"I Nearly Swerve Off The Road"

It's always bad to laugh at an unfortunate event. But Cashley Cole's injury taught us that karma is always ready to strike and when it strikes, it's gonna be a good long 6-8 months.



















hahahaha!

Reds vs Bluesh*tes Preview

This week has been a roller-coaster ride. We went 2 points off Chelsea on Wednesday after beating West Ham 2-1 and January have been a busy month with Liverpool signing a whole bunch of youngsters.

But DIC's decision to withdraw their bid for Liverpool have caused confusions and even resentment to the club's board. Javier Mascherano's transfer hve been set to drag on for yet another week because the FA Premier League decides to 'study' the case closer.

We have put so much focus on the off field things like George Gillett that we might have forgotten, we're playing the 'People's club' and our most bitterest rival. Whatever happens in the board room and business side of Liverpool, that is for the big wigs of the board to settle. Now, we cannot afford to lose our focus and concentration on this game.

The 205th Merseyside derby will prove to be an exciting one indeed. Already a derby famous for it's passion and the red cards, it'll further fueled on by the fact that Liverpool lost at Goodison Park earlier this season with a painful 3-0 defeat. For any Liverpool fans, it was utter embarrassment and we all hope for a better show today at Anfield.

Liverpool have won 9 out of their last 10 games and another interesting fact to be presented to you would be, Liverpool have only conceded 3 goals at Anfield in this season's Premiership. Rafa Benitez have successfully turned Anfield into a modern day fortress and teams rarely leaves with any points.

Brazilian lef-back, Fabio Aurelio have been ruled out of this game while Momo Sissoko will be unavailable even though he's on the road of recovery. Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell are the long term injury casualty and will play no part in this game.

It'll be interesting to see who Rafa will slot in that left back slot. It might be Dan Agger or even new signing, Alvaro Arbeloa. The versatile defender from Deportivo might not be suitable for this occasion due to the fact that it's a Merseyside derby and he might not be able to cope with the pace of the game as well as the challenges that is expected from the bluesh*tes.

Or will Rafa try out his 3-4-3 yet again with Crouch, Kuyt and Bellamy all starting? To me, it's a risk and a bigger one if Andy Johnson is passed fit. He's a striker than runs into channels and with 3 defenders, it'll be difficult to track him down and he will cause a lot of problems.

But he will have to pass a late fitness test before he can be unleashed.

Come on you Reds. Avenge the 3-0 defeat with a good performance and show them who's boss at Merseyside! And perhaps give our new owner something to cheer about.


Drogballs' Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Everton. And I tell you what, I hope for better score than that!

Reds Sign Huth.....

I think many Reds fan might have a shock of their lives when they read that line of words appearing on the official site. That Boro defender that used to be at Chelsea and used as a striker when Chelsea are losing?

Breathe easy. Again, Rafa extends his hands out to the South American, purchasing some players that we've never heard of but might have a chance of making into the team. Considering the unlimited amount of football talents over there, it's no surprise why we're setting out sights there instead of England, which to me, is like a miniature pond.

Prices have been ridiculously steep for players nowadays, especially those from England. A footballer with some talents will cost around 2million GBP. If you're hyped up by one of the major tabloid newspaper, your price will jump around 3 folds to 6 million. If you're English, it'll add around 4 million and now it's suddenly 10million.

And when Chelsea steps into the bidding war, game over.

Anyway:

Liverpool have announced the signing of Paraguayan defender Ronald Huth.

The 17-year-old has penned a two and a half year deal after agreeing to leave Tacuary FC in his homeland for a new career on Merseyside.

Despite being born in Paraguay, Huth holds an Italian passport.

He completed his move to Anfield ahead of Wednesday night's transfer deadline.

Good luck, hope you make it.

Alvaro Arbeloa Gets 2

New signing Alvaro Arbeloa has been allocated the number two shirt at Anfield.


Arbeloa, who will officially be unveiled as a Liverpool player later today, completed the formalities of his move from Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday evening.


Is it me, or does he looked the more hairy and tougher version of Luis Garcia? Heh!

Note: Thanks to GettyImages for the pictures. (Will replace it if there is one without the watermark at the Official site.)

You Must Wait To Get The Best

That line above sums up everything about Liverpool, isn't it? Once again, we're made to wait for not one, but two decisions, right at the eleventh hour. Both Javier Mascherano and Dubai Int. Corporation (DIC) are the losers of this round as one was made to wait along with Liverpool while the other one threw tantrum and left when they faced challenge from US billionaire, George Gillett.

Wait For Javier

Liverpool's protracted bid to sign West Ham midfielder Javier Mascherano has been drawn out further by the Premier League's decision to look more closely at the details of the transfer.

The Argentina midfielder was given special dispensation by world governing body FIFA to complete the transfer despite already played for two clubs competitively this season - the Hammers and Brazilian club Corinthians.

Liverpool submitted the player's registration documents to the Premier League ahead of the midnight transfer deadline but they cannot, as yet, call the player their own.

"The Premier League can confirm that, in accordance with its rules, Javier Mascherano's registration documents were received from Liverpool FC prior to the transfer window closing," said a statement from the Premier League.

"While Liverpool have met the required deadline the Premier League Board, consistent with its powers in this matter, has decided to take time to satisfy itself with the proposed arrangements before the registration can be effected and the player permitted to play for Liverpool FC.

"The board will consider the terms of the registration as quickly as possible and notify the parties involved of its decision accordingly.

Something which I cannot agree with and baffled. Right, so after a month of 'discussion', FIFA decides to let us go ahead with the signing of Mascherano from West Ham on loan. It's controversial as it's an exploit of the loophole in the 'rules' of the game as a player is not supposed to play for more than 2 clubs in a year. We had a point to argue and we made ourselves clear. Fair enough.

So it took FIFA around 30 days before they gave us an answer and by then, we had to submit the case to FAPL and now again, another 'investigation'. If the world football governing body has already dispensate the case, why do they need another round? Trying to show who's big daddy here?

Miles and miles of red tapes. Time wasted. A player's career I'm talking about here. Javier haven't played since December 8 and why? I don't know. Perhaps the shady company that owned him has the answer.

What to do? Wait, la.


Wait For Takeover

Boy A likes Girl A and his love reciprocated. But in comes Girl B and Boy A seemed impress by her. Seen talking to the new Girl B, Girl A got jealous and let with a note saying "Hope you have great fun with your new girl." and then a "hmmpf!" at the end of it.

Sounds familiar? Read the DIC statement on their decision to pull out of the deal.

"As businessmen, we move on. As fans, we hope that the new owners would share the same vision as we had for LFC."

It's really how you interpret their statement. Some thinks they're nice enough to say good luck. But then again, read between the lines, you could sense a little anger and annoyance. I could understand. To me, their CEO, Samir Al-Ansari seemed like a nice person with a passion for the Reds. Sadly, due to unforeseen circumstances, the board decided to reject the bid from them and out they went.

I'm disappointed, as you can see from my previous post. But then again I have to make myself clear that the post yesterday was more of a knee-jerk reaction (we all do, don't we?). Sometimes we just jump to conclusion to quickly and never really take a look at the bigger picture.

I cannot say I've seen the bigger picture, actually not much have been made available for fans, but I still believe Parry and Moores KNOWS what they're doing. And what can we do as fans? Trust in our board I guess. Nothing much we could do. Only the insiders know what's going on and the people on the outside like us, could only speculate all day lay blames and pointing fingers.

CEO RickParry has appealed to the fans to trust the board and I still think they know what they're doing. Not much have been known about this new American billionaire since he seemed to be in and out of the picture all the time and his didn't gain as much publicity as the DIC.

Even the FA Premier League Chief, Brian Barwick came forward and said about how clubs now have befallen into the hands of foreigners and has reinstated that clubs are not a passive thing but something that many have their lives attached to. He spoke as a passionate Liverpool fan and said "don't mess with the club I love".

And again, all we can do is, WAIT. Hopefully, not for long.

Disgraceful And Shameful

I think those who are interested in Asian football would have had their eyes fixed on last night's ASEAN Football Championship Finals 1st leg that was held over here in Singapore.

Although Singapore now took the lead with a 2-1 score but it has been marred with a major controversy.

Are players supposed to walk off the pitch in protest if they cannot agree with the referee's decision?

We have been here again and again, banging on this topic over and over again for the past how many years about how football should have implemented technologies to aid the referees due to the number of wrong calls made in matches. Some of them are small, but like last night, it was a major turning point of the match and it could very well be the winning goal (wishful thinking, of course).

But then again, the implementation of technology is so painfully slow. So now, let's move on with things and accept that the referee is the judge of the game and will always have the final say.

Anyway, the incident happened was Singapore striker, Noh Alam Shah, was adjudged to have been brought down by a Thai defender. Referee pointed to the spot and the Thai players were livid. Replays shows minimal contact between the duo but it is not conclusive enough.

What happened next is disgraceful. Something that is not supposed to be on a football pitch.

The Thai players walked off the pitch in protest and it took them a good 15 minutes before they walked back and face the music.

Where's the sportsmanship? Where's the spirit of a footballer, no, someone who plays sports.

In the Premiership, we have referees like Uriah Rennie and Graham Poll. They have time and again proved to be pretty incompetent referees with strange calls and wrong decisions. But other than players showing dissent, have you seen the whole team of players walking off the pitch throwing tantrums?

If that happens, wow, they'll get fined by every 'fa' ie. FIFA, UEFA and just to name a few.

What happened last night was uncalled for and an utter shame. It should never happen on a football pitch especially in a final in front of 50,000 fans. It has set the game of football in Asia back by a good 10-20 years.

Shame on you.

January Transfer Window Round Up

From ThisIsAnfield.com

Daniele Padelli
Position: Goalkeeper, Date of Birth: 25/10/1985, Former clubs: Sampdoria, Crotone.

Liverpool confirmed the loan signing of Italian under-21 goalkeeper Daniele Padelli from Sampdoria in January 2007, subject to international clearance.

Padelli, who was on loan with second division Crotone in the first half of the season, has signed until the end of the 2006/2007 season when the Reds will have the option to agree a permanent deal.

“He’s a good young goalkeeper who has been selected for his national side,” said manager Rafael Benitez.

“Padelli will give us a good option for the future. The fact he is once again with the under-21s for his national side tells you that we are signing a very good player.
“Our scouting department are working really hard to bring good young players to the club and I’m delighted we have been able to sign Padelli.”


Emiliano Insua
Position: Defender, Date of Birth: 07/01/1989, Former clubs: Boca Juniors

Liverpool signed promising Argentinian defender Emiliano Insua on an 18 month loan deal in January 2007.

The teenage left back - who has represented his country at under 20 level - has arrived from Boca Juniors and signed a deal to keep him at Anfield until June 2008.
“He is a good, young player with a lot of potential,” said manager Rafael Benitez.
Insua’s arrival is part of an ongoing strategy by Rafa Benitez to recruit elite youngsters from across the world and provide a stable foundation for the future of the club.


Jordy Brouwer
Position: Striker, date of birth: 26 February 1988 , Former clubs: Ajax.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Dutch youngster Jordy Brouwer from Ajax. The 18 year old striker is the latest of Rafael Benitez’s youth recruits as the manager continues his policy of planning for the club’s future.

Brouwer - who plays for the Dutch under-19 side - has swapped Ajax for Anfield.
“We have made a good signing for the future in Jordy,” said chief executive Rick Parry.”He has had a youth contract at Ajax, but has opted to build his career at Liverpool. We have been monitoring his progress and look forward to developing his potential at Anfield.” On 22 January 2007 Brouwer signed professional papers with Liverpool on a four and a half year contract[2]. As Brouwer was only a youth at the time of the transfer, the English side only paid a training based fee to Ajax for the player


Sebastiàn Leto
Position: Midfield, Date of birth- , Former club: Lanús (Argentina)

Liverpool have finalised the signing of Sebastiàn Leto, the Argentine winger, in a deal worth £1.85 million. Leto, 20, who plays for Lanùs, had a medical on Merseyside on Friday, but will return to Argentina before officially becoming a Liverpool player on July 1.

Sebastián Leto is an Argentine football midfielder. He was born on August 30, 1986, in the city of Alejandro Korn in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina. He currently plays for Club Atlético Lanús of the Primera Division Argentina.

Leto is one of the most highly rated youngsters breaking into first team football in the Argentine Primera and has played 34 matches for Lanús since breaking into the first team, scoring six goals. He’s considered the best young player in the World behind Lionel Messi in French Magazine TLW.


Alvaro Arbeloa
Position: Centre half/right back, Date of Birth: Jan 17, 1983, Former club: Real Madrid, Deprotivo de la Coruna.

Liverpool have clinched a deal for Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa, according to Deportivo la Coruna boss Joaquin Caparros.The Reds are ready to pay €4million (£2.64million) for the former Real Madrid full-back who only moved to Depor at the start of the current season. Caparros has admitted that the Spanish club have sanctioned the sale of the player who cost €1.3million (£860,000) from Real in the summer.

When the 23 year old left Real he said: “This is a strange situation for me, i have been playing for Real Madrid Castilla for 5 years, since i was 18 year’s old, Real was nothing but good to me, but it’s time for me to go. real has the best players in the world, although that is great for the club, unfortunately that’s not so great for Cantera players, only a few of us can find there place in the first team, and even those how find there place in the first team like Álvaro Mejía and Paco Pavon are only 3ed or 4th pick and that is why i want to live the club, to a club where i can get some play time.”


Francis Durán
Position: Midfield Date of birth: (he’s 18) Former Club: Malaga

Liverpool are set to acquire the services of promising Spanish midfielder Francis Duran from second division team Malaga.The 18-year-old will travel to Liverpool on Tuesday and is expected to sign a professional contract with the Reds, according to the Spanish media.
“It’s a unique opportunity and I couldn’t let it go by,” Francis told the Spanish press.


Javier Mascherano (To be confirmed)
Position: Defensive Midfield, Date of birth- June 8, 1984, Former Club: West ham utd, River Plate, Corinthians.

Argentinian defensive midfielder has been given clearance to sign for the Reds in a deal which may initially be an 18 month loan but this is still to be confirmed officially. Having struggled at the Hammers this season the 22 year old will provide valuable cover for the Reds in midfield.

DIC Pull Out Of Liverpool Deal

The Dubai International Capital investment group have pulled out of a proposed takeover of Liverpool.

The group, owned by the Dubai government, had been examining the club's books with a view to a £156million buy-out.

And their decision to withdraw follows the failure of the Liverpool board to accept the offer last night, following a rival bid by American billionaire George Gillett.

A statement read: "Dubai International Capital LLC today announces that it has decided to end negotiations with Liverpool FC & Athletic Grounds plc about a possible investment in the club.

"Having completed due diligence, DIC submitted a comprehensive offer to the Liverpool board.

"The offer had been accepted in principle by majority shareholder David Moores. It appears that the Liverpool board and the majority shareholder David Moores were unable to approve these terms in order to allow DIC to make a formal offer to all shareholders."

The news prolongs Liverpool's long search for the outside investment they believe they need to compete at the top end of the Premiership and in Europe.

DIC had been their most likely suitor and entered into discussions with the club late last year.

The deal would have valued the club at £450million but the Dubai group have decided to withdraw following the board's decision to allow more time to consider the Gillett bid.

Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, has proposed a deal which is thought to offer shareholders more for their holdings.

Sameer Al Ansari, executive chairman and chief executive officer of DIC, said: "We are very disappointed to be making this announcement. DIC are a serious investor with considerable resources at our disposal.

"At the same time, we are supporters of the game and of the club. Liverpool's investment requirements have been well publicised and, after a huge amount of work, we proposed a deal that would provide the club with the funds it needs, both on and off the pitch.

"We were also prepared to offer shareholders a significant premium on the market price of the shares. However, we will not overpay for assets."

Drogballs: I seriously don't know what to say. After months of anticipating and waiting for that 'imminent' move, the board dillied and dallied, waited and waited and finally DIC says take this or f**k off.

And then the American Gillett decides to enter the picture from out of nowhere and offer another deal. With more money involved, the board seemed to sway towards him and that's it, two months of waiting, back to square one.

Sometimes I wonder whether our board are really a bunch of arrogant people who thinks that because they own Liverpool, a prestigious club, they have the f**king right to stop the world from spinning.

Reading Steven Gerrard's book on how the board dealt with his contract row makes me sick. Now this. Can we afford to wait again?

I don't know much about business takeovers and corporate stuff but I sincerely hope Parry, Moores and his lackeys know what they're doing. If they don't have a back up plan than go ahead, laugh at us.

Anyway New Anfield to be build in 2049 I assume. Gutted.

Oh Gordon!

Gordon Strachan, remember him? Used to be the manager of the team I have soft spot for, which is Southampton. Gotta admire his quotes here

Reporter: Gordon, Do you think James Beattie deserves to be in the England squad?
Strachan: I dont care, I'm Scottish

Reporter: "Gordon, can we have a quick word please?"
Strachan: "Velocity" [walks off]

Reporter: Welcome to Southampton Football Club. Do you think you are the right man to turn things around?
Strachan: No. I was asked if I thought I was the right man for the job and I said, "No, I think they should have got George Graham because I'm useless."

Reporter: Is that your best start to a season?
Strachan: Well I've still got a job so it's far better than the Coventry one, that's for sure.

Reporter: Are you getting where you want to be with this team?
Strachan: We're not doing bad. What do you expect us to be like? We were eighth in the league last year, in the cup final and we got into Europe. I don't know where you expect me to get to. Do you expect us to win the Champions League?

Reporter: Gordon, you must be delighted with that result?
Strachan: You're spot on! You can read me like a book.

Strachan: "I've got more important things to think about. I've got a
yogurt to finish by today, the expiry date is today. That can be my
priority rather than Agustin Delgado."

Reporter: This might sound like a daft question, but you'll be happy to get your first win under your belt, won't you?
Strachan: You're right. It is a daft question. I'm not even going to bother answering that one. It is a daft question, you're spot on there.

Reporter: Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it?
Strachan: No, I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home, become an alcoholic and maybe! jump of a bridge. Umm, I think I can take it, yeah.

Reporter: There's no negative vibes or negative feelings here?
Strachan: Apart from yourself, we're all quite positive round here. I'm going to whack you over the head with a big stick, down negative man, down.

Reporter: where will Marion Pahars fit into the team line-up?
Strachan: Not telling you! It's a secret.

Reporter: You don't take losing lightly, do you Gordon?
Strachan: I don't take stupid comments lightly either.

Reporter: So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today?
Strachan: What areas? Mainly that big green one out there....

GERRARD! OUT! OUT YOU GO!

For laughing at Rafa's slip up. You as a captain laughing at our poor manager. You, now, walk alone!



Okay just kidding, I laughed my arse off as well.