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.

Giving Credits To Iker

Well, first of all, happy 2008 guys. It's the first post of a brand new year and I'll kick it off with a really funny one.

Iker Casillas, Real Madrid's goalkeeper, is recently instilled into a 'hall of fame' called Madame Tussaud's wax museum. But apparently, the wax figure doesn't resemble a bit like the Spanish shot stopper.



Watch his reaction, looking down that wax that was supposed to look like him. He must be thinking to himself "What the ****?!".

Blessed 2008!

Brave City Held On

English Premiership

Man City 0 - 0 LIVERPOOL

The last league game of 2007 ended up with a stalemate as a resilient Manchester City side frustrated Liverpool and earned an undeserved point. Only seperated by a point, a win for any of this side will propel themselves well into the top 4 position, going into 2008.

Liverpool had the chances to do so, yet the profligacy in big games still apparent.

Though credits must also go out to the Man City defence as they put up with a wonderful back-against-the-wall effort and manage to mitigate wave after wave of attack and stopped the man of the moment, Fernando Torres, from scoring.

The Spanish had two or three clear chances but failed to capitalise on them. He must've regretted not slotting in that chance just after half time and it could altogether be a different story if he did.

Knowing that he could be the first Liverpool player since Michael Owen in 2001 to score 10 league goals before the year ends, he gets full marks for his effort but disappointingly, no end result. If the stain of mud on the shirt represents the endeavor of the player, one could say he puts in the most for this game.

Up against a physically solid defenders in Richard Dunne, Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards, he knew he was going to have a hard time, so did Dirk Kuyt.

And the trio deserves praise for their last ditch tackles and goal line clearances. City could've crumbled big time in the last 10 minutes after Liverpool finally decides to shift into their fifth gear. But they stood their ground gave a no-nonsense performance.

The game was finely poised as both teams knew how important it is to gain victory at the City of Manchester stadium but probably this mentality made both teams a little jittery in the beginning.

With Sami Hyypia out injured and Daniel Agger still recovering from his metatarsal injury, Rafa Benitez employed Alvaro Arbeloa in centre defence, alongside Jamie Carragher.

The full-back's inexperience in that position was exploited by Martin Petrov and Elano but as the game went on, he steadied himself and was rarely troubled from then on.

Both sides had good chances but was premium. Other than a few stray shots from Gerrard and Aurelio, the Liverpool front line were anonymous, so was City's. As the game developed, Vassell and Elano were starved off any support and were left isolated.

Might be due to the words of the manager at half time, Liverpool came out with more intent and stepped up the tempo of the game. They nearly took the lead early in the second half as two chances were created in a short amount of time but Torres was unable to finish.

City desperate and Liverpool frustrated. The home team looked less comfortable as time went on. The Reds took hold of initiative and launched themselves at City.

Best chances of the game fell to Dirk Kuyt but the wasteful 'striker' was not able to capitalise. On his part, it was a weak header on goal but City goalkeeper, Joe Hart, made a wonderful reflex save before Richard Dunne heroically cleared the ball of the line.

So City goes into 2008 a point behind Liverpool in 5th place and the Reds should feel the pinch of not putting the game to bed and build up a comfortable cushion between themselves and the other teams outside the top 4.

Major Update

Sorry lads. I've sort of neglected this blog of mine and my apologies for not being uber involved here. Well, I've been out of town for the past 4-5 days for my church camp so I didn't have the time to watch the matches, let aside penning down thoughts here.

But anyway, two disappointing results back to back. Chelsea and United, two huge rivals of ours and it still seemed like we've a long way to go to be on par with their standards. I did catch the match on Sunday against our north-west rivals and it seemed like every single time we play them, we got suppressed and failed to perform at the highest level.

Chances were wasted before a clinical United team grab a goal and then sat back and invited pressure. As one of the major weaknesses of Liverpool is to break down defence who sit deep, they struggled and didn't seemed to cause much problem for ManYoo thereafter.

Then we crashed out of the League Cup after a defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a place we never seem to get any results from. I didn't catch the match so I won't write down any comments on that.


UCL Last 16 Draw

Olympiacos (GRE) vs Chelsea (ENG)

LIVERPOOL (ENG) vs Inter Milan (ITA)

Schalke 04 (GER) vs FC Porto (POR)

Roma (ITA) vs Real Madrid (ESP)

Arsenal (ENG) vs AC Milan (ITA)

Celtic (SCO) vs Barcelona (ESP)

O. Lyon (FRA) vs Man Utd (ENG)

Fenerbahce (TUR) vs Sevilla (ESP)

Honestly, a tough draw for the Reds. Inter Milan is probably the best team in Europe currently in terms of form and they have been imperious throughout this season's campaign. The Reds started off pretty well in early part of their domestic campaign but suffered a patchy period which coincided with their terrible results in the Champions League.

Inter is no doubt one of the teams to avoid yet we know what Liverpool could do to the so called 'favourites' in almost all their European pilgrims, including Barcelona last season and Juventus on the way to the 2005 Champions League final.

When it comes to Liverpool and their European ambition, no matter how much better you are in terms of personnel or form, they'll always manage to put up a fight that at times, caught the 'bigger' opponents by surprise.

As we know, Liverpool are the expert in one-off games and the first game will only take place in February. From now till then, many things could happen as we know. There might be a slump in form or a surge. New players might come in during the January transfer window and change the fortune of the team.

It's not an insurmountable task for Liverpool yet it does seemed like it takes more than a 'wonderful Anfield night' to conquer the champions of Italy. It's up to Rafa and his boys to show us what they're capable of.

Great Escape Completed

Reds Blitz OM To Squeeze Through Into Knockout Round

UEFA Champions League

O. Marseille 0 - 4 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
LIV - Gerrard (4), Torres (11), Kuyt (48), Babel (90);

Goals:

"When you walk through the storm, hold your head up high".

And indeed, as the Liverpool anthem rung within the Stade Velodrome, the scouse never-say-die attitude was epitomised in an inspiring way as Liverpool cruise to a comfrotable 4-0 win.

The first three games in the group stages were potential banana skin and despite being favourites to go clear off the group, Liverpool slipped and only till last night did they book a place in the last 16.

Pressure was mounting on the players as well as on manager, Rafa Benitez, prior to the game as the very result of this game will surely affect the mood of the impending meeting with club director, Tom Hicks. Only fresh from their first defeat of their campaign at Reading, Liverpool knew much was at stake.

The hostile crowd in Marseille was all but ready to welcome Liverpool and extinguish that little glimmer of hope that is still with the visitors. But the Reds treated this game as if they were ready for a cup final, just as Rafa said in his pre-game interview.

Even Harry Kewell turned up!

Nevertheless, the tension and breathlessness were eased as early as the 4th minute, and the rest as said, were history. Liverpool dominated Marseille from start to end and gave them absolutely nothing to scrap for.

The Marseille defence were battered and bruised by the powerful run of Steven Gerrard and turned inside out by the wonderful Fernando Torres. This is the sort of performance that underlines the mental strength and quality of this team that Rafa had built over his 3 year reign.

Liverpool could've bottled it big time, cower under fear and probably lose it under intense pressure. But they were cool and composed, though nerves were only rested when Gerrard tucked in the rebound after missing the penalty.

The early goal gave Liverpool a much needed boost of confidence, a spring in their step. Looking a little intimidated right from the first whistle, conceding possession 3 seconds into the match, they then went on a romp and secure a place in where they really belong.

It was a typical 'European' performance from the Reds all in all. Professional, clincal and no-nonsense. It was like an exorcism for that spectre of the improbable lost to the same in at Anfield, same as they did to Besiktas. It was a test of mental strength and character.

Liverpool surely did pass it with flying colours.

The signing of Torres was a signal of intent that the Reds are ready to mount a serious challenge in whichever competition they're in and he, once again, showed why he's worth ever penny that Tom Hicks and George Gillett had invested in.

His pace, his guile, his body balance and that sudden burst of speed. He looked class above all the strikers that we had for years. Coming nearest would probably be Saint Michael Owen. Though still too early to compare him to Kenny Dalglish, 12 goals in 19 games speaks volume.

He was graceful yet powerful at the same time. To be honest, most of us would've run out of speculative for the Spanish striker if he keeps his red hot form for the rest of the season.

The industrious Dirk Kuyt then added a third with a deserved goal before super-sub, Ryan Babel, puts the icing on the cake. It was a goal of high calibre and one that should have had the public gushing over if only it was the winning goal rather than just one of the four.

Mascherano was prominent in every part of the field whenever a Blue and Orange was on the ball. Harry Kewell looked lively and we certainly missed some of his creativity and ball control down the left flank. Yossi Benayoun pulls defender all over the place while diligently helping out Alvaro Arbeloa in defence.

Ryan Babel too, had a field day and his pace and power was too much for the tired legs of Marseille.

Much strength of character was needed for this game and it was evident that this Liverpool team really isn't any sort of pushovers. We all love the underdogs and this time round, the Reds have yet again did a turnaround when things doesn't go their way.

How did they ended up in such a dire strait at first is a mystery but now we know what to expect from this lot. Man Utd up next and they know they need to deliver once again.

'Royally Defeated'

Referee Inconsistency Mars An Otherwise Well-Deserved Victory For Reading

English Premiership

Reading 3 - 1 LIVERPOOL

Scorers:
REA - Hunt (pen 17), Doyle (60), Harper (67);
LIV - Gerrard (28);

All good things come to an end, as they say. A crucial week was coming right up for Rafa Benitez and his men as they set out to ensure Liverpool's qualification in the Champions League as well as the Premiership race, with rivals, Man Utd, paying a visit.

But how bad of a start to this crucial week with an appalling 3-1 defeat to a spirited Reading side, which hasn't done as well as they did last season when they appeared as the dark horses.

Truly, their never-say-die attitude, organisation, hardwork, grittiness and the little slices of luck here and there was enough to overcome the giants of the North-west. Liverpool and Arsenal are the only two remaining teams in the entire English football league that have yet to lose a game and now it seemed like Arsenal will hold the honour of being unbeaten, probably throughout 2007 part of the season.

Prior to the game, Liverpool was in their imperious form and the 15 games unbeaten streak is never seen before, record breaking for even the prestigious club. Goals were flying in around from everywhere on the pitch and some statisticians might even lose count on the number of goals scored in the past 4 weeks or so.

Yet how Liverpool looked so impotent yesterday, it was pure baffling. Many questions will be asked as usual as to why Rafa started with the strike trio of Torres, Crouch and Voronin and yet looked so toothless upfront. Or how he had a 'captain-go-round' when they are 3-1 down. The captain's armband changed hands thrice in a single match.

Seemed like a pre-season friendly attitude to me.

With Carragher a card away from being suspended for the United game, speculation had been rife all week about him possibly being replaced by Jack Hobbs in the middle of the defence, partnering Sami Hyypia. Yet he found himself starting the game, partly partnering and partly guiding the young Hobbs.

Starting Jack Hobbs is always going to be a pricey risk to play for Benitez yet itwas Carragher himself who gave Reading the much-needed headstart with a rash challenge on Bryjnar Gunnarsson.

Replays shows that the contact was outside the box but the man on the spotlight, Andy Marriner pointed to the spot after consulting his linesman. One of the many controversial decisions he had to make in the game and in favour of Reading.

Stephen Hunt kept his cool and gave Reading the lead and it definitely opened the game up.

Liverpool's direct approach to the game caused the home side much problem especially with Fernando Torres in red hot form and Steven Gerrard scoring for fun. With Crouch and Voronin to aim at, the visitors were contented to lump it forward and pray that it drops for one of them.

In a fortunate manner, or more like a defensive error from Graeme Murty means that Torres was able to steal in from behind and put the ball under his control. The Spanish striker found Gerrard on his rampaging run and the skipper made no mistake from 8 yards out.

In typical Gerrard fashion, he drove right through the heart of Reading defence.

But Liverpool huffed and puffed, struggled to find the breakthrough. Andiry Voronin drifted in and out of the game and Peter Crouch was anonymous upfront. Momo Sissoko finally appeared for his league start and yet again, didn't impress his critics with careless passing and a little clumsiness at times.

Liverpool then had a stonewall penalty turned down after Torres was obviously tripped by Ibrahima Sonko in the box but Marriner is never going to give away penalty that easily anymore.

The tide turned against Liverpool in an instance and the away side found themselves behind once again. Reckless Gerrard brought down the industrious Stephen Hunt and Reading scored from the resulting in-swinging freekick. Kevin Dolye had the slightest of touch and it zoomed past Pepe Reina.

Then the Madejski stadium was in pandemonium after James Harper nailed the final nail in Liverpool's coffin with a fine counter attack move. He got behind the half asleep defence before rounding Reina, giving Reading an unlikely yet well-deserved win.

It's a fairy tale result for Reading yet utter nightmare for Rafa and his men. Decisions were going against the away side far too often and it really got in the skin of the players and staff alike.

Yet Liverpool's defeat cannot be faulted totally on poor refereeing but some bizarre decisions from Benitez and also, an overall listless display from the Reds, as if already jittery about the visit to Marseille and Man Utd.

With the American owners ready to talk to Rafa about his future plans, this is just not the right result to hand over to them. It is a truly shambolic result in truth and how we all didn't expect this good league start to end in such a terrible way.

Liverpool will need to pick themselves up for the next few games because with their heads down, they won't achieve much.