'El Nino' Hits Anfield

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.



Now it's time to unleash the El Nino.

*LATEST - Torres Passes Anfield Medical

Liverpool Football Club has announced Spanish striker Fernando Torres has passed a medical ahead of his proposed move from Atletico Madrid.

The 23-year-old is now expected to put pen to paper on Wednesday before being unveiled to the media.

A club spokesman said: "The player has passed a medical. All the agreements are now in place and he will put pen to paper on the deal on Wednesday."

Torres scored 82 goals in 214 appearances for Atletico, while for Spain he's bagged 14 in 40.

While Torres Is Doing His Medical....

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."


Expect to hear something really soon. Cheers

And We Bid Farewell To Garcia

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.



He's Luis Garcia, he drinks Sangria!

6: Robbie Fowler vs Reading

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.

Hail 'God'.

Frank Lampard On Holiday

Well, my mate saw him. This is just one of the few sneaky photos taken from his back...




















Put on another few stones, didn't he? :P

7: Peter Crouch (3rd) vs Arsenal

I was so devastated because back then, I didn't catch this game and I probably missed one of the most spectacular match we're involved in for some time, in the Premiership of course.

Peter Crouch grabbed the 'perfect hat trick' with his right foot, a header and then this one that sealed the fate of Arsenal.

Mesmerised by the way he controlled the ball and with Gallas & Toure hovering near you, it takes much more than skill to beat the two. He was confident, he was comfortable. Here I see a football journeyman whom finally made the mark and is going a level higher.

If Rafa starts him more often, I can't wait to see what damage he can do to some top teams out there.

Here Comes Torres...?

Athletico Skipper To Move To Anfield For Record Breaking £27m

Smokescreens and speculation fire fanned into flame, Fernando Torres' deal with Liverpool seemed imminent. After months and months of intense speculations and thought-to-be-made-out rumours, the deal now seemed to be struck.

Once the player returns from his holiday at Polynesia, he'll be available to sign on the dotted line and will become Liverpool's most expensive signing in their history.

Previously, £14m was the transfer record, which brought Djibril Cisse from Auxerre to Liverpool. Although throughout his stint at the Anfield club, he didn't manage to justify the high price Gerard Houllier paid for him.

This time round, another big gamble on a Spanish striker. Will it turn out to be Fernando Morientes MKII? Will he be yet another flop? To tell you the truth, all transfers ARE gambles and whether it pays off or not is not really up to us to determine.

Working with Rafa to get the best out of himself is one mentality he must have. He must be teachable and willing to learn. Seeing that he captains the Athletico Madrid side at the tender age of 22 shows perhaps, maturity beyond his age.

Then, he must cope with the physical side of the English game, unseen in his homeland. Adaptability is another we can't do anything about other than just making him feel at home here. There'll be times when he'll face goalscoring drought especially early on when he's settling in and I hope to God that you fans won't make a din out of it and stay behind him IF possible.

Pressure will be on him, for he is going to be the record signing for a club with great history and reputation. But I'm certain he'll excel here at Anfield and has many years ahead of him to offer for the club.

Another key of note, Liverpool will not pay the full price of £27m for him to trigger the release clause but in exchange of Luis Garcia in that direction for a fee around £4m. So it'll be a money + player exchange deal.

Luis Garcia has been a fine servant for the club for the past 3 seasons and we all have seen what he could offer to the club. Goals against Chelsea and Juventus brought back good memories of the days we went from zero to Champions League winner, all the way back in 2005.

But as he's now nearing his 30s and stated his desire to one day, play in his homeland once again, maybe it's the perfect opportunity to send him back to where he always wanted to play, Althetico Madrid.

Also, injuries are getting to him as he missed a large portion of last season. Rafa loves him as a player, we all know, but maybe the manager feels it's time to let him go and bring in fresh blood.

The signing of Torres could be announce next week and it could mean more players are to follow, most importantly, Luis Garcia's replacement. It could very well be Yossi Benayoun of West Ham.


Source 1: The Independent Online: Liverpool will pay record-breaking £27m for Torres

Source 2: Guardian Unlimited Online: £27m Torres heading for Anfield as Benítez makes striking move

Is This REALLY The New Anfield?

Leaked on various forums, not sure if it's legal to upload it but better have a look before I get sued, anyway.

Excerpts from people who actually saw the stadium design, it actually fits the bill.

From This Is Anfield:

All four sides are said to be unique and different from another, one description used states “Whether intentional or not it seems to reflect the way British grounds have been built in the past, i.e. where stadiums would grow and modernise by developing one side at a time, reflecting the era they were built and creating a rather adhoc arrangement of styles. If this was the source of inspiration I think it has been very bold and clever.”

Gillett and Hicks have already stated The Kop will be the focal point and hold 20,000 supporters. This is described as being a vast single tier stand which overlooks the rest of the stadium, particularly the opposite end which is said to be similar to the smaller end at Porto’s Drago Stadium.

Fans will be pleased to hear The Kop is somewhat similar to Dortmund’s Sudtribune, but rounding at the sides.

What do you think of the new design, compared to the old one? Is it a little to over-sophisticated? Is it too bold and brazen? Is the checkered colours on the Kop making you feel sick?

Hang On, Rafa....

Hang on, hang on! I thought Jerzy Dudek put on a sh*t load of weight over the summer and balding occured. But why on earth is he shaking Momo's hand?

Oh, it's Rafa Benitez with the new look goatee. Brilliant, looking more like a typical scouser (no offence, really).

In other news, Momo Sissoko just signed a 4 year contract with Liverpool. This means there is serious competition in the central midfield area with Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano & Lucas providing the challenge for the Malian international.