What's Happening?

Wow, a really eventful month of January passed by and still, I have much problem figuring what is going on here at Liverpool FC.

What's happening to the team on the pitch? We haven't won a single game since Boxing Day, mind you. If it isn't worrying then start to, because we're a massive 17 points behind leaders ManYoo (Even by saying that, I feel the stab in my heart).

Almost outplayed by West Ham at Upton Park was hard to watch. It was a bitter pill to swallow but it killed my soul when Carragher conceded the penalty and Mark Noble making no mistake, condemning Liverpool to the abyss. Well, at least it stopped us from drawing games....

What's happening with the Javier Mascherano deal? It should be sealed as soon as possible yet it always seemed like anything to do with Mascherano and Liverpool ends up with the words 'last minute'. Like how we signed him at the nick of time last season, we did the same but failed.

He's an important asset and one of the best in the business but there's a worrying thought that he's being tempted to leave in the summer after such an abysmal season, yet again. Rafa Benitez's future at the club is also one of the keys that he'll consider if he is to put the pen on the paper.

Although he really doesn't contribute much to the attack, he is really one heck of a player in the middle of the park. We need quality and he is that.

Oh, and finally, what's happening to technologies and Microsofts nowadays when a transfer deal is still done over a facsimile. Yes, a fax machine, in 2008!

Lazio president Claudio Lotito has revealed the signing of defender David Rozehnal nearly fell through because of a pair of errant fax machines.

The Czech Republic international moved to the Stadio Olimpico on loan for the rest of the season from Premier League side Newcastle on transfer deadline day.

But Lotito revealed to Sky Sport Italia: "There was a problem with the fax machines - one was broken and the other one had run out of ink.

"But we sorted the deal in the nick of time and we are satisfied."

Well, I guess at least the fax is still very reliable, considering the millions of geeks and technofreaks trying their best to create viruses and hack into email accounts. But seriously, just imagine if the transfer didn't go through and the reason being...

The fax ran out of ink. Sorry boss. Great excuse!

A Ray Of Hope

The delirious scenes following Tuesday's north London derby dragged me back to a similar night at White Hart Lane in May 1971.

With three minutes left, Ray Kennedy's header delivered the title to Arsenal, sending the Gooners into delirium.

Kennedy, 20, scored 19 League goals in that Double season.

Three years later he joined Liverpool, Bob Paisley turning him into an attacking midfielder.

Kennedy won 17 England caps, six First Division titles, three European Cups, one FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, Fairs Cup, European Super Cup and even a Welsh Cup with Swansea.

But, after Parkinson's Disease ravaged his body at the age of 34, he had to put those caps and medals up for auction, just to stay alive. Since his 1991 testimonial, he has had no steady income, is unable, like other ex-players, to cash in on coaching, media or after-dinner work and his condition has seriously deteriorated.

But he hasn't been forgotten.

Liverpool and Arsenal fan groups have joined forces to launch a Ray of Hope Appeal to try to give their former hero, now 56, some sort of quality of life. They are organising events in both cities over the next year, but are calling on all other fans touched by Ray's plight to help him immediately. This legend desperately needs money to meet his medical and domestic demands and any cash you give will make a massive difference.

So please pledge something to rayofhopeappeal@hotmail.co.uk, or send a cheque to the Ray of Hope Appeal c/o HSBC account 21817299 sort-code 40-03-27


Can't help but put up an advertisement for the cause.