches, it will be some time before the 20-year-old Chile international is at full fitness, and he is growing a little concerned that he has not yet been drafted in at Anfield.

"It does worry me a little," confirmed Gonzalez.

"I suppose in the next week they will notify me.

"Little by little my rehabilitation is becoming less tedious.

"Already I can work without canes, and everything appears to be progressing according to the proper schedule."

Rupert Praises Peter

Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe praised Peter Crouch for his professionalism during his move to Liverpool, and said that they had to sell him this summer.

Lowe said that the towering marksman was initially ready to remain at St Mary's and help Harry Redknapp's fight for an immediate return to The Premiership.

However, once Liverpool's interest was confirmed, Crouch could not resist the lure of Anfield, but went about his move in the right way.

"Under normal circumstances, I think he was certainly up for the fight of getting us promoted, but once Liverpool came in, I think he found it very hard give up the allure of Champions League football and playing for a club that he sees as a substantially bigger club than us."

Crouch Complete's LFC Deal

Liverpool have completed the signing of striker Peter Crouch from Southampton on a four-year deal.

The 6ft 7in striker successfully completed his medical to become Rafael Benitez's sixth summer signing.

He said: "I am thrilled to be joining a club as prestigious and successful as Liverpool.

Crouch scored 16 goals last season and although Southampton lost their Barclays Premiership status, he was rewarded for his efforts with a call-up to England's end-of-season tour to the US, making his debut in the game against Colombia in New York.

"Once I heard of their interest in me it was hard not to think about what it would be like to pull on the famous red shirt and play in front of the Kop, but I was also very aware of my responsibilities towards Southampton.

"After a lot of thought I requested the permission of the chairman and board of directors of the club to talk to Liverpool.

"Southampton bought me from Aston Villa and allowed me to play regularly in the Premiership, resulting in an appearance for England in the summer.

"This helped my career tremendously and has now given me the opportunity to move to Liverpool and play on an even bigger stage, something no-one could realistically expect me to turn down.

"Under almost any other circumstances I would have committed myself to helping Southampton regain their Premiership status.

"There is a great group of players at the club and I am sure they will be successful in the coming seasons."

Cracking Website

It's been around since May apparently, but I've only just found it - an absolute laugh riot. Check out the side bar too for the last season's EPL placings:

#5 Liverpool Reds - European Series winners after a 12-yard kick-ball challenge.
#7 The Middle Borough - Central London side

Two articles of note:

• Manchester to sell Shaun-Wright Phillips?
• EPL Regular Season (Draft Picks)!

ENJOY READING !!!!