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.

Three And Easy For England

The Return Of Michael Owen

Euro 2008 Qualifier

England 3 - 0 Russia

Scorers:
ENG - Owen (7min, 31min), Ferdinand (84min);

He was the teenage prodigy that set the stage ablaze almost a decade ago in France. Michael Owen came to the scene as an 18 year old striker that possesses killer instinct, pace and tenacity. The goal that he scored against Argentina epitomised everything about him.

But sadly, his career went pear shaped and soon, he found himself spending more time in the physio room than on the pitch itself. Years and years of toil against his problematic hamstring and knee injury stagnated his career.

But last night, we saw Michael Owen, probably back to his best, and helping England brush aside a lacklustre Russian side. Although they're a totally different preposition from Israel, the Three Lions still managed to dispatched them at ease and the scoreline didn't really flatter.

It was a crucial Euro 2008 qualifying game and even though they were missing out with some key players such as Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, it was the return of the old hero that made the difference, giving them a boost in their bid to qualify.

While Guus Hiddink and his Russian team need to realise the danger to allow Owen given so much space round the penalty area and he duly punished them.

It took England only 7 minutes to break the Russian 'Iron Curtain' through a corner. Owen found himself with the ball, totally unmarked, before placing the ball in the far corner in off the post. It was predatory instinct at best while his finishing was a reminisce of the best of him.

The second goal came in the 31st minute as Russian's 3-5-2 tactic was severely exposed in this instance. Emile Heskey, earning his place in the starting XI after a decent performance against Israel over the weekends, made himself a nuisance just outside the Russian penalty area.

With his physical presence, the Russian defenders were struggling to keep track of him while at the same time, left Owen by himself again. Heskey headed the ball into the path of Owen and without second thoughts, he blasted a breathtaking half volley which was absolutely unstoppable.

Perhaps their time together at Liverpool in the early 2000 helped them looked like a match made in heaven. They understood each other well and Heskey, indeed, provided a perfect foil for Owen.

It rounded up a brilliant first half performance from England and the display was something I haven't seen for quite awhile from this English set up. There was good movement from players, understanding and team work while attacking at pace and intensity.

But England's flaws usually show when they take the lead and that is when they usually lose concentration and take their foot off the pedal. It was something that was seemingly brought down from the Sven regime and that you just got to wonder what the manager said to them in the half time team talk.

Russian started the second half all guns blazing and caught England on the back foot on a couple of occasions including one disputable penalty claim which I've seen them given. Paul Robinson was tested but never really trouble even though the Russian proudly proclaiming the England custodian as the weakest link.

But England put the game to bed in the 81st minute and it came from a highly unlikely source.

Gareth Barry's corner was cleared but Owen collected the loose ball and his pass found Rio Ferdinand who was lurking in the penalty area. Seemingly at a loss, he strode forward and blasted the ball towards the Russian goal.

Goalkeeper was unable to keep it out and it was all 3 points for England.

The win gave Steve McClaren some breathing space, finally, after intense pressure from the media to deliver. His gamble with Emile Heskey paid off as well, with the hulking striker linking up with Michael Owen well, bringing out the best of him.

But it is the day Michael Owen gave a shout to world football, saying 'I'm back'. His 40th goal for England means he moved into the hall of legendary England strikers and he is only the 4th. At the age of 27, without any more injury setbacks, he still has a long way to go and probably achieve something greater.

This could be the revival of Michael Owen. Interesting time ahead....

Schuster Dislikes Ugly Liverpool, Prefers....

Real Madrid coach, Bernd Schuster, is definitely not an admirer of Rafa Benitez's team according to his recent interview with Spanish Daily, AS.

Liverpool rely on an unattractive style of football. They are an ugly team to play.

"Look how they really gave Barcelona a going-over last season, when they knocked them out of the Champions League. That's what I mean.

One thing is apparent though. He need to look at the current Premiership table before speaking too soon... or perhaps he's trapped in time.

"My preference would be to graft the Manchester United attack on to Chelsea's defence. That would be perfect,"

Played 5, scored 3 and conceded 6. Just a wee bit better than Sunderland. Real Madrid fans, be very afraid...

Quotes Of Saint Ashley Cole

Just browsing through the same old forum and found this thread totally dedicated to the wonderful quotes of Ashley Cole.

Looking at those quotes, what a wonderful man he is. Brings back good memories of the time I spent laughing at his well documented autobiography.

Anyway here are the picks:

I'd love to be captain of Arsenal one day

With all due respect to Cesc, he is no Patrick Vieira

When I heard Jonathan (Barnett) repeat the figure of £55k, I nearly swerved off the road. “He is taking the piss, Jonathan!” I yelled down the phone. I was so incensed. I was trembling with anger. I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. I suppose it all started to fall apart for me from then on. I’d trusted Mr Dein to push the deal through.

My heart and soul was tied to Arsenal with a fisherman’s knot.

I’m not asking for sympathy — just an awareness of what’s gone on, how I didn’t want to leave and how I feel the board messed things up. Not me. This situation couldn’t have just been my fault. I’m not disloyal. I’m a loyal and honest person and I’ve got principles. I can wake up in the morning and look at myself in the mirror knowing that I’ve done no wrong. I tried to be fair. I tried to be decent. I wonder if the Arsenal board could say the same?

My worst fears were confirmed when, as Thierry (Henry) and I sat in the centre circle after the final whistle, his name was sung from the rooftops while my contribution was recognised by a deafening silence. As his chants faded away we waited for mine. And we waited. And there was nothing. “They’re not bothered about me,” I said, resigned to the fact. It was like I was the invisible man

The deal he offered was a £10,000-a-week increase to £35,000. A hell of a lot of money. But, when taken in the context of football wages and his own estimated value of me of £20 million, and when placed next to those other Arsenal wages of between £80,000 and £100,000 a week, his offer was a p*ss-take. It was a slap in the face, not a pat on the back.

Haha, the epitome of all that is wrong about modern day footballer. Stand up, Ashley. Reach for your back and give yourself a big pat.

Rams Caught In The Headlights

Reds Turned Anfield Into Rams Slaughterhouse

English Premiership

LIVERPOOL 6 - 0 Derby

Scorers:
LIV - Alonso (27min, 69min), Babel (45min), Torres (56min, 78min), Voronin (76min);

Match Highlights:



Thanks Fiz :)

Your brother here has totally no time to catch the match or even afford to sit down for a repeat telecast of the match but from the match highlights (it has been removed, boo hoo), I really think this bunch of players are the closest we can get to help us retrieve what had been lost for the past 20 odd years.

It was a show of what Liverpool had been lacking for the past few seasons under Benitez, or rather, the past decades under the different managers that had tried and failed. Putting the rams under the sword, slaughtered and leaving no traces behind.

It was a epitaph of clean finishing, hunger and so clinical that once Xabi Alonso's dipping freekick went into Stephen Bywater's net, there was no way back for the rams. Byt then it was too late to know they're in a slaughter house...

Without the 'English pillars' of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, with added problems in the bootroom as Pako Ayesteran not present for the match due to unknown reason, Liverpool still showed their quality, or more like highlighting the shortcomings of the newly promoted team.

On paper, it was probably a no-fight but a score line of 6-0 probably suggested that either Liverpool are stronger than we think or Derby are worst than we thought.

Well, it's up to personal judgment but for me, as a Liverpool fan, no doubt I'll want to give credit to Benitez and his Red army. Even from the goals, we see how hungry these group of players are. They fight for every inch of the grass just like how Mascherano slid in to dispossess an unaware Derby defender.

Or even how the goals oozes class and composure, particularly Ryan Babel's first goal for the club in his first ever start for Liverpool. A deadly feint just outside the box took out two Derby defender who dived in to block the shot. Bam! With his right foot, leaving Bywater with absolutely no chance.



Fernando Torres' brace at Anfield was a welcoming one, showing that he really settled down well at Anfield and that he might just be that someone we have been searching for years. Could be another false dawn but what's bad about harbouring hopes on a proven quality?

His first goal showed his deft touch, his pace and his finishing ability. He raced past the Derby defenders as if they weren't there and his reverse shot was well placed, sending the Kop End into raptures.

And his second was pure predatory instinct, something natural within a striker. Todd's first touch was terrible, giving Torres the time to steal possession from behind and once again, his pace left the defence dead and a tap in into an empty net was all he needed to do.

Derby was so bad on so many levels and the difference in terms of class and standard was apparent. The rich gets richer, buys the better player while the poor could only be canon fodders while once in a while, putting up encouraging display and only render to relegation again in the end.

Whatever the case, kudos to Liverpool. You can say 'It's only Derby' but when was the last time you've seen such a comprehensive display by Liverpool?