16: Xabi Alonso vs Newcastle

Back to the top 25 goals of the 2006/07 season!



The only reason why the goal isn't higher up the chart is because the goalkeeper then, Steve Harper, fumbled and was doing push-ups during the goal. But what technique from the Spanish playmaker. Anyone who plays football knows how difficult it is to actually hit the target, without even mentioning from the halfway line!

Although the goalkeeper's mistake is deemed the reason why Alonso scored, take nothing away from him. He hit the target from so far out and how many times have we seen players scoring and celebrating with the goalkeepers first!

It's probably because he scored it too far away from the front line.

Fixture List For 2007/08

Probably a bit late but I think it's important for fans and writers to analyse the fixture list. We've seen how important a good fixture list is to a club like how Man United got a pretty decent first 4 to 5 games and once they got their momentum on, they started to steamroll over teams.

So instead of doing a research on only Liverpool, I'll widen the scope and look at all the big 4 clubs.


Arsenal

vs Fulham (H)

vs Blackburn (A)

vs Man City (H)

vs Portsmouth (H)

vs Tottenham (A)

It's a pretty decent run in starting with Fulham, whom we all know, looked the most likely to be the whipping boys in the Premiership 'old boys' group. But there are also tricky trips to Ewood Park as well as an early visit to rivals, Spurs' White Hart Lane. Portsmouth might also pose a threat although Arsenal might feel happy enough to start off with a home game.


Chelsea

vs Birmingham (H)

vs Reading (A)

vs Liverpool (A)

vs Portsmouth (H)

vs Aston Villa (A)

On paper, looked a little easier than Arsenal's with them welcoming Premiership new boys, Birmingham, to Stamford Bridge in the openning game. Although the game against Liverpool is a little too early for anyone's liking, it's still finely poised and if the Blues can overcome the Reds early on, it might give them the extra boost they need for the title race.


LIVERPOOL

vs Aston Villa (A)

vs Chelsea (H)

vs Sunderland (A)

vs Derby (H)

vs Portsmouth (H)

It's always not the best to start off the season away from home especially Liverpool's tendency to be so absolutely tosh away from home. But it's always a good thing to play the 2 new teams early on although I'm not suggesting they will be all easy 3 points.

The Chelsea game early on is a good test for the team as both teams will be fresh and eager and it'll probably be a test of the quality of the squad.

And I notice what a horrid fixture Portsmouth has at the beginning of the season....


ManYoo

vs Reading (H)

vs Portsmouth (A)

vs Man City (A)

vs Tottenham (H)

vs Sunderland (H)

Probably quite an easy run in but like the other clubs, they play their major rival quite early on in the season. The meeting with Man City should be an interesting one while having Spurs and Portsmouth could potentially be banana skins for the defending champions.

I've done the early season run in for the big 4 clubs and looking at the entire fixtures list of our beloved Liverpool FC, here are some important matches to be noted. One day before my birthday, it'll be Liverpool vs Everton, the Merseyside derby. The match is also smacked right in between a visit from Spurs and also a trip down south to face Arsenal.

Then on 15th December, we'll welcome the Red Devils to Anfield.

In early February, the Reds will face off with Chelsea in the reverse fixture and the Blues will be facing Portsmouth prior to the visit and then to White Hart Lane after that. It'll prove to be quite a tough 3 weeks for Chelsea.

And then from late March to early April will be Liverpool's toughest stretch by far with firstly a visit to Old Trafford, then entertaining bitter rivals, Everton and then off to the Emirates to play Arsenal.

But what I'm doing is only speculating and we know that talking football on paper never really works. Whatever happens, we will hope that Liverpool do their best to get maximum points from the first few games and it'll probably enable the team to go an extra mile later in the season.

Back To Business

Alright, I hear the loud cheer here. I'm finally back from the holidays, physically, spiritually and mentally recharged and ready to get on with the formalities of life again.

It's encouraging to see you people still chatting on the tagboard and my apologies for not replying because there's too many and I don't know where to start with! But anyway I'll try to do it from tomorrow onwards and keep in contact with you guys.

So apparently I haven't missed out much since Liverpool STILL haven't sign up any players yet and there isn't anything major other than the fixtures list which looked pretty decent with Aston Villa first. But being a poor away team, perhaps it's time we make things right from the start of the season while playing Chelsea at Anfield early on might be a good thing.

And time for everyone to congregate here again. =)

Drogballs Taking A Break

Alright, so I'm off to Port Dickson, Malaysia from tomorrow (Monday) to 15th (Friday). Anyway you guys can still go on and have your regular chat over at the tagboard.

Enjoy the summer, guys :)

A Year Ago, Today

Maybe only sentimental people like me would remember such a date but it's okay if you don't.

One year ago, on this very day, the hugely anticipated FIFA World Cup was officially opened and the curtain raiser match, which was host nation, Germany, played minnows, Costa Rica. It was a rather unconvincing performance from the Germans but little did they know how far they went.

Don't you miss those days? Just sitting around watching football all night long. Yes, the matches usually starts off at around 9pm over here and it's never-ending football till around 5am in the morning.

There are many forgettable matches here and there but compared to the 2002 World Cup in Japan/Korea, it was fractionally better with more drama, less controversies.

Don't you miss those days? It would be a pleasure to hear from you about the 'World Cup days'. Did you follow it closely 24/7 like I do or did you actually had a change to watch it live at the stadium? I would love to hear the experiences people had and also reminisce on the good times!

I'll leave you with some great goals from that very World Cup. Enjoy!

Best Goals Fifa World Cup 2006
Uploaded by Knox_Arabic

17: Steven Gerrard vs Man City

The goal that personifies Gerrard the most. Dirk Kuyt's tireless harrying of defenders caused the City defence to surrender possession and Steven Gerrard, as always, breaking in front his central midfield position and the marksmen from outside the box was on target once again.

It was the only goal in the game, which speaks about the importance of this goal.