I was surprised when i learnt that Milan had signed Ghanaian Sulley Muntari on loan from cross town rivals Inter considering his form the past couple of seasons. Muntari who is on international duty with Ghana in the African Cup of Nations, will be with the Rossoneri until the end of the season when his current contract with Inter is set to expire.

Obviously, the atmosphere at a derby held in such high esteem such as that of 'Derby della Madonnina' is meant to blow you off your feet. Unfortunately, besides Diego Milito's wonder strike for Inter in the 54th minute (there's no denying him, really) the game last night was .

It's Milan Derby weekend and if you're all like "Snoozefest time!"... STEP ASIDE, per favore! It's not about the derby but rather the culture surrounding it. All the Uncle Giovannis who are preparing their premium Neapolitan pasta sauces at this very moment will only serve it at 8pm tomorrow because that's how the Italianos roll!

AC Milan recently held a Christmas party (of course, 'Natale' is incredibly important for the land of the Pope!) where players, coaches, staff and sponsors were invited to mingle, eat cheese and look bloody fabulous. Everyone needs to take a leaf out of these smoldering Italians' books.

Jonjo Shelvey is now back at Anfield after being recalled from his loan spell at Blackpool, but with Lucas out for the rest of the season, and Steven Gerrard still recovering from his injury, Liverpool are lacking real experience in midfield. Will Alberto Aquilani also be recalled?
In his weekly press conference a few minutes ago, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish confirmed the following:
"I think if you look at the rules you'll see that it's not possible [to recall Aquilani]".

Esposto: Aquilani is doing very well at AC Milan

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-11-29 12:49:41 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

FC Barcelona secured the top spot of Group H in Champions League with a high tempo thrilling 3-2 victory against AC Milan. An own goal from Van Bommel, a penalty from Messi and another beautiful goal from xavi completed Barca's socreline, whereas Ibrahimovic and Boateng scored for AC Milan.

Liverpool have scored a paltry 14 goals in 11 league games this season, with the team scoring 2 or more goals on only 5 occasions. On top of that, Charlie Adam, Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll are the only players who have score more than one league goal. Clearly, there are players in the team who are not pulling their weight, but the ironic thing is, the players they replaced are scoring and creating goals for fun at their new clubs.

Alberto Aquilani's agent Franco Zavaglia has confirmed that a permanent move from Liverpool to AC Milan is still very much on the cards for the Italian midfielder.
Speaking to calciomercato.it, Zavaglia revealed:
"Everything is on schedule. He [Aquilani] has still not proved his value, but he is giving his best, and I am sure that with his attributes and qualities, he will only get better|.

Italy, oh Italy! The world's eyes are fixated on their fallen president and wacky owner of AC Milan today... Botox Berlusconi! Well, everyone except the Azzurri of course, where it was 'Business as Usual' with medical checks at the team's training camp in Florence yesterday.

It has been a good week for Milan. Two successive wins, two clean sheets, some good performances from the new recruits (Taiwo, Nocerino and Aquilani), Ibrahimovic insisting he is happy (and scoring), Boateng scoring a goal and saying he loves everything (about Milan) and then to cap it all off, Barcelona target Thiago Silva stating [.

Liverpool have a number of players out on loan at the moment, and in a new interview with the official site, Kenny Dalglish outlined the positives of the loan system, and provided some timely updates on the club's loanees. Dalglish was keen to stress that he keeps a close watch on the all the club's loan players:"We keep monitoring them.

Gazzetta dello Sport Cavani, Napoli's Matador Aquilani gives Milan hope, but the Uruguayan unleashes a hat-trick De Laurentiis: 'I'm thinking about the Champions League' Juve celebrate going +5 over the Milanese clubs Conte: "We were good: I saw the right aggression". Matri goal: "Last year we didn't win matches like this" and "I saw the right grit" Matri: 'Last.

Aquilani's departure epitomises Daglish's philosophy - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Alberto Aquilani's recent move to AC Milan stands as a visual representation of Kenny Daglish's football ideology. While Liverpool's recent treatment of Aquilani is at best confusing, and at worst troubling, it most likely typifies the philosophy of the pragmatic Scotsman who currently wears the crown at Anfield.

In the second part of this two-part article, Guest writer Ryan McCarthy continues to explore the influence and ideological impact of club legend Kenny Dalglish since his return to the managerial hotseat at Liverpool Football Club.
Read part 1 here
These days it has become common practice for television cameras to zero in on Dalglish for his reaction when Liverpool score, which is usually arms rising to the heavens; a smile as wide as the Mersey; caught up in the infectious unbridled, childlike joy of the moment.

Gazzetta dello Sport Inter, the bull Forlan Mou storm: "I'm leaving Real!" "I'm staying" Milan, here is Aquilani. Liverpool say yes Juve, more Lugano than Alex Marotta keeps Storari Believe Udinese! Beat Arsenal! Super Pepito Tuttosport Malouda negotiations And there is Bruno Alves Inter and Forlan Garrone: "The truth about Marotta and Samp" Santiago.

Gazzetta dello Sport Gasp wants Lavezzi (or Zarate) Napoli, what a lesson from Barca! Allegri, there will be room for Aquilani in Milan Juve, today is the day for Giaccherini. Then Alex or Lugano Balotelli: "I'd like to play at Palermo" Abete negotiates, strike avoided Tuttosport Giaccherini-Juve: Yes!

Esposto: Aquilani to AC Milan is two days away

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-08-23 11:22:37 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the opinion of Kop That.

AC Milan chief hoping club can complete deal for Aquilani

Silvio Berlusconi confirms the Serie A side are hoping to land the Liverpool midfielder

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-08-22 11:43:09 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Il famoso "Mister x", di ruolo mezzala (secondo quanto affermato nei giorni scorsi da Galliani), destinato ad indossare la maglia del Milan e a colmare il vuoto lasciato da Andrea Pirlo (ceduto all'inizio del calciomercato alla Juventus) sembra avere ormai un nome e un cognome ben definiti. Parliamo di Alberto Aquilani, centrocampista romano classe 1984,, [.

Squad sheets: Arsenal v Liverpool

Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool provided one of the horror moments of last season for Arsenal when they equalised in the 102nd minute at the Emirates, and they might not get a better chance to inflict more pain. Arsène Wenger is under siege, with his problems taking in a clutch of injuries and suspensions, Samir Nasri, and the difficulties in making signings.

Gazzetta dello Sport Ibra, He Stings Last minute signings Tevez, Aquilani, Alex: It's a sprint Udinese in London with a dream First round draw of Mou-Pep tie Messi weighs Chelsea, no goals. Villas Boas doesn't fly Tuttosport Vucinic speaks: "Juve, Champions League pronto" Inter challenge for Tevez Moratti is ready City on Sneijder Ibra, what a show Antenucci.

What Went Wrong For Liverpool Against Sunderland - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manager Kenny Dalglish unleashed his 100 million worth signings against Sunderland, still Liverpool were only able to earn a single point from the game. After an impressive first half of dictating the play, Liverpool somehow completely turned off in the second one.

What Went Wrong For Liverpool Against Sunderland - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Manager Kenny Dalglish unleashed his 100 million worth signings against Sunderland, still Liverpool were only able to earn a single point from the game. After an impressive first half of dictating the play, Liverpool somehow completely turned off in the second one.

Squad sheets: Liverpool v Sunderland

Liverpool have lost an opening-day home fixture only twice since 1962, and having spent £54m since bidding farewell to the most topsy-turvy season on record there is justifiable expectation on Kenny Dalglish's team to gain early momentum against this summer's other reconstruction work.

Liverpool will make a last ditch bid for Fiorentina winger Juan Manuel Vargas, with the club hoping to steal the march on Juventus, according to Peru news outlet Andina.
Vargas was said to be close to agreeing a deal with Juventus worth £9 million. The Peruvian has made 80 appearances for Fiorentina and scored 12 goals.

10am ET, live in the US on FSC
Last four head-to-head:
2-0 Liverpool (a) 03.20.11
2-2 (h) 09.25.10
3-0 Liverpool (h) 03.28.10
0-1 Sunderland (a) 10.17.09
Referee: Phil Dowd
Guess at a line-up:
Reina
Kelly Carragher Agger Aurelio
Lucas Adam
Kuyt Suarez Downing
Carroll
Once more into the breach and whatnot.

AC Milan offer Aquilani Serie A lifeline

Italian giants have made contact with Reds about a proposed move for the midfielder

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-08-12 13:07:37 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Gazzetta dello Sport Juve double assault Prandelli says "If Cassano stays at Milan, will be a regular" Galliani applauds Montolivo-Aquilani "They are Mr X and Mr Y" De Laurentiis to go to Spain for Rossi Inter: Tevez or Lavezzi on the way Eto'o perhaps in Russia by August 21 De La Pena goes, offer increased for Osvaldo Gilardino for Genoa, Maxi Lopez towards Florence .

The Liverpool line-up for the home friendly against Valencia on August 6th has been confirmed as follows:

Starting 11:
Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Spearing, Henderson, Adam, Downing, Aquilani, Carroll.

Subs:
Doni, Cole, Maxi, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Lucas, Ngog, Kelly, Flanagan, Robinson.

Liverpool field strong lineup for their final preseason match today vs Valencia.

Liverpool Lineup: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Adam, Henderson, Spearing, Aquilani, Downing, Carroll.

Subs: Jones, Doni, Cole, Maxi, Kyrgiakos, Kuyt, Lucas, Ngog, Kelly, Flanagan, Robinson.

First Half
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Robinson
Henderson Spearing Adam
Downing Carroll Kuyt
Second Half
Reina
Johnson Carragher Agger Robinson
Spearing Adam
Kuyt Henderson Downing
Carroll
Subs:
• 69' – Ngog for Carroll
• 69' – Kelly for Johnson
• 69' – Flanagan for Robinson
• 80' – Sterling for Downing
• 80' – Shelvey for Adam
• 80' – Aquilani for Henderson
• 90+1' – Sama for Agger
Goals:
Strand 14'
Ogude 19' (pen)
Carroll 44'
Agger 82' 88'
Fellah 90+4'
Hey, at least Liverpool didn't lose!

The LFC Team to face Valerenga tonight in a pre-season friendly is as follows:

Starting 11:
Reina, Johnson, Robinson, Carragher, Agger, Downing, Adam, Spearing, Kuyt, Henderson, Carroll.

Subs:
Doni, Ngog, Sama, Sterling, Flanagan, Aquilani, Shelvey, Kelly.

Gazzetta dello Sport Inter Market There is Maicon for Tevez Eto'o negotiates Casemiro gets closer Milan on Aquilani and Cassano to Genoa can bring in Kucka Vucinic is in Turin Perotti or Vargas for the left Di Natale: "I'll reach 150 goals then I'll look for a new Sanchez" Tuttosport The plan for Nani Alex takes on Lugano Balotelli beats Inter.

(Bleacher Report) Aquilani was supposed to be the £20million hero under Rafael Benitez in his final season as Liverpool's manager. However, a season that was ripe with injury, despite several masterful showings did not do enough to prove to short term manager Roy Hodgson that he was worthy of keeping.

Doni
Flanagan Kelly Kyrgiakos Robinson
Poulsen Shelvey
Degen Cole Insua
Carroll
Subs:
• 46' – Kuyt for Degen
• 46' – Aquilani for Robinson
• 46' – Jones for Doni
• 68' – Spearing for Shelvey
• 70' – Ayala for Kelly
• 82' – Coady for Poulsen
• 82' – Wisdom for Carroll
Goals:
Baros 8' 39'
Elmander 85'
Almost exactly like Hull, except the third conceded came much later and was far sloppier, and without the wholesale halftime changes.

• Kop That: What are the odds Sergio Aguero hits 20 Premier League goals this season? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day http://bit.ly/qUAtHF 23:29:15, 2011-07-28
• Kop That: James McCarthy's talks with Wigan break down http://bit.ly/oFFPaj 22:23:50, 2011-07-28
• Kop That: No Istanbul miracle for Liverpool this time http://bit.

Per un certo periodo di tempo, dal 2009 al 2011, Alberto Aquilani e il Liverpool sono stati in "rima" l'uno con l'altro, oggi invece le assonanze di suoni, ma soprattutto di intenzioni provengono da Firenze. Il procurato del giocatore Franco Zavaglia ha allontanato quelle voci che vedevano difficile l'intesa con la Fiorentina "l'operazione non è [.

Aquilani's Fiorentina move falls through

Serie A side were unable to agree a fee for the midfielder

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-07-28 09:32:33 from: The Mirror

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

NEW Serie A blog! What now for the unwanted £20m man Aquilani?

For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to bring you even more great football reads every single day. We'll be slowly introducing you to them over the coming weeks so that by the time the first ball of the 2011-12 season is kicked in anger, you'll be firm friends.