Not withstanding that a forth spot was up for grabs and there was nothing between the two teams points wise, it was a bit of a let down. The media described it as the "most important derby for 20 years" not sure what happened 20 years ago, maybe it was that Everton were fighting relegation!
Anyway today was no were near the build up, maybe it was the fact that Everton forgot it was a derby and the passion that normally comes with such a game, maybe Liverpool were getting over last weeks mauling by Manure and have one eye on this weeks Champions League with Arsenal. Whatever it was it resulted in Liverpool waking all over Everton in the first half, scoring very early and then should have had the game stitched by the 45 minute mark. There was a string of missed opportunities and you felt that should Everton just get out of first gear, they may make Liverpool pay for all those misses.
Everton certainly played better in the second half, but the facts are that Pepe had absolutely nothing to save in the second 45 minutes and in the end after another glut of missed opportunities, the game fizzled out to a 1-0 home win to the Reds.
So now on to this weeks game with Arsenal, certainly we created enough chances, can't see us getting the same amount against Arsenal. However I do like the look of our defence, it gives us a better balance, Riise at right back had one of his better games while down the middle we were solid.
At the same time, we may finally be drawing this issue of ownership to a end. Hicks and Gillet have finally admitted that as a partnership it's all over! HEAVENS ABOVE WE KNEW THAT MONTHS AGO!
With a handful of league games to plus at least two in the Champions League and maybe new owners coming on board, the tail end of the season maybe the best part of the season afterall
Sunday 30 March 2008
Friday 28 March 2008
Gillett breaks his silence
There is no greater kiss of death than the backing of Mark Lawrenson. Good old Lawro has backed us to beat Everton 2-0 on Sunday. Super.
The build up to the derby, normally quite a heated game (you need only look at the last October's at Woodison), has been dominated by this whole respect the referee lark. Sky even have a fancy graphic over a picture of Steve Bennett being a twat (sending off Mascherano for those of you not familiar with Bennett's twat like behaviour) when they interview various managers about respecting a referee. This includes Alex Ferguson, porn star Paul Jewell and of course our good friend David Moyes.
Of course this gave Gollum his chance to put in a customary sly and bitter dig about how "none of our players chase the referee" on Sky Sports News this afternoon. Evertonians are still reeling from when Rafa called them a small club last season so Moyes will take any opportunity to stick the boot in like a twat.
Both teams do have something in common heading into the 207th Merseyside derby, both will be missing influential midfielders in Javier Mascherano and Tim Cahill who has been ruled out for the season. It's a blow for the Blues and regardless of how Sunday goes it is a boost for us - he is a important player for them.
So too is Mascherano for us and today he admitted a charge of improper conduct ahead of a FA personal hearing next week before the Arsenal game which he will likely miss when the suits at Soho Square hand him Ashley Cole's punishment. \
This being the Ashley Cole whose outburst at Mike Riley was far more animated then anything Mascherano did last Sunday yet he got a yellow card and, in some quarters, praise for a swift and timid apology the next day. Anyway I've been arguing about this all week, it is probably time to move on.
Matters off the field rumble on with George Gillett today confirming what we have all known for months - that his relationship with Tom Hicks is non existent and thus the ownership issue remains up in the air.
We did at least finally get an insight into his thoughts on the matter, his wish to sell to DIC and to do well by the fans. Not all the fans necessarily agree with this as evidenced by the disgusting and unnecessary death threats he and his family have received. Shit like this is being perpetrated by people who should be ashamed to call themselves reds.
But what is most interesting is that Gillett has broken his silence not to any of the English media but to a Toronto sports radio station and only when he was pushed on the matter by the interviewer (The link above provides the audio). If Gillett is really trying to do right by the fans then he should be more open in his dialogue and not sit in silence as he has done since about December. Sure he may be worried of a public slanging match with Hicks but we need the whole story not just the Hicks propaganda being peddled by the Liverpool Echo.
In any case the issue appears no closer to resolution as we head into an important run of games. No predictions from me for Sunday but there's little doubting their importance for the club's future on and off the field.
The build up to the derby, normally quite a heated game (you need only look at the last October's at Woodison), has been dominated by this whole respect the referee lark. Sky even have a fancy graphic over a picture of Steve Bennett being a twat (sending off Mascherano for those of you not familiar with Bennett's twat like behaviour) when they interview various managers about respecting a referee. This includes Alex Ferguson, porn star Paul Jewell and of course our good friend David Moyes.
Of course this gave Gollum his chance to put in a customary sly and bitter dig about how "none of our players chase the referee" on Sky Sports News this afternoon. Evertonians are still reeling from when Rafa called them a small club last season so Moyes will take any opportunity to stick the boot in like a twat.
Both teams do have something in common heading into the 207th Merseyside derby, both will be missing influential midfielders in Javier Mascherano and Tim Cahill who has been ruled out for the season. It's a blow for the Blues and regardless of how Sunday goes it is a boost for us - he is a important player for them.
So too is Mascherano for us and today he admitted a charge of improper conduct ahead of a FA personal hearing next week before the Arsenal game which he will likely miss when the suits at Soho Square hand him Ashley Cole's punishment. \
This being the Ashley Cole whose outburst at Mike Riley was far more animated then anything Mascherano did last Sunday yet he got a yellow card and, in some quarters, praise for a swift and timid apology the next day. Anyway I've been arguing about this all week, it is probably time to move on.
Matters off the field rumble on with George Gillett today confirming what we have all known for months - that his relationship with Tom Hicks is non existent and thus the ownership issue remains up in the air.
We did at least finally get an insight into his thoughts on the matter, his wish to sell to DIC and to do well by the fans. Not all the fans necessarily agree with this as evidenced by the disgusting and unnecessary death threats he and his family have received. Shit like this is being perpetrated by people who should be ashamed to call themselves reds.
But what is most interesting is that Gillett has broken his silence not to any of the English media but to a Toronto sports radio station and only when he was pushed on the matter by the interviewer (The link above provides the audio). If Gillett is really trying to do right by the fans then he should be more open in his dialogue and not sit in silence as he has done since about December. Sure he may be worried of a public slanging match with Hicks but we need the whole story not just the Hicks propaganda being peddled by the Liverpool Echo.
In any case the issue appears no closer to resolution as we head into an important run of games. No predictions from me for Sunday but there's little doubting their importance for the club's future on and off the field.
Monday 24 March 2008
The Masch v Bennett
A good video that gives a synopsis of the Mascherano sending off and all that went round it.
It doesn't exactly paint the little chief in the best light but you can see that in the actual incident that leads to his second yellow card he doesn't appear to have said anything untoward other than "what's happening?"
Torres' yellow card was a fucking joke might I add.
It doesn't exactly paint the little chief in the best light but you can see that in the actual incident that leads to his second yellow card he doesn't appear to have said anything untoward other than "what's happening?"
Torres' yellow card was a fucking joke might I add.
Manc cheating bastards 3-0 Reds
It's taken me a while to gather my thoughts on this one. Probably just as well as my mind was spinning after another demoralising defeat at the hands of our arch rivals.
There seems to be no end to the injustices when we play United or even Chelsea for that matter when I think back to that phantom penalty in September when Florent Malouda fell over Steve Finnan's shadow.
I've argued endlessly about the rights and wrongs of the Mascherano sending off. Having balanced all my own view now is that Steve Bennett bottled it and submitted to the media hype that surrounded dissent towards referees that followed Ashley Cole's behaviour at Spurs last week.
An interesting argument was raised on Irish radio this evening about whether Bennett would have sent off Steven Gerrard had he come over to remonstrate after Torres' ridiculous yellow card. Probably not. English internationals appear to be on higher ground (just look at Cole v Spurs) then those dirty, back talking foreigners. Particularly them Argies. We don't like them at all.
In a strange way you had to admire the passion from Mascherano as well as condemning the stupidity of it all. You just wanted Xabi Alonso to grab El Jefe with all his might when he approached Bennett to remonstrate.
You also have to wonder where Steven Gerrard was in all this. Eventually he arrived on the scene when Mascherano had already exploded following the red card but it was far too late. Surely the proper thing for any captain is to be first on the scene not lurking in the background. Gerrard was also conspicuous in his absence at the end of the game when some of the players rightly spoke to the referee about what had passed in the 90 minutes.
Overall there is nothing positive to take from that performance. In truth, sending off aside we were poor and deserved to be beaten. The good work of the last seven games was horribly undone by a good United side.
Pepe Reina seems to have one nightmare a season. Birmingham away in 05/06, Everton away last season and now on Sunday he was at fault for two of the goals. He did well to prevent further embarrassment but the staples of his game - his commanding of the area and his distribution - were both woeful. We'll put it down to being a one off, a costly one but not one anybody would wish to dwell on.
The rest? Well no good performances at all really. Torres got kicked to fuck by Ferdinand and Vidic who of course went unpunished but for Rio getting a yellow card early in the second half. The fact El Nino came off with rib and ankle injuries says it all really about how unfairly refereed the game was.
And where does it leave our season? Well a late title surge is out of the question now. I didn't think it was possible even beforehand but those who did will be rethinking now.
With the derby next weekend and Everton's draw this weekend we're still in a strong position to take fourth place but we'll need to recover from this.
Our confidence has been sky high of late but you just don't know how much that defeat will effect us. We don't have time to mope around anyway. Everton and then a trilogy of big games against Arsenal await. Still lots of the play for so let's get over this and move on.
Thursday 20 March 2008
A reality check
Yep that's right. Grand Slam Super De Duper Sunday where nothing in your life will matter except football. In fact no Sunday will ever be more important than this one, no Sunday in your entire life.
Bullshit hyperbole aside I'm not going to talk about the absolute cringeworthy, mind melting, crap that Sky comes out with to label these two fixtures that have once again been conveniently arranged by the FA to fall on the same weekend. Barney Ronay succinctly summed up my own feelings prior to a previous GRAND SLAM SHIT YOUR PANTS SUNDAY.
No instead, there has been lots of talk coming out of Melwood in the past few days about how confident everyone appears to be heading into Sunday's game at Old Trafford against league leaders Manchester United.
Nothing wrong with confidence in fact it's the lack of it this season that has led to our title challenge petering out long before we would have liked but it is setting us up for a fall.
Apparently Andy Gray was on Sky Sports last Sunday saying things might get interesting in the title race should we win at Old Trafford on Sunday. You just know Sky will relish bigging us up on Sunday and then chastising us afterwards if we lose.
It may be true that things might get interesting should we win but the fact is that even if we were to come out Castle Greyskull and the Emirates next month with six points it is extremely unlikely that we will be champions come mid-May.
There was a headline on the ESPN "saw-ker" website a few days ago that screamed "Benitez: It's on!". That wasn't what he actually said at all in any of his quotes but United will no doubt pick up on the rhetoric and use it as a way of geeing themselves up for Sunday not that they'll need much geeing up anyway. This is Man U v Liverpool after all.
But in the last few days we've had Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and John Arne Riise all coming out with how much confidence they have going into the game and how United should be fearful of what the Daily Post have labelled the TAG team - Torres and Gerrard...how original...
We'd be better off getting the head down and getting on with our business. The message boards have been awash with confident statements about how we just might be able to do something incredible between now and May but the facts are that we are 11 points off the pace with eight games to go.
We should concentrate on securing Champions League football next season, and then see how close we can finish to the top. If we can narrow the gap from last season great but we should leave talk of a late title push behind.
We blew it, it was bad, very bad at times this season and there remains a lot of questions about certain players in this team but let's concentrate on doing the best we can in the remaining games at home and in Europe and see where we are in the summer where there will be more movements in and out of the club.
What we have learned from this encouraging run of wins is that Benitez is definitely the man for the job, a settled side and formation is the way forward and a few summer tweaks will hopefully see us sustain the kind of run we opened this season with right through to this time next season.
Monday 17 March 2008
Can it get any better?
While I admit my comments are a bit tongue in cheek, March is turning out to be a very good month for Liverpool. We have picked up maximum points in the League and brushed aside the Italian Champions, making a mockery of the fact that Inter Milan were supposed to be the best side in Europe.
I acknowledge that we still have our off field distractions, however as this is not effecting the teams overall performance than, as a loyal supporter there is not much I can do about it - unless I have a spare 500 million to buy the club.
We now enter the make or break part of the season. Two difficult games remain this month, Manure away and Everton at home. With both these games form counts for nothing, they are always tough games, everybody wants to win and nobody wants to lose.
How it has changed from years ago when clubs played 3 games over the Easter period, this typically sorted out the good from the very good, in fact Liverpool won many of their Division 1 Championships by picking up maximum points over this spell.
However we are still winning games - Torres is still scoring (how good is he!) and we are certainly locking ourselves into that 4th position.
When I think of the points we have dropped in those drawn games, we could have be challenging for that top spot instead of the last spot!
I acknowledge that we still have our off field distractions, however as this is not effecting the teams overall performance than, as a loyal supporter there is not much I can do about it - unless I have a spare 500 million to buy the club.
We now enter the make or break part of the season. Two difficult games remain this month, Manure away and Everton at home. With both these games form counts for nothing, they are always tough games, everybody wants to win and nobody wants to lose.
How it has changed from years ago when clubs played 3 games over the Easter period, this typically sorted out the good from the very good, in fact Liverpool won many of their Division 1 Championships by picking up maximum points over this spell.
However we are still winning games - Torres is still scoring (how good is he!) and we are certainly locking ourselves into that 4th position.
When I think of the points we have dropped in those drawn games, we could have be challenging for that top spot instead of the last spot!
Friday 14 March 2008
Fixed draw?
It appears my wild skepticism wasn't misplaced after all.
Rumours of a leaked draw have been doing the rounds on the internet forums in the last few minutes.
A thread running on Red And White Kop links into a post that appeared on icLiverpool's forums which says the draw had been leaked and that bookies had stopped taking bets. The post appeared at 10.28am a full hour and a half before the draw took place and correctly predicts the ties for all the English teams.
Apparently the Liverpool Echo are looking into this. There can of course be no story without concrete evidence but there is something very fishy going on if you ask me, a natural conspiracy theorist!
Keep an eye on this. I will be.
Rumours of a leaked draw have been doing the rounds on the internet forums in the last few minutes.
A thread running on Red And White Kop links into a post that appeared on icLiverpool's forums which says the draw had been leaked and that bookies had stopped taking bets. The post appeared at 10.28am a full hour and a half before the draw took place and correctly predicts the ties for all the English teams.
Apparently the Liverpool Echo are looking into this. There can of course be no story without concrete evidence but there is something very fishy going on if you ask me, a natural conspiracy theorist!
Keep an eye on this. I will be.
The English road to Moscow
The more I watch UEFA's tedious, often farcical draws the more convinced I become that they are fixed.
I have no complaint's about our tie with Arsenal. Fair enough and good that we are home first leg.
But Manchester United have been handed Roma again and will be away in the first leg as they will be should they progress to the semi finals s where they will likely face Barcelona.
Chelsea have been handed a by to the semi finals by being drawn with Fenerbache and we could potentially face them at the semi final stage (where this time we will have to play the first leg at Anfield) for the third time in four years in this competition.
I am being ultra cynical here of course. I am sure the draws are not fixed but UEFA do so much messing around with their balls it's hard not to be skeptical.
Arsenal is a tough draw but in Europe we are a different animal even against the English sides. A solid performance at the Emirates and then bring them back to Anfield where absolutely anything can happen as we all know.
As mentioned, but not wishing to get ahead of ourselves, the winner of this tie will face Chelsea in the semi finals and with Manchester United likely to face Barcelona should both progress an all English final is a distinct possibility.
An all English final in Moscow is not particularly appealing for the authorities or the fans. UEFA's choice of venue is farcical once more, all bloody politics to keep everyone happy. When was the last time a Russian team did anything of note in this competition? Keep the final in central Europe, easily accessible for everyone.
Elsewhere today we have learned of Daniel Agger now being ruled out for the rest of the season with that same metatarsal problem that has sidelined him since September.
It is worrying that he has so many setbacks on the road to recovery and does nothing to allay message board rumours of his career being over. I'm sure it's not and hopefully the surgery will sort the problem out once and for a all. All the talk of modified boots wasn't particularly encouraging.
Another player who has modfied boots is Harry Kewell whose Liverpool career is likely at an end when his contract runs out at the end of the season. It's sad. Such an awesome player for Leeds and at certain times for us but injuries have ruined his spell at Anfield and probably his career. I can't see him ever hitting the heady heights again.
Reading at home tomorrow. We can afford no slip ups with a bruised Everton likely to take all three points at Fulham.
With Villa having dropped points in the week it would appear to be a straight battle between the Bitters and ourselves for fourth. Exciting times.
I have no complaint's about our tie with Arsenal. Fair enough and good that we are home first leg.
But Manchester United have been handed Roma again and will be away in the first leg as they will be should they progress to the semi finals s where they will likely face Barcelona.
Chelsea have been handed a by to the semi finals by being drawn with Fenerbache and we could potentially face them at the semi final stage (where this time we will have to play the first leg at Anfield) for the third time in four years in this competition.
I am being ultra cynical here of course. I am sure the draws are not fixed but UEFA do so much messing around with their balls it's hard not to be skeptical.
Arsenal is a tough draw but in Europe we are a different animal even against the English sides. A solid performance at the Emirates and then bring them back to Anfield where absolutely anything can happen as we all know.
As mentioned, but not wishing to get ahead of ourselves, the winner of this tie will face Chelsea in the semi finals and with Manchester United likely to face Barcelona should both progress an all English final is a distinct possibility.
An all English final in Moscow is not particularly appealing for the authorities or the fans. UEFA's choice of venue is farcical once more, all bloody politics to keep everyone happy. When was the last time a Russian team did anything of note in this competition? Keep the final in central Europe, easily accessible for everyone.
Elsewhere today we have learned of Daniel Agger now being ruled out for the rest of the season with that same metatarsal problem that has sidelined him since September.
It is worrying that he has so many setbacks on the road to recovery and does nothing to allay message board rumours of his career being over. I'm sure it's not and hopefully the surgery will sort the problem out once and for a all. All the talk of modified boots wasn't particularly encouraging.
Another player who has modfied boots is Harry Kewell whose Liverpool career is likely at an end when his contract runs out at the end of the season. It's sad. Such an awesome player for Leeds and at certain times for us but injuries have ruined his spell at Anfield and probably his career. I can't see him ever hitting the heady heights again.
Reading at home tomorrow. We can afford no slip ups with a bruised Everton likely to take all three points at Fulham.
With Villa having dropped points in the week it would appear to be a straight battle between the Bitters and ourselves for fourth. Exciting times.
Wednesday 12 March 2008
Inter 0-1 Reds: So good we made the other guy quit!
While some may seek to take away from last night's victory at the San Siro by saying Inter were significantly weakened by a pretty unfair sending off it is undeniable that Liverpool are deservedly amongst the last eight in the Champions League.
Nor is it undeniable that we were due the kind of luck we have got in this tie following the injustices of 1965 when Bill Shankly's first great Liverpool team was denied a shot at making Liverpool Britain's first European Cup winners.
We had waited 43 years for this. The chance for revenge over Inter and last night we were at out most devastating and clinical best in Europe to see off arguably the continent's best side at present although on the evidence of these two legs they are anything but.
Their Swedish frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a supremely arrogant and - we were lead to believe - a supremely excellent striker was kept quiet for the majority of the tie and when he did have chances - two clear runs on goal - he put one wide and one well over the bar.
At the other end of the pitch, the darling of the Kop Fernando Torres, also had two clear cut chances. He put one straight at the keeper from a tight angle and he put one in the back of the net. That is a supremely excellent striker, a world class striker.
It's now six wins from six and last night's win, while definitely our best, was not our most enjoyable nor one of our better overall displays. Had Dirk Kuyt's crossing been better we might have been out of sight even before Torres' winner just past the hour mark. Ryan Babel had a quiet game while Lucas Leiva, I thought, was particularly anonymous.
But I wouldn't like to be hyper critical and take away from another outstanding defensive performance in which Macherano excelled, Martin Skrtel by and large lay to rest doubts about his ability at this level, Sami Hyypia continued to defy his aging body, Jamie Carragher played out of position but out of his skin and even Fabio Aurelio, much criticised, was solid in defence and laid on the crucial ball for Torres' winner.
But the last word to Pepe Reina who made two outstanding saves in the first. It was another commanding performance and undoubtedly in my mind he is one of the best if not the best goalkeeper in Europe.
Like in previous campaigns our defensive solidity is the key to our progression but with the devastating Gerrard and Torres in attack we have an extra dimension that should count for a hell of a lot in the last eight and hopefully beyond.
Monday 10 March 2008
Reds 3-0 King Kev's sorry lot
It was a tale of two strikers as Liverpool saw off Newcastle with ease on Saturday.
There was Michael Owen, once the darling of the Kop, once European Footballer of the Year, and a striker no Premiership or European defender relished playing.
And then there was Fernando Torres, the new darling of the Kop, a player no Premiership or European defender has relished playing this season and, should he continue this current vein of form, a Ballon D'Or cannot be ruled out in the future.
As El Nino continued his brilliantly devastating form with a clever goal, Michael Owen, as Newcastle captain could only watch as a relentless Liverpool pushed his side further and further towards the drop zone.
Owen's career has gone south since he left Liverpool, he sacrificed what had been a pretty decent sojourn in Spain for regular Premiership football for the sake of his England chances and it's been one nightmare after another since. Injuries have not helped but it can't have escaped many people's notice that players rarely do well after leaving Liverpool, they never hit the heights the did at Anfield. Only Kevin Keegan, ironically Newcastle's current beleaguered manager, and Steve McManaman spring to mind but there are few others.
I feel sorry for Michael. He was a marvelous player for us and always seemed a top bloke but you live and die by the decisions you make in life and at the moment he's suffering.
As his mates and one time team mates Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard prepare to do battle with Inter on Tuesday, he prepares to do battle with Reading, Bolton and Middlesbrough in attempt to avoid the drop. That's a stark reality he won't enjoy facing.
For us that's now five wins on the bounce. A handy little run that has seen the confidence and good feeling restored to all at the club.
The off field circus goes on but we can take solace from the fact that Gerrard and Torres are combing to devastating effect (44 goals between them this season) on the field and we still have genuine aspirations in the Champions League and are in a strong position in the battle for fourth place, admittedly a battle we'd rather not be fighting but having accepted the reality of our season we have to look for as many positives as we can.
Of course Saturday was all just a pre amble for Tuesday's massive game at the San Siro, the kind of game Liverpool Football Club is all about.
There is a danger that at 2-0 we may think the job is done, sub consciously anyway, and slip into ultra defensive mode. Whereas the last time we took a lead to Italy in 2005 when we were beating Juve 2-1 and the tie was on a knife edge 2-0 is a solid lead but not an insurmountable one for the home side particularly given their home form.
But we have the experience, we have the manager, we have the players, we have the confidence. It will be a nerve wrecking night but everyone is looking forward to it and that is what is so great about this game - the great many emotions it puts one through.
That and the remarkable FA Cup semi final line up that was completed over a remarkable two days of football. Man U and Chelsea put to the sword. Chelsea's defeat at Barnsley I'm sure making us all feel a little better about our own exit and Middlesbrough dumped out by a classy Cardiff.
A semi final line up of Pompey, Cardiff, West Brom and Barnsley isn't thrilling stuff but it is, as you will have heard many times this weekend, the magic of the FA Cup and it makes the outcome at Wembley in May entirely unpredictable.
There was Michael Owen, once the darling of the Kop, once European Footballer of the Year, and a striker no Premiership or European defender relished playing.
And then there was Fernando Torres, the new darling of the Kop, a player no Premiership or European defender has relished playing this season and, should he continue this current vein of form, a Ballon D'Or cannot be ruled out in the future.
As El Nino continued his brilliantly devastating form with a clever goal, Michael Owen, as Newcastle captain could only watch as a relentless Liverpool pushed his side further and further towards the drop zone.
Owen's career has gone south since he left Liverpool, he sacrificed what had been a pretty decent sojourn in Spain for regular Premiership football for the sake of his England chances and it's been one nightmare after another since. Injuries have not helped but it can't have escaped many people's notice that players rarely do well after leaving Liverpool, they never hit the heights the did at Anfield. Only Kevin Keegan, ironically Newcastle's current beleaguered manager, and Steve McManaman spring to mind but there are few others.
I feel sorry for Michael. He was a marvelous player for us and always seemed a top bloke but you live and die by the decisions you make in life and at the moment he's suffering.
As his mates and one time team mates Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard prepare to do battle with Inter on Tuesday, he prepares to do battle with Reading, Bolton and Middlesbrough in attempt to avoid the drop. That's a stark reality he won't enjoy facing.
For us that's now five wins on the bounce. A handy little run that has seen the confidence and good feeling restored to all at the club.
The off field circus goes on but we can take solace from the fact that Gerrard and Torres are combing to devastating effect (44 goals between them this season) on the field and we still have genuine aspirations in the Champions League and are in a strong position in the battle for fourth place, admittedly a battle we'd rather not be fighting but having accepted the reality of our season we have to look for as many positives as we can.
Of course Saturday was all just a pre amble for Tuesday's massive game at the San Siro, the kind of game Liverpool Football Club is all about.
There is a danger that at 2-0 we may think the job is done, sub consciously anyway, and slip into ultra defensive mode. Whereas the last time we took a lead to Italy in 2005 when we were beating Juve 2-1 and the tie was on a knife edge 2-0 is a solid lead but not an insurmountable one for the home side particularly given their home form.
But we have the experience, we have the manager, we have the players, we have the confidence. It will be a nerve wrecking night but everyone is looking forward to it and that is what is so great about this game - the great many emotions it puts one through.
That and the remarkable FA Cup semi final line up that was completed over a remarkable two days of football. Man U and Chelsea put to the sword. Chelsea's defeat at Barnsley I'm sure making us all feel a little better about our own exit and Middlesbrough dumped out by a classy Cardiff.
A semi final line up of Pompey, Cardiff, West Brom and Barnsley isn't thrilling stuff but it is, as you will have heard many times this weekend, the magic of the FA Cup and it makes the outcome at Wembley in May entirely unpredictable.
Thursday 6 March 2008
Reds 4-0 Hammers: Getting our groove back
While performances such as last night's are pleasing they make the fact that we are in a fight for fourth place and not for the title all the more galling.
We outclassed and destroyed a decent West Ham side. Had we played like that more often this season we'd be giving the top three a run for the money. Instead we must comfort ourselves with the fact that we have at last overtaken Everton and hopped into fourth place. As Rafa said afterwards it is now ours to throw away.
There are no words left to describe Fernando Torres. All the girls want to shag him and all the boys....well want to shag him too! Two hat tricks in two home games, the first striker to do so at Liverpool in 60 years. His third hat trick of the season over all and even with so few games left it may not be his last especially if the team continues to play like this.
Ryan Babel put in another fine display on the wing but you can see that he's still incredibly raw and often lacks the discipline to play that killer ball. However the crowd appreciate his effort and talent, they know he will get better and that kind of support goes a long way.
Playing his second game in a row, Xabi Alonso is finding some of his old form again.
Javier Mascherano - I have decided - is the new Didi Hamann. Remember when you used to automatically give Didi a 7.5-8/10 for every game because he just went out about his work with quiet efficiency? Well Mascherano is now that player except he does it better, with more energy, offers more going forward and, at a young age, he will get better.
I was impressed with Martin Skrtel again. He improves with every game and his mazy second half run could almost have produced the goal of the season but for a poor execution.
John Arne Riise had a decent game but I found it strange that Fabio Aurelio, a player of some quality but who struggles with consistency, found himself out of the side despite scoring at the weekend. It will do the Brazilian no good at all.
The Kop's half time protest against Hicks and Gillet in which I and those around me in block 306 and beyond took part was, apparently, drowned out by the PA or at least according to my mate in the Main Stand it was which isn't good but I saw plenty of press photgraphers in front the stand getting pictures.
In any case from previous media coverage, I don't think the owners are in any doubt about our feelings. There appears to be little new emerging from the talks with DIC except deadlock despite all this talk of deadlines over the past few days and that isn't doing anyone any good as far as I'm concerned.
We outclassed and destroyed a decent West Ham side. Had we played like that more often this season we'd be giving the top three a run for the money. Instead we must comfort ourselves with the fact that we have at last overtaken Everton and hopped into fourth place. As Rafa said afterwards it is now ours to throw away.
There are no words left to describe Fernando Torres. All the girls want to shag him and all the boys....well want to shag him too! Two hat tricks in two home games, the first striker to do so at Liverpool in 60 years. His third hat trick of the season over all and even with so few games left it may not be his last especially if the team continues to play like this.
Ryan Babel put in another fine display on the wing but you can see that he's still incredibly raw and often lacks the discipline to play that killer ball. However the crowd appreciate his effort and talent, they know he will get better and that kind of support goes a long way.
Playing his second game in a row, Xabi Alonso is finding some of his old form again.
Javier Mascherano - I have decided - is the new Didi Hamann. Remember when you used to automatically give Didi a 7.5-8/10 for every game because he just went out about his work with quiet efficiency? Well Mascherano is now that player except he does it better, with more energy, offers more going forward and, at a young age, he will get better.
I was impressed with Martin Skrtel again. He improves with every game and his mazy second half run could almost have produced the goal of the season but for a poor execution.
John Arne Riise had a decent game but I found it strange that Fabio Aurelio, a player of some quality but who struggles with consistency, found himself out of the side despite scoring at the weekend. It will do the Brazilian no good at all.
The Kop's half time protest against Hicks and Gillet in which I and those around me in block 306 and beyond took part was, apparently, drowned out by the PA or at least according to my mate in the Main Stand it was which isn't good but I saw plenty of press photgraphers in front the stand getting pictures.
In any case from previous media coverage, I don't think the owners are in any doubt about our feelings. There appears to be little new emerging from the talks with DIC except deadlock despite all this talk of deadlines over the past few days and that isn't doing anyone any good as far as I'm concerned.
Sunday 2 March 2008
Bolton 1-3 Reds: A comfortable Sunday win!
A win at the Reebok has been long overdue and it came today with minimal fuss which was never the case when Sam Allardyce was in charge at the Reebok.
I must admit to have been slightly worried that following Jussi Jaaskelainen's bizarre own goal in the first half we seemed in danger of slipping back into that season long habit of conceding an equaliser when it looks unlikely but thankfully Ryan Babel's excellent finish and a fine first goal for Fabio Aurelio saw off Gary Megson's men.
Tamir Cohen's consolation (a goal he will surely be proud of with his father Avi formerly a solid full back for us in the 1980s) was indicative of our poor defending from corners all day. In truth, had Bolton scored from some of their first half efforts where our defending was less than assured then it may have been a different game.
That seems to be our weakness at the moment - set pieces. This is not a rant against zonal marking, far from it. I am very much an advocate of it as it works just as effectively if not more so than man marking despite what the media may have us believe but this season its execution has not been as good. Owing in part I guess to how unsettled are back four has been due to injuries.....and rotation - a can of worms that I shall not be opening.
There were plenty of positives from today's game. Ryan Babel gave the Bolton defence the run around and continues to show glimpses of just how good he can potentially be. Javier Mascherano was as awesome as ever but his midfield partner Xabi Alonso put in an assured, unfussy but effective performance which we have missed from him this season.
Steven Gerrard's been on and off this season but even an off Gerrard is better than most in the Premier League but I thought today he had a fine game and anyone who says that he can't play behind the striker is just as wrong as when they said he can't play on the right. Witness his best goalscoring season with the club to date in 2005/06 where he played, for the large part, where? On the right.
Dirk Kuyt's work rate will be appreciated more if the wins keep flowing, it's when they don't that he gets abuse. He was unlucky not to score today just prior to Babel's strike.
I thought Martin Skrtel was extremely assured at centre half and looks to be adapting very well to English football after a rocky start. Another fine defensive discovery from Rafa.
Everton's win was a downer as it looked like Pompey could have taken something at Woodison. It looks like the Derby on March 30 is going to be one important game.
Apologies for the lack of updates recently. Hopefully with a five games in 14 days coming up there will be more to write about.
I would have reported on my trip to see the reserves beat Manchester United in Warrington last week but I'm afraid I almost died of bordem and cold. Still it was good to see Danny Agger back in action and Gary Ablett's men are making a real push for the reserve league title. With such a young and talented squad that all bodes well for the club in future seasons.
I must admit to have been slightly worried that following Jussi Jaaskelainen's bizarre own goal in the first half we seemed in danger of slipping back into that season long habit of conceding an equaliser when it looks unlikely but thankfully Ryan Babel's excellent finish and a fine first goal for Fabio Aurelio saw off Gary Megson's men.
Tamir Cohen's consolation (a goal he will surely be proud of with his father Avi formerly a solid full back for us in the 1980s) was indicative of our poor defending from corners all day. In truth, had Bolton scored from some of their first half efforts where our defending was less than assured then it may have been a different game.
That seems to be our weakness at the moment - set pieces. This is not a rant against zonal marking, far from it. I am very much an advocate of it as it works just as effectively if not more so than man marking despite what the media may have us believe but this season its execution has not been as good. Owing in part I guess to how unsettled are back four has been due to injuries.....and rotation - a can of worms that I shall not be opening.
There were plenty of positives from today's game. Ryan Babel gave the Bolton defence the run around and continues to show glimpses of just how good he can potentially be. Javier Mascherano was as awesome as ever but his midfield partner Xabi Alonso put in an assured, unfussy but effective performance which we have missed from him this season.
Steven Gerrard's been on and off this season but even an off Gerrard is better than most in the Premier League but I thought today he had a fine game and anyone who says that he can't play behind the striker is just as wrong as when they said he can't play on the right. Witness his best goalscoring season with the club to date in 2005/06 where he played, for the large part, where? On the right.
Dirk Kuyt's work rate will be appreciated more if the wins keep flowing, it's when they don't that he gets abuse. He was unlucky not to score today just prior to Babel's strike.
I thought Martin Skrtel was extremely assured at centre half and looks to be adapting very well to English football after a rocky start. Another fine defensive discovery from Rafa.
Everton's win was a downer as it looked like Pompey could have taken something at Woodison. It looks like the Derby on March 30 is going to be one important game.
Apologies for the lack of updates recently. Hopefully with a five games in 14 days coming up there will be more to write about.
I would have reported on my trip to see the reserves beat Manchester United in Warrington last week but I'm afraid I almost died of bordem and cold. Still it was good to see Danny Agger back in action and Gary Ablett's men are making a real push for the reserve league title. With such a young and talented squad that all bodes well for the club in future seasons.
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