A football journeyman in a way, from Highbury to St. Andrews. Rafa Benitez and Liverpool rescued him from imminent relegation, gave him a chance and you could probably say he did just enough to secure himself a place and future in Liverpool for the near future.
But what a way to score your first ever goal for the club, against the might of Chelsea, past a probably rusty but still good enough Petr Cech from that range. It takes a technically gifted player with excellent vision to do that and indeed, he finished it in style.
In case you didn't know, in this morning's Copa America match between Argentina and Paraguay, our very own Monster Mascherano scored his first ever goal for Argentina and what a goal it was!
I've been hooked on Prison Break lately and I can't help but look at those people in it and laugh at myself how familiar they look. I know, it's not healthy to look at so many guys but hey, I watch football week in, week out as well.
So as I was watching, off my mind I thought of a few characters in Prison Break that looks like real life footballers. You'll be amazed how uncanny they look..
Michael Scofield & ManYoo's Alan Smith
Fernando Sucre & Olivier Dacourt
T-Bag & Franck Ribery + Gary Neville (seems like an imbreeding :p)
Sergeant Bellick & former Liverpool player, Steve McMahon!
Another one from our skipper but one that nobody will remember despite being a wonderful goal. It was one of the 3 goals we scored during the 3-6 defeat at the hands of Arsenal, at Anfield. It was a painful night and the goal didn't mean much but that goal probably speaks a lot about him.
From the goal you could just tell how special he is, technically one of the best midfielders around.
We know his goatee is probably the best thing since sliced bread and it has been on Liverpool fan's lips for the past week but during the official unveiling of Fernando Torres, where he held a press conference, Rafa once again showed a humorous side of him and reminds us of why we love the goatee man so much.
Reporter - So are you happy for him (Bellamy) to stay?
Benitez - Who? Fernando Torres?
Reporter - No. Bellamy
Benitez - Yes, I know. I'm joking
Reporter - So??
Benitez - Yes, I am very happy for Torres to stay.
Finally, one of football's worst kept secret is out.
Despite Atletico Madrid's president coming out to calm the storm in recent days, it didn't stop the 'El Nino' from hitting Merseyside. It's Fernando Torres we're talking about, a new club record signing from Spain. For the past 2 weeks, speculation had been rife and today is the day that the saga come to an end.
For a financially stable and modest club like Liverpool, it's hard to see us splashing millions around but this time round, it won't be the same. 14 million GBP was our last record and it went awry from then on.
Now, much is at stake despite the American owners bankrolling and providing Rafa the necessary cash. They'll want instant success and return for however much they're going to splash this summer and much of the spotlight will be on Fernando Torres, the new 20million GBP signing.
It's high expectation on our part while there'll be many eyes glancing this direction, whether is it from Manchester or London. Is he the one who'll bring glory back to Anfield? Will he crumble under pressure?
As a 19 year old, the management of Atletico Madrid might have seen something in him, naming him the skipper of the club. At that age, most of the footballers are probably still hanging out in pubs and having some drinks but this is the young lad with huge responsibility thrusted on his lean shoulders.
Pressure will always be there but I feel he's adequate and more than prepared to face them. Atletico might not be a bigger club than Liverpool (no offence) but to be playing in the Spanish La Liga for the past 5 or so season means that he's already considered a 'veteran' in some sense.
His arrival might spark another red revival and that we're now ready to attract some top level players rather than being stuck with the also-rans and has-beens. The price tag is also lower than expected and that if we are able to add to the ranks with some quality wingers like Ricardo Quaresma or Mancini, I'm anxious yet excited to see how the team will line up next season.
We know Marca is a very well respected newspaper back in Spain and that they are reliable. I just got the scan for this morning's paper and this is what it says:
In black letters: "Fernando Torres is now in Liverpool and he will pass the medical check."
In big letters: "You'll never walk alone."
In red: "After closing the deal he wants to come back to Madrid to say gooday to Atletico supporters."
As they say, all good things come to an end. With new owners ready to splash big cash for bigger names, Rafa Benitez finally decides that one of his golden boys, Luis Garcia, is now dispensable and the Spanish forward has finally fulfilled his dreams, moving back to his homeland.
Brought in from Barcelona for around 6million GBP, Garcia is one of the first few players that joined Rafa in his 'Rafalution' at Anfield. A trusted player back in his Tenerife days, the artisan is brought in to add an extra dimension to Liverpool's attack as well as creativity.
But we all know artisans and connoisseurs tends to be unpredictable. Their ingenuity can really be a double edged sword. They never fail to provide us with entertainment and their flair are a pleasure to watch on the pitch. They're unpredictable yet their strength is also their ultimate flaw.
Because it's almost impossible to weave magic all the time, their volatile self means that there'll be times when they begin to blow hot and cold. Their unpredictability on the ball also became capricious in terms of performance on the pitch.
But whatever it is, it's players like Luis Garcia who brings back wonderful memories, the times when his magic 'worked' and that it turned into something spectacular. He's known for his frustratingly poor first touch and inability to hold up the ball but he'll always be remembered for scoring some really important goals.
The past 3 seasons has been very rewarding for Rafa and his men and one could not dissociate the days of glory from Luis Garcia's flamboyant style of play. His goals against Juventus, which looped over Gigi Buffon, the goal against Chelsea which stirred up a whole lot of controversies and talking point and also various other performances during our road to Istanbul and Cardiff last season.
4million GBP to Atletico Madrid might seemed peanuts to many but it is his own desire to return for Spain and to once again, play for his former club. At the age of 29, maybe Garcia felt that it's time to move on and that he has earned himself enough honour and respect playing for Liverpool for the past 3 seasons, winning the FA Cup and the prestigious Champions League.
Also, injury setbacks in the 2006/07 season means that Garcia would be a doubt in terms of long period fitness and that Rafa might not want to bank on him and his reccuring injury.
Despite clearly one of Rafa's favourites, he wasn't given a new contract and that Liverpool decides to cash in on the forward.
His ability to make people go wild yet also makes people pull their hair out is something unique about Lil' Luis and that we'll most definitely miss him after he's gone. His charisma and his thumb-sucking goal celebration will always be remembered while we wish him all the best back in Spain.
His ability is never in doubt, thanks for the memories, Luis.
It's easy to forget about this goal. Actually, I didn't know Fowler scored such a beauty and only when I started reviewing the past goals then did I realise the 'God' of Anfield scored such a composed chip despite everyone thinking he's past it.
After a long romance with Liverpool, Fowler decides to leave this summer and we're already down on our knees and pray that the next number '9' will be able to do the same, finish with calmness, composure and coolness.
Founded on the 25th March 2006, this blog is not only for the Liverpool fans, but for anyone who loves football. Latest stories, banters, personal thoughts, up to date match reports, videos, pictures and a whole lot more!
If you have any stories to share or wishes to contact me, please mail to:skyjames87@gmail.com
Posts
