'Pool Left It Late

UEFA Champions League

Last 16 First Leg

LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 Inter Milan

Liverpool bounced back from an utterly embarrassing result last weekend to put up a surprise 2-0 lead over Italian league leaders, Inter Milan. Rafa Benitez and his men were under intense pressure after they were knocked out of the English FA Cup by the unfancied Barnsley side.

Though considered giants in Europe, both teams were in different circumstances. Inter are currently the run-away leaders in the Serie A while maintained a wonderful record of 29 games unbeaten prior to the meeting at Anfield and they are the team to fear, with stars like Ibrahimovic and Figo, adding to their experienced squad.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are probably the most unstable club in England currently with the club's direction unclear. Whether Tom Hicks will sell his stake to DIC or not, remains a mystery and as long as that isn't cleared up, they are a rudderless ship with no direction.

Out of FA Cup and also having totally no chance in the domestic title, both teams have mixed fortunes and it's probably a mismatch at the moment, with Inter being a clear favourite and Liverpool, the wounded animal.

Yet it is in games like this that you see the best of Liverpool, adding to the mystifying questions surrounding Rafa Benitez and his men in red. Why are they so inconsistent? Why do they always perform when needed yet fail to accomplish task that many thought that they could?

Though the sending off of Marco Materrazzi in the 30th minute might have been the turning point of the game, it was the determination of the home side which enabled them to go into the second leg with much more confidence.

With 6 of the 11 starting players being defensive minded, you would've expected Inter to come to Anfield and try to neutralise Liverpool and hold on for a draw at the very least. The decision to play Javier Zanetti and Maxwell on the flanks was apparent that Roberto Mancini wants to let Liverpool have a go at them.

The 70-30 possession at the end of the game says it all about Liverpool's total domination of the match. 23 shots on goal to a meagre 2.

Inter didn't really bother, especially after the sending off of Materrazzi. Instead, it gave them an excuse to put 9 men behind the ball and hoped for the best. It actually did work for majority of the game but some inspired substitution from Rafa Benitez cracked the game open at the last moment.

His decision to bring on Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch were justified as both made their impact in the victory. Ryan Babel was very active throughout but he is never a out and out winger and therefore, limited when it comes to situations where he's not given too much space and opponents playing back against the wall.

Pennant, being a traditional winger, puts crosses in with fair amount of accuracy. Something which Liverpool didn't do throughout the game. His cross in the 80th minute found Dirk Kuyt, who duly delivered when called upon.

The plummet in form over the past few months was apparent but when he was called upon last night, he did the exact right thing and his volley went straight into the top corner. The Kop rejoiced.

For the previous 80 minutes, Liverpool toiled and threw almost everything at Inter as they gained control of the game totally. Yet their weakness was apparent and they just didn't have the cutting edge required to break down a world class defence, well marshaled by Ivan Cordoba.

It was a deja vu moment for most of the time as Liverpool forces Inter into the corner and yet couldn't find a way past Julio Caesar. Time and again, crosses were cleared and shots blocked. Peter Crouch and Fernando Torres both had great opportunities but failed to deliver.

It was just then, a moment of brilliance from the man under fire. His goal probably ease the pressure of another man under fire, Rafa Benitez. The very man who put in so much trust and faith and he really did him proud, like what a disciple would do to his master.

The game was then, beyond Inter as they were caught in no man's land. Should they attack and get the all important away goal? Or should they sit back and limit the damage?

At that point, doesn't matter really. Inter couldn't be bothered from the start and didn't bother even when Kuyt struck the goal. Star player, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, looked as hard working as Dimitar Berbatov ever was while Patrick Vieira didn't look like the player he once was.

Then came a moment of magic from the scouser magician, whom so often come up with the goods when expected. Mr Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, struck a wonder goal as the Inter defence watched in horror. It was totally out of the blues yet it is always the skipper who comes up with something extraordinary.

It really did send the Anfield faithfuls (or fans like me) into raptures. It was a special goal and it really gave Liverpool a huge advantage going into the second leg. Thought it will be held at San Siro in a fortnight's time, they would go into this game with confidence and also an apparent plan to stifle Inter in their own backyard.

Surely, that is something Liverpool would be good at? The very campaign which the Reds won the Champions League, they held on to a 2-1 lead at Stadio Del Alpi and against all odds, went through unscathed.

Could Liverpool make history repeat itself in Italy? It will be an intriguing one indeed.

Adebayor....

Suffers from a speech irregularity which is caused by too much rap-music in his input. Listen:

Carry On Adebayor!
by Rrrseblogging

Kids, DON'T learn that!

Stalemate At The Bridge

English Premiership

Chelsea 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL

The most predictable scoreline between the two had always been a goal less draw and yesterday's match proved to be yet another unsurprising one as Chelsea maintained their brilliant home record.

And Liverpool fell further behind the pack despite having played one less game.

Cliche as it sounds, familiarity certainly breeds contempt and it's a norm where Liverpool would play Chelsea in at least one of the cup ties and Rafa must be happy that at least his team didn't go down like they did in the League Cup tie.

All in all, it was a fair result at the end as both sides scuppered golden opportunities to take the lead. The game was as expected, tight and controlled, just like any of those between the 'Big Fours'. At times, it does look like a chess game, with Rafa and Avram Grant moving the pieces like chess masters.

Yet it was Liverpool who upped the tempo and looked most likely to score in the first period when Steven Gerrard's cross found Peter Crouch but he just couldn't conjure up enough power on the ball to beat Petr Cech.

It was one of the three chances that fell to him and the England striker failed to take advantage of it. Not very surprising, isn't it? Scoring has always been a problem for Liverpool, with strikers going on long goal droughts.

Adding fuel to fire, Fernando Torres was ruled out of this game because of a needless international friendly which he was involved in. With the top scorer out, the visitors were left with two profligate strikers, or was it one?

Dirk Kuyt has been pretty awful this season and he was utilised as a wing forward. He certainly needs to start scoring before the chopping knives are sharpened at the end of the season.


Second period of the game was played at a frenetic pace and the number of misplaced passes was horrid. At times, both teams looked like little school children, playing football for the very first time.

The midfield area was utterly congested with Liverpool deploying 3 central midfielders to negate Chelsea's tenacious midfield.

The referee too, was a fussy one as he didn't let the game flow and it turned into a really stop-start game. It was as though every nudge on the players were considered foul and though the game is supposed to be competitive by nature, Mike Riley was visibly being picky.

Chelsea, then, carved out a perfect opportunity but Michael Ballack wasn't able to get his shot on target.

It was a predictable end to a top of the table clash, especially for the Blues and the Reds. Chelsea failed to take advantage of the slip up by ManYoo earlier on after their defeat to Man City while Liverpool surely, out of the title race.

Happy Chinese New Year !

Amidst my busy schedule and visiting after visiting, I shall wish all Chinese readers of this blog a happy lunar new year.

Have a blessed new year ahead and 'Wan4 Shi4 Ru2 Yi4' (May all your wishes and dreams come true).

Drogballs out.

Egg On Face Moment

Over at Football365 forums, a wonderfully titled thread 'Woodgate: Transfer of the Season' became a laughing stock. Why? Have a look:

16:53: Tottenham 1-0 ManYoo

Thread Content:

2 Games
2 Clean sheets.

Eat S**t MotherF**k*r

Then....

1654: GOAL Tottenham 1-1 Man Utd

Very, very late doors. So late Van der Sar is up for the corner from which Carlos Tevez volleys home Nani's corner at the near post.


Seriously, never EVER post before the final whistle. ManYoo really have to thank the forummer for posting on that thread.

Again, 2 games, how many clean sheets? :P

For more, laugh here!

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.

Another Random Update

Guys, I'm back but not with a bang.

Well, it has been so depressing to read about Liverpool on the news nowadays because it never seemed to be for the right reasons. Seemed like our American owners have really screwed us over and now we can only wait and watch this tragedy-in-making unfold before our very eyes.

But this off field problem seemed to dissipate into the on-field matters as well because of how unprofessional and childish they acted. Yes, we know you had a high tea with Jurgen Klinsmann and had some cheese cakes but WHY do you need to put it up high on the official Liverpool website?

Is this some sort of trick to make Rafa jealous? If it is, then I think it wouldn't work on Rafa, ever. Seems to me like the American owners is like a guy who doesn't really like his current girlfriend and openly flirts with another in front of her.

Right. Quite apparent that we'll lose Benitez as well this summer IF the Americans are still on deck.

How much mess have we got into? Probably not all to blame the Hicks and Gillett as well. It was David Moores who agreed to sell Liverpool to the duo and what about Rick Parry? If everyone knew about what Hicks did to his baseball team, how on earth did the two key men NOT know that it was going to be a bad call.

Now we've been tossed and thrown in the waves of this turbulent wave of money, pride and greed. Is anybody even concerned about our club's heritage and history?

I guess in this age, nothing else but money matters anymore. For more money, everyone could do ANYTHING for it. We're a club probably made a scapegoat for these people and we don't even know.

Money, root of all evil? My arse, it's the very evil itself!

Question: If you could do something about this situation, what would you do? Remove the owners? Get DIC back in the frame? Sack Rick Parry for being totally anonymous? Tell me more about your views.

Home Kit for 2008/09

A wee bit early to release such information as we're only mid way into the 07/08 season but a reliable source claimed that the home kit for next season will not be the same as the current one, with minor changes.

Here is the 'as close as it gets' image:

And the description:

Home (Scarlet Red) with the adidas in the centerbelow the neckline and a kit similar to our current home kit. However, there is NO collar and there is a red/white croatia style design inside the yokit on the where the sizing is located with THIS IS ANFIELD and the liverbird. Its a very basic kit and v-neck with the adidas climacool technology also in red with small circles running down the sides on both sides of your sides.

There is also a yellow liverbird with THIS IS ANFIELD at the back, just below the neck line with the kit number below.

Carlsberg are still our sponsors in white. Adidas Stripes end 5 inch's before the end of the sleeves in white. The "croatia" style design inside the shirt collar area will defintely be a winner with most of you!

AWAY KIT (Grey) is a dull copy of our famous mid 80's candy/crown paints kit with Carlsberg in white and a duller grey with square box patterns across the entire kit. Its a different material from the home kit. It will be attractive to some, ugly to others. Stripes down the slEeve are RED and the neckline is red/grey round neck style jersey. Adidas in red in the center.

3RD KIT (SAGE Green): Another copy of sorts from our early 90's adidas kit with 3 stripes down the sleeve in white instead (as compared to the verticle style stripes of the old 90's kit), adidas in the center, carlsberg in white and a BLACK collar. Its very very simple looking so its also either going to appeal to you or it isnt. Material is alot closer to the home kit.

Thanks to forummer bravo270 on RAWK for the information. For more, do head down here for feedback and your complains. No harm doing it on my tagboard as well ;)

New Year, New Hope?

My apologies for leaving this blog totally by itself for the past months. I've been busy working and heavily involved in other things more important than football.

But anyway, welcome to 2008 and here is a reminder that I'll be called into serving the nation during March so expect this blog to be even more empty after that. I have no choice but to leave you guys and concentrate on giving my best to my nation.

Anyway, it hasn't been a good start for Liverpool in 2008. Disappointing yet true. The first premiership match of the year was Wigan and a supposed new start to the year may probably bring an abrupt end to Liverpool's title hopes.


It has been almost 2 decades since Liverpool had won the domestic title and it looked set to carry on for yet another season.

It was a disappointing game from start to end, bar the brilliant Fernando Torres goal, which oozed class but that was about it. With only Torres performing and the rest ranged from mediocre (I'm looking at you, John Arne) to average, no doubt the burden is more than what the Spaniard could carry.

Then the haphazard performance was on the encore at Kenilworth Road when Luton managed to hold Liverpool to a 1-1 draw and it was truly a hall-of-fame worthy show from the home side. Not to forget, appalling on Liverpool's part.

I'm befuddled as to how Liverpool could look so bad against Luton and honestly speaking, I'm embarrassed, especially when Peter Crouch put the ball into the back of the net against the run of play.

I felt things balanced up much more when Riise put the ball into his own net but Luton really deserved to win the match, if not for some poor misses and some crucial intervention from Jamie Carragher.

Deja vu of the 2005 FA Cup tie where Liverpool miraculously turned the game upside down after going behind was never going to happen again as they were outplayed, outfought and outmuscled. Luton showed so much more hunger and tenacity in their football and the millionaires hailed from Merseyside looked disinterested and out of sort.

A replay at Anfield could mean that we have the advantage but Rafa and his men really need to sort it out and pull up the socks before things turn ugly. Though we somehow know that we're not going to win the league this year, this shouldn't stop us from hungering for more glory and not resting on laurels.

With the signing of Martin Skrtel imminent, there's still a shot at glory, albeit it's only the cup we're talking about. But no harm winning anyone of them, if the players make a decision to want it.