Keane Arrives At Merseyside

The last time I was so anxious in breaking in a transfer news was last year, this time, when our very own number 9 showed up at Melwood. He stood side by side with Rafa Benitez and he turned out to be one of the revelations of last season.

Obviously, Fernando Torres is his name and he did set the Premiership on fire last season with countless of brilliant goals.

His partnership with Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly one of the most potent in Europe last season, both of them working seamlessly on the pitch, helping out each other with assists.

But the dependence on the duo is apparent. Without any one of the these two components, Liverpool failed to break down stubborn defences and dropped some valuable points along the way.

Of course Rafa tried his best to solve the problem with his remaining strike force of Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin. But other than Crouch, the remainder of them were not potent enough and struggled to provide goals for the team.

Now, with Crouch leaving for Portsmouth, Voronin's move to Germany imminent and Kuyt's transformation into a wing-forward complete, he knew he had to find a partner for Torres upfront, soon. He knew very well that this summer is the make or break one for him as the players he is investing are going to be the one which ultimately means he'll come even closer to his first Premiership crown, or a boot at the end of the season for yet another season of disappointments.

I see him now, being in the very same position with Gerard Houllier back in 2003. It is the situation where the team is almost complete but there is one or two players missing. It is like trying to fit a jigsaw puzzle, with chances of the last few pieces being the one that fits perfectly, or have the potential to fail spectacularly.

Obviously from history, we know that Houllier chose the wrong players and ended up with the latter circumstance. The rest of what happened should be discussed as little as possible.

Now, Rafa being in the same position, had to make the safest, yet the most dangerous gamble in his career at Anfield probably. The signing of Robbie Keane. The Irish arrived from Spurs yesterday after passing his medical and will don the number 7 of Liverpool.

Why would I say it's the safest, yet most dangerous gamble? It is obvious that this risk is very much down to the price of Robbie Keane himself, almost reaching 20 million pounds in total. He is after all, a 28 year old player with maybe 6 years max to his career span.

But I believe that above all, his Premiership stats speaks for itself and the number of goals he scored in the Premiership doesn't need to be justified. It most definitely speaks about the quality and consistency of the Irish striker, who seemed to have been playing football forever.

He had the chance to sign up for this very club he supported at 17 but rejected the Reds, stating that he'll be able to find first team football outside the Merseyside giants and indeed, he went on from Wolves to the prestigious Inter Milan, where he made waves in the Italian league before sealing a deal back in England with Tottenham.


Liverpool fans might have been wanting players like David Villa to add on to our ranks but I believe Rafa and many of us had the same idea. And that is to buy players with real quality (not doubting Villa) and someone who has ultimately, proven himself at the highest level as well as one who has already played in the Premiership.

Rafa Benitez definitely needs his players to be at their best right from the start of the season to truly mount a title challenge and he believe that Robbie Keane is just the man to support and add on to the already impressive firepower up front through Gerrard and Torres.

Also, having a leadership role in Tottenham means that he's matured and has the necessary mental toughness and qualities to play under Benitez. We know that the Spanish tactician isn't finding players who have boundless flair or limitless ability, but thinking players and footballers who can think for themselves.

I believe Keane fits the bill perfectly and will form a really fearsome partnership with Torres in the season to come. His experience and goal poaching ability will come in hand in hand with Torres' flamboyance and grace on the pitch.

Though the price is a little steep, it most definitely worth it, speaking through the eyes of faith in Rafa. One thing for sure and that is he improved the team and will most definitely make an impact in the league for the Reds.

Ian Rush's New Autobiography

Liverpool's record goalscorer with 346 goals and a legend that transcends generation. Which Liverpool fan isn't mildly interested in his very own story?

This upcoming book named 'Rush: The Autobiography' is an honest yet scintillating book with insights into his journey from a rough-edged Welsh teenager to the most devastating finisher in British football.

Rushʼs story is a near-mythical tale of triumph and tragedy. Declining offers from Manchester United and Birmingham City, on leaving school he joined Chester City and progressed through the reserves to become a first-team regular. His goal-scoring exploits soon attracted interest from Liverpool and, only eighteen, he signed for them for a British record fee. Thrust into the ranks of an already great side when still a teenager, Rush struggled to find his self-belief and make his mark before growing as a player and a man to become their deadliest striker. He went on to win 5 League Championships, 3 FA Cups, 5 League Cups and the European Cup, as well as twice being named Footballer of the Year and winning Europeʼs Golden Boot in 1984.

His credentials alone makes this book an even more interesting one and the good news here is, it is coming out real soon! The autobiography will be out by mid-August and here's the deal for all you Red Cauldron readers....

If you're interested to get this book, there will be a special pre-order offer for you at a special price! So just drop me a mail if you're willing to purchase it. What are you waiting for?

'43 Years With The Same Bird' Extract

Last week I gave an insight into this new book which is about to hit the stores near you. Now exclusive to all Red Cauldron readers, is the extract from the book. And guess what, it's on the meeting with none other than Mr. Bill Shankly!

And here it is:

1971 MEETING THE MESSIAH
Bill Shankly's bare manhood stood three feet away from me. OK, stood is an exaggeration. We were getting on well, but not that well.

Slacks with a crease that could shave a werewolf's four-day shadow had been removed and placed on a dressing-room hook with his left hand. In his right was a pair of crumpled shorts so old you could smell the Boot Room on them. Then a question: "What school are you from again, son?"

"De La Salle."

And the shorts, which had made their way to the expectant toes of his left foot, were abruptly pulled away.

"A rugby school?"

"No. Football."

Relief. Then animation.

"Thank Christ for that. I hate rugby. I remember turning up at a new Air Force post inWales and asking for a football. This officer says to me 'We don't play football here, only rugby.' So I says right, give me a rugby ball and I'll squeeze it intee a fitball."

He burst into a raucous laugh and began to squeeze an imaginary oval ball into around shape. "Christ, it's funny what things come back to you. I'd forgotten all about that."

Let's get this straight. I'm joshing away with Bill Shankly at Melwood training ground like a groom and best man before a stag night.

I've been in his company only five minutes and he's already told me a story nobody has ever heard before. Granted, in the league table of Shankly anecdotes it's six points behind Stenhousemuir. But it's mine to drop casually into conversations for eternity.

As this dawns on me a shiver jolts the blood.

There's a sigh I have to emit in short bursts for fear of being sucked inside out. Fear drifts from my brain, spreading down to feet doing epileptic taps. It's a feeling I would experience over the next 30 years of professional life before doing an interview.

But I would never feel the pure rush of pride I felt that June morning, knowing that whatever miserable hand life might deal, my self-esteem would never scrape a barrel's bottom. I would always be able to look a boss, a foe or a put-down merchant in the eye and tell them that Bill Shankly once shared a unique anecdote with me.

With his pride and joy dangling in my eye-line. At 17, life could only go downhill. PS: Huge. Obviously.

Want to read more? The appetite wetting extract here is just part of an even larger collection of stories from a Liverpool fanatic, Brian Reade. Want to find out more or already all set to get this book? Click HERE for more!

Hello & Goodbye

If you thought this is a post about me, then sorry to disappoint you! I'm going nowhere but there seemed to be much activity going on around Melwood in recent days as players arrive and depart from the Liverpool training ground.

Rafa is well please to announce the arrivals of 3 players who are going to fill the ranks of the Liverpool first team next season. Philip Degan, Andrea Dosenna and Diego Cavalieri are unveiled and though they are not ground-breaking signings like Fernando Torres, let's hope that they will have a glorious career at the Reds, aiding us to the long-awaited Premiership crown.

Going the other way is none other than '2 meter Peter', who has been a cult favourite for the past 3 years. His move to Liverpool sparked a revival in his career with participation in the 2006 World Cup and also Champions League final last season.

It is sad to see him leave Liverpool obviously, knowing that he has the qualities of a good player and you have to take your hats off for him as he, against all odds, proved himself to be a top player with important and spectacular goals.

His contributions to the Reds should not be underestimated and I shall wish him all the best in the south coast (just don't score against us next season, that is).


Meanwhile, Harry Kewell has finally departed. Phew

43 Years With The Same Bird

Amidst the fever that's surrounding the European Championships, the very fact that you're reading this is because YOU'RE A LIVERPOOL FAN! Don't ever forget that!

So I'm here to inform you, my fellow Reds out there, that there is going to be a highly anticipated book named '43 Years With The Same Bird' that is going to be released soon. Written by Brian Reade, a lifelong Liverpool fan and award winning journalist, he is going to touch on the moments which impacted him and probably us as well.

It is Brian's take on the extraordinary stories behind the 48 trophies he has seen Liverpool lift since watching them en route to their first-ever FA Cup win in 1965, right through to the Champions League defeat in Athens in 2007. It takes in all of the big nights that propelled the club to five European Cups, three UEFA Cups, 12 titles, countless domestic cup triumphs, bitter failures, the tragic disasters in Sheffield and Brussels, as well as the barren years of the late 60s and the 90s.

Already sounding fantastic to me! As Liverpool fans, we know there's one thing that binds us all and it's our sentimentalism and how we pride ourselves in 'those good old days'. While we move forward with Rafa Benitez and his Spanish armada, it wouldn't be a harm looking back and reminiscing on the events which 'shook the Kop'.

For more, please check out his latest podcast HERE and do mail me if you're interested. I'll most definitely point you to the person whom will answer all your questions.

What Will They Do?!

Everyone has a dream and everyone just wants someone to fulfill it for them. How about seeing Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and even Thierry Henry in your own directed commercial? That must be a dream coming true for most of us, football fans. For you, maybe to watch the Euro 2008 finals in front of a crystal clear, 52inch HD TV. Well, here’s your chance!

Pepsi is ready to give out free prizes and all you need to do is to enjoy the new and improved, Pepsi Max! Along with the facelift, Pepsi Max is a brand new drink that is low in sugar and calorie yet not compromising on the enjoyable cola taste. It’s definitely a healthier choice for those who enjoys Pepsi and what’s better than having your favourite drink and standing a chance to win a 52 inch HD TV? It’s even more apt during this very season as you’ll be able to view the matches of the upcoming Euro 2008, seeing Cesc Fabregas’ mesmerizing playmaking skills, Messi’s dazzling dribbles and Henry’s clinical finishes.

Not only that! Gamers also find themselves in luck as there will be 4 sets of Playstation 3 while players of CabalSEA will be interested to hear about the 10 free Astra Boards as well as posters to be given out as prizes!

So what are you waiting for?! If Pepsi is able to make these people’s dream come true, why not yours? Just pop a can of the new Pepsi Max and it is simple as that. Grab it before it’s too late!

Click here for more information!

LFC, Simpson's Style!

It was South Park and now it's Simpsons. Thanks to Bimal for the photo of Liverpool in Simpson's style. Hilarious to see everyone in their yellow skin and I thought Riise looks... just like in real life!

Liverpool, South Park Style

Not done by me. Cute, nevertheless.

Fantasy Football Final Table

Like how most of the Europeans league are wrapping up their final game, The Red Cauldron's very own fantasy football league over at premierleague.com has also ended since the English Premiership has came to a halt.

The following is the final table of the fantasy league and congratulations to Keith Lee for being an excellent manager of players and I hope that your foresight in football won't go down into waste!

For the rest, thank you for your support and enthusiasm throughout the season unlike me, who didn't bother changing players :P

#	Team	Manager		Total
1	Runaway Beefcakes :)	Keith Lee		2170
2	Baggsy Me Up Front	Chris Oakley		2055
3	KernoWKillerS	Richard Parris		2001
4	KissmyAss	Anti Blackman		1987
5	Ball Bag's FC	Aron Hyde		1979
6	De Trout Spinners	Mark V		1965
7	Karl's Korkers	Karl Smith		1951
8	Kop army	Ritchie C		1925
9	Dfenners of the turf	Dan Fenn		1924
10	[L]iverpool [F.C]	robbie asrawe		1897
11	the shrubbers	philip chatham		1888
12	Asian Sensations	Prad J		1870
13	19-6	David Lam		1862
14	The Bodohs!	Nic Tan		1849
15	Hanzo	Sin Han		1837
16	The Unbeatables	Loo Louis		1812
17	ostrichs	egil steinsland		1811
18	Team TIA	Prashanth Gopinath		1806
19	XI	l e o n a r d		1802
20	aussieliverpoolian07	ryan sawdy		1795
21	Real Muscle Hotspur	Andrew Moore		1793
22	noobedish	Mohd Farid		1788
23	Yarmy 07/08	Steve Mann		1788
24	Naja, the cute girl	Azhali Edwin		1785
25	Liverpool FC	Yue Bo Leung		1758
26	The Fluorescents	michael pearcey		1745
27	kornyken FC	ken lim		1740
28	DeViL|X||	ang ms		1723
29	mandwarf fc	THIS IS ANFIELD		1719
30	RiosRovers	Mart Rios		1716
31	Maoists	Marcus Tan		1693
32	Party Favours FC	Jon Yates		1667
33	FWPFC	Fraser Peh		1647
34	Drogballs' Doggers	James Pang		1645
35	Dhirani's Reds	Irfan Dhirani		1643
36	Maui Reds	John Doe		1632
37	Eadle FC	Edward Anderson		1603
38	Sandwell Dynamo	Les Trumpeter		1591
39	Hairy Lalas	Chun Lian Chong		1591
40	The Red Cauldron	Ritchie Odak		1568
41	Pride Of Bengal	abul sadiq		1564
42	top kop	chris seymour		1531
43	Insomniax	Mohamed Maail Rasheed		1527
44	dcdx11	Dean Douglas		1520
45	Kop14	ahmed shanah		1509
46	Chrome	Ritchie Odak		1501
47	Liverbirds	Jamie Tyrrell		1488
48	Kop allstars	Hoodstar C		1480
49	the boogle bears	amy catterall		1378
50	bengal dons	muj muj		1371

51 Welsh Wanderes will catterall 776

Blues Survives Late Reds Scare

Chelsea Reach First Ever European Cup Final

Chelsea 3 - 2 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
CHE - Drogba (33, 105), Lampard (pen 98);
LIV - Torres (64), Babel (117);

After years of continuous disappointments in the semi final stage by Liverpool, Chelsea finally had a sweet revenge of their own as they squeezed through into the Moscow final through Didier Drogba's brace and an emotional Frank Lampard's penalty.

For too long their efforts in various cup competition have been thwarted by Liverpool and they finally managed to dispatch the Reds off in style this time round. Back in 2005, they were beaten by a controversial Luis Garcia goal which Jose Mourinho called it 'a goal from outer space'. Then it was the '06 FA Cup semi final before losing to Liverpool on penalty once again last season.

The only difference this time is they play their 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge, which is a considerable advantage for the Blues as they haven't lose a single game there since 2004. Also, Liverpool haven't scored in 8 meetings there and the last winner there was scored by Bruno Cheyrou.

This time round, they broke that hoodoo but it just wasn't enough to get them to the 3rd Champions League finals in 4 years. Quite an amazing feat by Rafa Benitez but it just wasn't to be this time round.

His criticism on Didier Drogba prior to the game could've spurred the Ivorian striker on and he utterly silenced the Spanish tactician with a well-taken goal in the first half. The goal from an acute angle showed his desire to prove his status as one of the most dangerous strikers in football as well as his hunger and ability at this level.

And he wasn't done yet when he finishes off Liverpool late in extra time with a power drive that beats Pepe Reina. The Spanish goalkeeper made a couple of crucial saves to keep Liverpool in the game.

The game was also marred by strange refereeing decisions by the usually reliable Roberto Rosetti of Italy including Michael Essien's piledriver which looked perfectly normal but not in the eyes of the linesman.

The visitors escaped that scare but immediately, Sami Hyypia's mistake gave Chelsea a penalty and up steps Frank Lampard who didn't place the ball in the usual left hand spot. Up against one of the best penalty savers in the world, he showed great courage and composure. Well done.

It marked the collapse of Liverpool in the extra time as they failed to gain the foothold after dominating possession and managed to silence Chelsea in the second half, in which they scored through Spanish hotshot, Fernando Torres.

If there's a glimmer of bright spark in Liverpool's lacklustre 07-08 season, it's the rise of the 'El Nino', more than anything else. His signing have been justified fully and the 20 odd million paid in the summer seemed to have worth every penny. He latched onto Yossi Benayoun's brilliant through pass and slot it past Petr Cech without hesitation.

Great goal from a great player in the making.


Another oddity of the match would be the substitution of Torres right after Lampard had converted his penalty. He was replaced by Ryan Babel and though the super sub later got a goal of his own, it's still quite a puzzling decision, barring any injury on Torres himself.

It is to be a sweet revenge for Chelsea and after Roman Abramovich's heavy investment in the London club for the past 4 seasons, it finally reaped its harvest under Avram Grant, something which Jose Mourinho tried and failed.

Nothing better for a Russian owner to see his team fight it out for the European crown in his own capital city of Moscow.

For Liverpool, it's 4th place secured and a decent run in for this season's Champions League. After all the scares of early exits, they were resilient to the end, made it out and on the way, they met with giants and were able to overcome them.

Sometimes, you could fight for your life for something but it just doesn't go the way you want it. That probably sums it up and all we could say is well done and we're proud of the effort last night. At least now we could get a goal or two at Stamford Bridge and that we're just THIS close to yet another dream European cup final.

Make no mistakes, there is going to be a clearance this summer if DIC completes its task of taking over from the stubborn Tom Hicks. There are some players whom are really, not good enough for Liverpool if the Reds are to mount a serious challenge on the title next season and from this campaign, it's quite clear who will be out of the revolving door.

It'll be an all-English final, as Manchester United had guaranteed it on Tuesday night. It is really an English domination on the domestic front and the two best teams in England are going to fight it out to be the best in Europe. Mouth-watering prospect, isn't it?