Its probably the most chanted slogan in the world and with no exception it echoes through the city of Liverpool. David Moores must be thinking just how did he allow Rick Parry convince him that it was a better choice to sell to the Americans instead of DIC. After 2 years of broken promises about transfers and the "new" stadium fans of LFC can't wait for them fo finally be sold.
The Americans can't hold on to the club for much longer and asked Merryl Lynch to find them a buyer but nobody seems interested at their asking price.The Royal Bank of Scotland will not give them another extension beyond July on the 350 Million Pounds that they borrowed to buy the club and every passing day that they can't sell the price goes down. Que Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the man that Parry didn't want to sell to. He has publicly stated that he is no longer interested in LFC but news coming out of Liverpool today clearly state that he is still very much interested and is prepared to bide his time and wait for the right price to buy.
There is no doubt that his riches will help propell LFC back to the top. Fans can say over and over again that money doesn't buy success but it does help. Look at what Chelsea achieved in the small space of time since Abromovich took over and Fergie was never denied funds season after season to out spend many teams in Europe and the new found riches at Man City will make them into a top 4 team provided they can get a "big" manager to pull in the stars.
Come May, Sheikh Maktoum could be buying the League Champs and who knows what his deep pockets could buy us..........fingers crossed!!!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
180th Merseyside Derby
Another 3 points dropped at home. While it wasn't a loss it certainly felt like one. After going ahead through another stunning Gerrard strike LFC failed to capitalise on their lead and Everton pegged them back with a typical Cahill header. It seems that Rafa is at times content to see out 1-0 leads when playing your normal attacking football is always the better option. Its happened before and I have to admit that under Rafa its going to happen again.
The return of Torres was the only bonus on the night and after a slow start he started showing signs that he is now(hopefully) over his hamstring troubles. He went on a stunning run from his own half and should have put LFC ahead only for his shot to come off the post. He should have definetly got a penalty after being brought down by Jagielka.
Everton fought back well and got their reward after *&^@%!) careless tackle on Anichebe and Cahill duly scored from the resulting free kick.
Rafa must be kicking himself after surrendering the top spot in the table to MUFC on goal difference with a game in hand and with all the teams in the chasing pack winning over the week-end Rafa has to work his magic and turn LFC back on track and start winning once again.
Theres still a lot of football to be played and the 08/09 season could well have the most exciting finish to an EPL season with the likes of Chelsea,Arsenal and even Villa all seperated by just 6 points at the top.
Looks like this one might take a little longer to wrap up but I'm still confident that this title will end up at Anfield!
The return of Torres was the only bonus on the night and after a slow start he started showing signs that he is now(hopefully) over his hamstring troubles. He went on a stunning run from his own half and should have put LFC ahead only for his shot to come off the post. He should have definetly got a penalty after being brought down by Jagielka.
Everton fought back well and got their reward after *&^@%!) careless tackle on Anichebe and Cahill duly scored from the resulting free kick.
Rafa must be kicking himself after surrendering the top spot in the table to MUFC on goal difference with a game in hand and with all the teams in the chasing pack winning over the week-end Rafa has to work his magic and turn LFC back on track and start winning once again.
Theres still a lot of football to be played and the 08/09 season could well have the most exciting finish to an EPL season with the likes of Chelsea,Arsenal and even Villa all seperated by just 6 points at the top.
Looks like this one might take a little longer to wrap up but I'm still confident that this title will end up at Anfield!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
180th Merseyside Derby
As if the Merseyside derby isn't a big enough game in the city of Liverpool , tomorrows game at Anfield has added value...top of the league table. After MUFC won 1-0 thanks to a late strike by Berbatov against Bolton they went top of the table for the first time this season and we want our position back.
In the first game at Goodison Park Torres and Keane were magnificent upfront and I hope Rafa restores them both to the starting line-up. Torres has stated on the week-end that he is ready to start and I'm sure he would do well in a 4-3-1-2 formation playing alongside Keane with Gerrard in the hole behind them. Riera, Alonso & Kuyt should make up the rest of the midfield.The backline should remain the same.
Tomorrows game is a must win if we want to keep the pressure on the other contenders so Rafa should do the right thing and start his best 11 and get all 3 points.
In the first game at Goodison Park Torres and Keane were magnificent upfront and I hope Rafa restores them both to the starting line-up. Torres has stated on the week-end that he is ready to start and I'm sure he would do well in a 4-3-1-2 formation playing alongside Keane with Gerrard in the hole behind them. Riera, Alonso & Kuyt should make up the rest of the midfield.The backline should remain the same.
Tomorrows game is a must win if we want to keep the pressure on the other contenders so Rafa should do the right thing and start his best 11 and get all 3 points.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Did Rafa Get It Wrong?
Was his pre-meditated attack on Fergie signs that he DID succumb to the mind games?
Was the manner in which he attacked Fergie wrong?
I think the answer to both those questions is Yes!
I for one loved the way he finally exposed Fergie for the "mob" boss that he thinks he is but Rafa should not have had such a public outburst. He should have just kept his cool and waited for Fergie to crack first.
What was worst for Rafa is that the team did not back his statements by drawing against Stoke. They put in a terrible performance. It looked like the players themselves were affected by the mind games.
Rafa's starting 11 was questionable and so were his subs and the timing of them. Players like Lucas and Benayoun were left on for too long.
Why was Torres left on the bench for so long and why Keene was not even used? These are the problems that Rafa has to address soon if we are to win that elusive 19th title or dear I say it the Mancs might end up equalling our record.
United fans are already celebrating like they won the title but remember we already got the points on the board, those 2 games that you got in hand won't coun't for anything unless you get maximum points and even if you do you still have to play us! So relax boys it looks like this ones going down to the wire.
Was the manner in which he attacked Fergie wrong?
I think the answer to both those questions is Yes!
I for one loved the way he finally exposed Fergie for the "mob" boss that he thinks he is but Rafa should not have had such a public outburst. He should have just kept his cool and waited for Fergie to crack first.
What was worst for Rafa is that the team did not back his statements by drawing against Stoke. They put in a terrible performance. It looked like the players themselves were affected by the mind games.
Rafa's starting 11 was questionable and so were his subs and the timing of them. Players like Lucas and Benayoun were left on for too long.
Why was Torres left on the bench for so long and why Keene was not even used? These are the problems that Rafa has to address soon if we are to win that elusive 19th title or dear I say it the Mancs might end up equalling our record.
United fans are already celebrating like they won the title but remember we already got the points on the board, those 2 games that you got in hand won't coun't for anything unless you get maximum points and even if you do you still have to play us! So relax boys it looks like this ones going down to the wire.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Arise Sir Rafael Benitez!
Hes only been in the hot seat at Anfield for 5 years now and with the Champions League and FA Cup already in the trophy cabinet Rafa has worked hard with the players and backroom staff to win the Premier League Title but even if he fails and gets the sack he will still go down in LFC history as one of the most memorable managers we ever had especially after hes stunning attack on Alex Ferguson.
Rafa took a stunning swipe against the fiery Scot in his pre-match conference this afternoon.
Below is the transcript in full:
Rafa Benitez took an amazing but truthful swipe at Sir Alex Ferguson during his pre-match press conference today.Here's the transcript in full:"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (Manchester United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table."But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start."But I have seen some facts. On November 1, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct."We started the Respect campaign, and that was when (Javier) Mascherano was sent off (last season) at Old Trafford."The referee (Steve Bennett) was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game."I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season (against Wigan)."During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett."He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything."Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage."But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then."And about his behaviour with referees. The Southampton manager he knows how Mr Ferguson works and how he works, he was very clear. I am not playing mind games, just facts."If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures."One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know."Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United."Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking."All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens."We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week."Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous."I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on. I will be watching United's game with Chelsea."The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter."I was surprised United wanted to start the mind games too early, maybe it is because we are top of the table. But I only wanted to explain our position."It is a massive difference to play early on a Saturday, say, after a European match in midweek."But they will play the second half of the season with home matches against the other top teams, and that is a massive advantage to them."They cannot complain about the fixtures after they were playing on 29 December while the rest played on the 28th."I have decided that I had a lot of information and I have been watching every single week what has been going on. Then they started talking about us, but every single week we know they will be talking."But we want to stay at the top and maybe they will talk about us right to the end."To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair."You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off."It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair."We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and FA about the Respect campaign. And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr Atkinson, killing Mr Hackett."But he is not punished. How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?"You can analyse the facts and come to your own decision and ideas."There is still no news about my contract, my agent has not received any documents so he is a little bit disappointed. But we will see."I would rather not talk too much about this, though, when we have an important game ahead."
Long Live Sir Rafael Benitez!!!
Rafa took a stunning swipe against the fiery Scot in his pre-match conference this afternoon.
Below is the transcript in full:
Rafa Benitez took an amazing but truthful swipe at Sir Alex Ferguson during his pre-match press conference today.Here's the transcript in full:"I was surprised by what has been said, but maybe they (Manchester United) are nervous because we are at the top of the table."But I want to talk about facts. I want to be clear, I do not want to play mind games too early, although they seem to want to start."But I have seen some facts. On November 1, they played Hull and Mr Ferguson had a two-match touchline ban and a £10,000 fine after confronting Mike Dean, the referee, for improper conduct."We started the Respect campaign, and that was when (Javier) Mascherano was sent off (last season) at Old Trafford."The referee (Steve Bennett) was the referee when they played against Wigan - he could not see the handball against Wigan by Rio Ferdinand, he did not give a penalty. They won the game and they won the title in this game."I think it will be the same referee who will be in charge of their game in hand this season (against Wigan)."During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett."He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."Then he was talking about the fixtures. Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything."Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage."But at Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then."And about his behaviour with referees. The Southampton manager he knows how Mr Ferguson works and how he works, he was very clear. I am not playing mind games, just facts."If he wants to talk about fixtures, and have a level playing field as you say in England. There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures."One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know."Sky and Setanta have the right to choose their games and it will be the same for everyone. So Mr Ferguson will not be complaining about fixtures and a campaign against United."Or there is another option. That Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."We know what happens every time we go to Old Trafford and the United staff. They are always going man to man with the referees, especially at half-time when they walk close to the referees and they are talking and talking."All managers need to know is that only Mr Ferguson can talk about the fixtures, can talk about referees and nothing happens."We need to know that I am taking about facts, not my impression. There are things that everyone can see every single week."Are they under pressure? Maybe they were not thinking that we would be at the top of the table in January. But we are at the top of the table and they are nervous."I am not telling the authorities what to do. But I have been here for five years and know how things are going on. I will be watching United's game with Chelsea."The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter."I was surprised United wanted to start the mind games too early, maybe it is because we are top of the table. But I only wanted to explain our position."It is a massive difference to play early on a Saturday, say, after a European match in midweek."But they will play the second half of the season with home matches against the other top teams, and that is a massive advantage to them."They cannot complain about the fixtures after they were playing on 29 December while the rest played on the 28th."I have decided that I had a lot of information and I have been watching every single week what has been going on. Then they started talking about us, but every single week we know they will be talking."But we want to stay at the top and maybe they will talk about us right to the end."To hear someone talking when he has problems with referees every single week, and now complaining about the fixtures and complaining about everything, I think that is not fair."You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off."It is part of the game. But to complain and to always have an advantage is not fair."We had a meeting in Manchester with managers and FA about the Respect campaign. And I was very clear, forget the campaign because Mr Ferguson was killing the referees, killing Mr Atkinson, killing Mr Hackett."But he is not punished. How can you talk about the respect campaign and criticise the referee every single week?"You can analyse the facts and come to your own decision and ideas."There is still no news about my contract, my agent has not received any documents so he is a little bit disappointed. But we will see."I would rather not talk too much about this, though, when we have an important game ahead."
Long Live Sir Rafael Benitez!!!
Monday, January 5, 2009
FA Cup 4th Round Draw
Liverpool v Everton
Man United v Tottenham
Hull/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth/Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient/Sheff Utd v Charlton/Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea
Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering Town v Fulham
Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham City/Wolves v Middlesbrough.
The tie will be played over the weekend of January 24/25
Man United v Tottenham
Hull/Newcastle v Millwall/Crewe
Sunderland v Blyth/Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
Leyton Orient/Sheff Utd v Charlton/Norwich
Cardiff v Arsenal
Portsmouth/Bristol City v Histon/Swansea
Chelsea/Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham/Doncaster v Aston Villa
West Brom/Peterborough v QPR/Burnley
Torquay v Coventry
Kettering Town v Fulham
Watford v Leicester/Crystal Palace
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham City/Wolves v Middlesbrough.
The tie will be played over the weekend of January 24/25
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2008.....A GREAT YEAR FOR LFC
While 2008 finished with mixed emotions for LFC fans after ending the year as table toppers and the "bar brawl" involving Kop idol Steven Gerrard, you have to admit it was quite an astonishing year.
This time last year we were out of the title race and fighting to secure 4th spot in the table. The backroom boiler was smouldering with news of the growing split between key members in the board. Rafa was in line to get the sack and be replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann after reports emerged that the Americans had held meetings with Klinsmann about taking over the reigns at Anfield.The natives grew restless and the Americans quickly became hate figures as they tried to disrupt a "way of life" for most LFC fans from Liverpool and all around the world.
Meanwile back at Melwood Rafa was only concerntrating on the games ahead and his players. In Gerrad and Torres he had match-winners and a back five including Reina, probably one of the best organised units in league. In the centre of midfield Alonso and Mascherano were a match for any. On the right of midfield Rafa had the "Energiser Bunny" Dirk Kuyt. This mans work-rate is secend to none and proved a match-winner in our assault in the Champoins League. Babel/Benayoun/Riise were all deployed at some point down the left flank. The team had a good run in the league and secured Champions League qualification for another season. Torres finished a reamarkable debut season with 33 goals in total and even surpassed van Nistelrooy total of 23 league goals to become the highest scoring foreigner in his debut season.
The 08/09 season will prove to be one of the most important for any LFC fan as we desperately try to win that elusive 19th league title with Man Utd hot on their heels to equal our record of 18 league titles.
After thrashing Newcastle 5-1 at St James Park Steven Gerrard said that this was the best LFC team that he played in and with the eminent return of Fernando Torres to our line-up there is no doubt that this will be our best chance of ending our long overdue wait for the title to return to Anfield.
By contrast we head into 2009 as league leaders by 3 clear points and no doubt Rafa will strenghten the team in the January transfer window as we head into the homestretch of the season ready for a title fight.
This time last year we were out of the title race and fighting to secure 4th spot in the table. The backroom boiler was smouldering with news of the growing split between key members in the board. Rafa was in line to get the sack and be replaced by Jurgen Klinsmann after reports emerged that the Americans had held meetings with Klinsmann about taking over the reigns at Anfield.The natives grew restless and the Americans quickly became hate figures as they tried to disrupt a "way of life" for most LFC fans from Liverpool and all around the world.
Meanwile back at Melwood Rafa was only concerntrating on the games ahead and his players. In Gerrad and Torres he had match-winners and a back five including Reina, probably one of the best organised units in league. In the centre of midfield Alonso and Mascherano were a match for any. On the right of midfield Rafa had the "Energiser Bunny" Dirk Kuyt. This mans work-rate is secend to none and proved a match-winner in our assault in the Champoins League. Babel/Benayoun/Riise were all deployed at some point down the left flank. The team had a good run in the league and secured Champions League qualification for another season. Torres finished a reamarkable debut season with 33 goals in total and even surpassed van Nistelrooy total of 23 league goals to become the highest scoring foreigner in his debut season.
The 08/09 season will prove to be one of the most important for any LFC fan as we desperately try to win that elusive 19th league title with Man Utd hot on their heels to equal our record of 18 league titles.
After thrashing Newcastle 5-1 at St James Park Steven Gerrard said that this was the best LFC team that he played in and with the eminent return of Fernando Torres to our line-up there is no doubt that this will be our best chance of ending our long overdue wait for the title to return to Anfield.
By contrast we head into 2009 as league leaders by 3 clear points and no doubt Rafa will strenghten the team in the January transfer window as we head into the homestretch of the season ready for a title fight.
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