Transfer Mania (January 11)
The start of 2011 has arrived as attention switches to Transfer Gossip, Loan Deals, Freebies and Bargains. A very important month for Chris Saunt with the Belgian Cup Quarter Final as well as trying to chase down Club Brugge in the title race.
Standard Liege sign Van Damme
Jelle Van Damme has returned to Belgium today from Wolves after previously playing for Les Rouches rivals Anderlecht. Van Damme has played for Wolves 11 times this season scoring 1 goal. The fee is a reported £2.5m which may sound some alarm bells for Liege fans with the club said to owe money on several loans taken out prior to Saunt joining the club.
Eric Bokanga's loan terminated
After just 1 sub appearance Eric Bokanga's loan deal has been cut short by Chris Saunt as he searches for a different kind of striker.
Genk 2 - 1 Standard
De Mul back in full training but doesnt feature today. New signing Van Damme starts. Anderlecht lost to AA Gent previously known by Liege before kick off. Axel Witsel got injured and was carried off after 5 minutes after a fair 50/50 challenge. Eliaqium Mangala came on to replace him. Boyata sent off after 21 minutes. Hans Dibi ON-OFF Prince Tagoe. On 38 minutes Hans Dibi was fouled in the box. Steven Defour stepped up to convert the sport kick. 80th minute and Standard down to 9 men as Mangala was forced off by injury. Standard Liege collapsed after that with Tozser equalising on 81 minutes and Daeseleire took lead on 86 minutes. Abismal 2-1 defeat for Liege.
Bye Goh Bi
Cyriac Goh Bi has been sold for £1.2m to TOM. Goh Bi didnt feature much with just 8 Games under his belt and just 1 Goal, The goal will always be remembered by Saunt though as it was the first scored under his management.
Standard 2 - 0 Lierse
Tom De Mul started for Liege and he looked lively but it was Defour who squared to Witsel on edge of box who slammed in the first goal. Vandooren sent off for Lierse on 83, Another penalty for Liege and Witsel scored it. Standard move into top stop for the time being, Anderlecht and Brugge still to play. Defour picked up an injury and will be missing for 4 weeks !!!
Axel Bonemme gone on loan to Sint-Niklaas till end of season.
Danilo Sousa Campos gone on loan to FC Brussells till end of season.
Standard 2 - 0 Cercle Brugge (Belgian Cup QTR-Final)
This Cup tie is finely poised after the 1st leg at 2-2. Witsel suspended and Defour out injured so without there talismanic midfield pair but despite that Liege were having all the play. It took until the 69th minute to finally get a goal, M'Baye Leye scores after substitute Franck Berrier whipped in a delicious cross to the far post. 1-0 on the night for Liege. Another Penaly awarded for a foul on Carcela. Right back Laurent Ciman stepped up to score his first goal for Standard Liege and it was timely time to get it as well. Standard win 4-2 on Aggregate.
Cedric Collet moves to CFR Cluj for £200k
Collet only made 4 sub appearances for Standard Liege this season and with left back competition being fierce he has fallen by the way side as Van Damme, Pocognoli and Daerden considered stronger choices that Cedric Collet.
Nicklas Pedersen joins the club on loan from FC Grongingen
A small loan has been paid (£24k) for the striker to stay until the end of the season. The Danish striker is still only 23 and possesses a great all round ability. He is under pressure at Liege though, with strikers goals at the club becoming very rare this season.
Club Brugge 2 - 0 Standard
This fixture earlier on the season was a dramatic 4-3 Brugge win. A contender for Pro League game of the season. Pederson debutises and Witsel is back from a ban. It seemed as though the Standard Liege players were overwelmed by the game and they flopped from kick off. A 10th minute goal from Vargas. And it was 2-0 after Kouemaha's wonder goal from 25 yards out. Standard Liege completely out played and couldnt recover from the early strikes from Brugge. Brugge will be delighted as they got 5 points clear.