The Non-Existent Goalkeeper

Andrea Pirlo scored an innocuous free kick in the Euro 2008 qualifier against Georgia and it's one of the softest free kick I've seen conceded!

Football Videos

Torres Spares Liverpool Blushes

Last Minute Heart Break For Spurs

English Premiership

LIVERPOOL 2 - 2 Tottenham

Scorers:
LIV - Voronin (12min); Torres (90+1min);
TOT - Keane (45, 47min);

A last-gasp header from Fernando Torres rescued a barely deserved point for the Reds as they once again, stuttered to finish line and was on the verge of a unimaginable second successive defeat at Anfield.

It was supposed to be a fortress and that Liverpool have reigned supreme there ever since Rafa Benitez took over in 2004. It seemed as though they have lost the aura of invincibility and also lacked confidence.

The visiting Tottenham fans were in full voice throughout the game, urging the men in white and giving them a boost despite their disappointing midweek draw with Aston Villa, which resulted in a 4-4 goal fest.

Liverpool's form of late had been abysmal and the result of this game meant that they haven't won a single game since the 1st of September. A certainly worrying sign for Rafa and his men in red.

It all seem ominous when Liverpool took the lead as early as the 12th minute when Andiry Voronin pounced on Paul Robinson's save and he was able to direct it into the net.

The England number one had a torrid time dealing with Steven Gerrard's free kick and he spilled it right into the path of the Ukrainian striker. He was once again beaten later at another free kick but the left hand post saved him.



Liverpool seemed to put away the midweek troubles behind and did alright but just didn't put enough pressure on the Spurs defence as they should have. As leaky as they have, they stood strong against the duo of Voronin and Torres.

Just when Liverpool thought they could go into the half time break with a one goal cushion, Robbie Keane was on hand to pounce on the static Liverpool defence and punish them just before the half time break.

Dimitar Berbatov's headed ball landed right in his path and that took Finnan and Carragher by surprise. The Irish striker did what he does best and hooked the ball just past Reina and into the empty net.

It was about to get worst for the men in reds.

Right after half time, Liverpool were once again punished for losing concentration and in an almost identical situation, Robbie Keane lost his marker and was able to slammed the ball past the helpless Reina.

Liverpool were caught out and the one goal lead has now gone up the smokes. Perhaps Daniel Agger's injury has cost them some problems and Sami Hyypia isn't getting any younger. The big Finn was constantly beaten in the air by Berbatov. A rare sight considering how he is best at dealing with aerial threats.


Then it was a deja vu image for the Liverpool fans as they had to sit through the last 20 minutes thinking about how the season that promised so much had sort of gone pear shape in such a short period of time.

Liverpool then got hold of the stranglehold of the game and relentlessly pushing Spurs onto the backfoot. And the urban myth about how Spurs usually fail to hold on to lead came true once again, right on the full time mark.

Steve Finnan's deep cross found Fernando Torres, who leaped like a salmon over Younes Kaboul and Pascal Chimbonda, before scoring a thumping header right into Paul Robinson's near post. It was at the nick of time and the striker paid dividends of the manager's trust in him.

Drogballs:

Performance wise, it's an improvement from the diabolical display on Thursday but this is still not good enough. There seemed to be a problem with Liverpool when it comes to retaining possession and coming up with attacking moves.

Perhaps Rafa's tinkering is really not working at the moment and the players doesn't have the time to glue and gel into a unit. They seemed complete strangers on the pitch at times.

And where was the constant pressure from the team that we've seen in the past? We used to surround teams and batter them but now it seemed like we focussed too much on utilising the pace and movement of Torres and there are just too much aimless ball sprayed everywhere.

The aura of fear that Liverpool usually impose on teams seemed to be dissipating as well and it's not a good sign. It might be due to lack of confidence or other factor but we need to buck up and do something about this.

International break is here and it's time for Rafa to take a good look at things and make it right before the October 20th big clash with Everton. A lot is at stake for that game and much is expected from them.

Reds Stumble At Home

Sissoko 'Stars' In Shock Loss

UEFA Champions League

LIVERPOOL 0 - 1 Marseille

Scorer:
OM - Valbueno (77min);

Liverpool's hope of qualifying for the Champions League knock out phase was dealt with a major blow after a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of French Ligue 1 side, Olympique Marseille. Even the word 'poor' would be a major understatement as to how Liverpool performed last night.

It was abysmal. It was disgusting. It was insipid. It was a true horror show for the Liverpool fans, especially in front of the Anfield faithfuls.

After drawing their opening fixture against Porto, Liverpool surely had to do better at home and under Benitez, the Red's home record is second to none, especially in Europe.

But last night, it was a freak show and a one that Rafa Benitez would later describe as the 'worst performance' at home since he took over in 2004. Even I couldn't believe my eyes as to how Liverpool were totally outplayed and outclassed all over the pitch despite being the home side. If I didn't mention, you wouldn't even believe they were the home side!

Liverpool were slow and sluggish from the start and the ball retention was horrible, especially with the technically liable Momo Sissoko in the middle. I will go on about him later but first overall as a team, there was no communication and it was as though everyone just knew each other only on the night itself.

There was no passing and absolutely NO movement. The formation was sparse and was made worst when Marseille played the high line and putting extra pressure on the team. Daniel Agger's injury meant Sami Hyypia had to deputise and his lack of pace caused Liverpool to drop deeper and therefore, easier to be pressurised.

There was absolutely no width provided by Yossi Benayoun, who was brilliant for the previous 2 games, and the inexperience Sebastian Leto. They squeezed inwards too often and too quickly, giving Marseille a lot of space to exploit.

Peter Crouch was up front with Fernando Torres and the duo had to feed off scrapes for the entire game as the Liverpool midfield failed to provide them with the necessary ammunition and long balls from Hyypia and Reina didn't help either.

At times, we really looked like a pub team. Or sometimes, Wimbledon circa late 90s. It was long ball after long ball to Crouch and then lose possession.

Credit to Marseille though, they came with a brilliant game plan and stuck with it. They had a perfectly alright goal ruled out for offside while managed to contain Liverpool for the entire 90 minutes without sweat. Their high line and high pressuring tactic worked wonder at Anfield.

That's why when Valbueno bent that unstoppable shot into Anfield Road End goal, many weren't surprised. It was reaping what they sowed and they deserved it 100%.

Only when knowing that time is running out, Liverpool started to panic and started to do something about the game. Their best chance of the game fell to Fernando Torres who blasted it against the post.

It just wasn't Liverpool's night.

But it wasn't just lady luck not smiling at the men in red. Liverpool deserves absolutely nothing from this game and there is now a lot for Rafa to do because this performance is totally unacceptable and it is disgusting.

How could we only muster a single pathetic shot on goal for the entire 90 minutes at Anfield? It's just beggars belief while the selection of Momo Sissoko will really come under scrutiny from the Liverpool fans in days to come.

The Malian midfielder was quite a revelation in his first season but has since gone downhill and last night was probably one of his 'finest' night. He was basically all over the place but not doing much.

His first touch is so poor that his second usually results in a reckless challenge or totally loses possession. His passing was at his 'usual best' and didn't provide much to attack nor defence. He was nowhere here nor there so I'm not sure what he was doing for the entire 90 minutes on the pitch.

Seriously, sort this out. Even for captain, Steven Gerrard, there is no escape of criticism. He was poor as well as many of the usually reliable players. It was just a total nightmare and don't take this as a knee jerk reaction because I've never been so frustrated watching Liverpool before, until last night.

Spurs next and Rafa needs to do something to freshen things up and get the lads going again or it'll really turn ugly.

Martin Jol's 'I Will Survive'

You've probably heard of this evergreen song named 'I Will Survive'. But what is it like to sing it in the perspective of Martin Jol (Lol) whose job is hanging on a thread? Surely he didn't inspire much confidence to the boardroom after that near catastrophic (read: near) performance at White Hart Lane on their 125th anniversary.

Here it is, ripped from somewhere. The Jol's version of 'I Will Survive':

First I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never turn Spurs into a top 4 side
But I spent oh so many nights thinking how Staltari did me wrong
Am I a mong??,
but I'll just have to carry on
and we'll be back, into 5th place
I'll just wait till the transfer window to sign another waste of space
I should have sold Paul Robinson, I should have dropped him from the team
If I had known for just one second he'd concede more goals than DerbyCoun-ty

Go on now go, Bent there's the door
just turn around now, 'cause you don't score goals anymore
weren't you the one we paid so much for, you were dearer than Hen-ry
I knew you'd crumble, I'd rather have Emile Hes-key,,,,
Oh no cause I, I will survive As long as I win the next 6 games I know I will stay alive,
I've got Tainio who is shat, & Huddlestone who's just fat,
but I'll survive
I will survive..

The Official Team Photo

Since most people says that it's down, then I'll upload it for you. Caring is sharing :)

Torres Treble Defeats Reading

Liverpool Advances Into Next Round

Carling Cup 3rd Round

Reading 2 - 4 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
REA - Convey 28, Halls 64;
LIV - Benayoun 23, Torres 50, 72, 86;

A stunning hat trick from Fernando Torres ensured Liverpool's safe passage to the next round of Carling Cup and ended the Red's 3 games winless streak.

Although Reading did make life much more difficult with 2 equalisers, it was the class of Torres which proved to be the ultimate difference between the two sides. Yossi Benayoun, too, was on the score sheet with a breathtaking opener.

Rafa Benitez once again ringed changes to the side with Alvaro Arbeloa drafted into an unfamiliar centre defender position with Fabio Aurelio returned to his favoured left back slot after recovering from injury.

Lucas Leiva partnered Momo Sissoko in the middle of the park while Peter Crouch and Fernando Torres started their first competitive game together upfront. It was a strong side on paper and there was also a tinge of youthfulness on the bench with reserve captain, Jack Hobbs, and starlet, Ray Putteril, on the sidelines.

With 3 disappointing outings to Portsmouth, Porto and Birmingham, Liverpool looked to bounce back and kick start their campaign once again after a promising start. But it wasn't easy at all, with Reading proving to be a tough opposition with much resilience and doggedness.

They started the game off brightly and controlled the tempo of the game while Liverpool seemed to be on the back foot most of the time.

The home side were most definitely the better side of the opening periods of the game and really should have taken the lead when Leroy Lita was completely left unmarked in the six yard box and his free head was straight at stand in goalkeeper, Charles Itandje.

It would've surely changed the face of the game had it gone in because Liverpool struck back just a minute later.

Yossi Benayoun weaved past two challenges before planting a powerful shot right into the top corner, leaving Adam Federici with absolutely no chance. It was the Israeli's first ever goal for Liverpool and it just showed how much class he has.

But Liverpool's decision to put up with the makeshift defence was paid duly as Reading hit back with a wonderful equaliser through Bobby Convey. Nick Shorey's corner was cleared half heartedly by the Liverpool defence and the American international struck a first time volley and it whistled into the bottom corner of the net.

In the second period of the game, Reading seemed to have lost a bit of steam and Liverpool soon capitalise with Torres' first of the three. Sebastian Leto slipped a brilliant ball for Torres, who beat the offside trap and slotted the ball into the bottom corner with ease.

The goal justified why the Reds were willing to pay a whooping £24million for him in the summer and more were to come.

But once again Liverpool lost concentration at the back and Reading scored through another corner. Perhaps Charles Itandje's inclusion in the squad made the defence a little less assured, which was shown in the second Reading goal.

It was a scramble and Liverpool weren't able to clear their lines while Itandje's indecisiveness and inexperience probably cost the team. John Halls was able to poke the ball into the net despite 3 Liverpool defenders closing him down.

But it was the class of Torres which prevailed and enabled Liverpool to coast to victory at the Madejski stadium.

John Arne Riise's introduction was rewarded as the Norwegian fullback skinned de La Cruz before placing the ball for Torres to awkwardly but skillfully, slice home. It was at all an easy effort yet the Spanish striker made it looked so easy.


Then he put the final nail on Reading's coffin as he was unfazed by the one on one with Reading goalkeeper, Federici. Substituted late on, Gerrard provided the killer ball as Torres then beats the offside trap and found himself only the goalkeeper to beat. He rounded him duly and scored his first ever hat trick for the club.

The goals epitomises a true goalscorer despite the fact that it was only a cup tie. From what we've seen, he is definitely the player we have been missing for a long, long time. It is his predatory instincts and hunger that sets him apart.

A good outing for the Reds and a better one for Torres. Let's hope he continues his good goalscoring form and 6 goals in 6 starts is really quite a feat.

Adios, Jose

Chelsea have sensationally sacked the ever-pleasant Portgeezer, Jose Mourinho. In my bid to say good bye to the 'Special One' who has constantly gave us entertainment and laughs over the past 4 years, I would post a video that sum up everything about him...

Okay probably not but it's still funny ;)




Last of all...



Andriy says: Hey Jose, exit is THAT direction.

Eamonn Dunphy on RTE: "Look back at the Liverpool of old, the team that Graeme played for...Graeme's won four Champions League titles."

Graeme Souness: "Actually, three Eamonn."

Eamonn: "He's won four English league titles then!"

Graeme: "Five Eamonn."

Eamonn: "Whatever! It's not bloody Mastermind!!"


Ha!

Reds Held In Opener

Rafa's Men Lucky To Get Away With A Draw

UEFA Champions League

Porto 1 - 1 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
POR - Luiz Gonzalez (pen 8);
LIV - Kuyt (17min);

Liverpool were given a scare in their Champions League opener in Portugal as they only managed a draw. But under the circumstances Rafa's men were in, it was a good result for the Reds.

Yet it is lamentable how poor Liverpool were last night, at the Estadio Dragao, as they were never in the game from first to last. There was a lack of communication and team work on the pitch. The stray passes and the 2 shots on goal the entire night just tells you the story of 11 strangers on the pitch.

There was no fluency in the team throughout and Liverpool rarely threatened Porto's goal in open play. They were slow and sluggish from the start and it was to no surprise when Porto took an early lead in the 8th minute.

Seemingly, Liverpool concedes penalty at an alarming rate this season, with 4 penalties conceded in 5 games, which is very odd. But last night, the penalty was justifiable and that Pepe Reina clearly tripped Tarik Sektioui in the penalty area as Hyypia was slow on the turn to close down the striker.

Hailed as one of the best goalkeepers in the world prior to the game, Reina was given no chance for the penalty despite his mastery in saving spot kicks.

The spot kick was the fruit of Porto's relentless pressure on Liverpool right from the start of the game and the Liverpool defence were unable to cope with the strength of Lisandro Lopez and the pace of both Bosingwa and Quaresma.

Liverpool were truly awful throughout the entire game and never seemed to be able to put their foot on the pedal. Yet through a well practiced free kick, they got their undeserved reward through Dirk Kuyt.

Steve Finnan's deep free kick found Sami Hyypia, who headed the ball into the six yard box. It confused the Porto defence, who were unable to clear the ball and Dirk Kuyt was on hand to head home.

It was Liverpool's first wave of attack and they reaped the ultimate reward. But that was all from Liverpool, really.

Despite the half time team talk, Liverpool returned to the pitch still looking rather shell-shocked and didn't seemed to be able to get themselves in the mood. The strike force of Torres and Kuyt were pretty isolated up front on themselves, chasing for scrapes while the midfield was in disarray.

Gerrard wasn't in his inspirational best and was a peripheral figure in the middle throughout while Mascherano's passing was horrible at times. It was just so uncharacteristic from the duo that could've formed on the best midfield partnership in modern time.


Just when you thought playing Porto with 11 men is tough, try it with 10, says Jermaine Pennant. He foolishly slid in with a rash tackle that was totally unnecessary despite already carrying a yellow card.

With his patience tested, Lubos Michel gave him the marching order. It was to the horror of Pennant and the Liverpool bench as Rafa was clearly livid with the decision.

It was then Liverpool totally lost the stranglehold of the game and had to play along with Porto. Dirk Kuyt was slotted in the right midfield position, leaving Torres totally on his own upfront.

But Porto too, didn't strike when the iron is hot. They lost the rhythm and didn't threaten Reina's goal like they did in the first period. Home fans were obviously disappointed with the lack of ambition from them.

In the end it was a precious point gained by Liverpool as they were lucky to escape with it. The Estadio Dragao is a notorious ground where giants such as Inter Milan and ManYoo fell but yet Liverpool were able to get something out of it despite an uncharacteristic performance.

Such a disappointing and forgettable performance from the Reds to be honest. If they really want to win the competition, things must improve from the next game on. Marseilles at Anfield should be where the ball starts rolling.

Reds Held To Goalless Draw

English Premiership

Portsmouth 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL

It's pointless for me to go on blabbering about the match when I didn't even catch it last night. I'm sorry lads, I was in church so I gave it a miss.

Anyway, I'm feeling the same as majority of the Liverpool fans, which is disappointment. We've been knocked off the top of the Premier League table only a week after reaching the peak for the first time in 5 years and yet we struggled to keep pace and stumbled.

But it could've been worst.

Portsmouth could've won the game through penalty but Spanish custodian, Pepe Reina, was once again the penalty hero.

Prior to the game, Rafa was on a full fledged attack on the FA Premier League, alleging them for being biased against Liverpool in terms of fixture scheduling. It's true in a way that it's difficult to prepare a match only a day after the international games.

But if ManYoo and Arsenal could make do with it, I don't think a few hours will make much of a difference anyway. They beat Everton and Spurs, away from home, respectively.

It could probably mean that Liverpool STILL has a lot to do even though this team seemed to be the best we've assembled in years. We all harbour hopes that we'll win it this season but also it's realistic to start thinking that this team might need some time to gel and get going.

Perhaps with a little luck, we could do it. But right now, it's Champions League next and Porto, away from home, won't be easy.