Its been 3 years since I last wrote on this blog and after reading older posts I really felt the need to apologise to a Kop hero....Lucas Leiva.
Back in 2009 when Rafa insisted on playing Mascherano, Alonso AND Lucas many(including me!) questioned Lucas inclusion. Why 3 'holding' midfielders...why Lucas!!!
While I knew Lucas was a class player I questioned his inclusion into an already steady midfield and was frustrated because we could obviously use an extra attacking player instead of another defensive one.
Barely a season later and I was made to eat my words and admitted it to every Liverpool fan I knew.
With Alonso moving on to Real Madrid and Masherano following soon after to Barcelona, Lucas was left to hold the midfield and boy did he step up. He soon established himself as the number one midfielder and our most productive player with the exception of the ever present Captain Stevie. He became a Kop hero...
No one was more excited to see Lucas come on as a sub on the recent American tour than me. Lucas was back to stabilise our fragile midfield that hurt so much under King Kenny when he got injured last season against Chelsea. Liverpool FC looked to step up a gear last season after Kenny was signed on as permanent manager but that progress was soon halted when Lucas got injured against Chelsea in the League Cup. With that our league form dipped, we just could'nt match other teams in midfield. Even the great Stevie G commented that Lucas was the form player when he got injured and it hurt the team. No one really stood out as an adequate replacement for Lucas in midfield and the team suffered. Yes we outplayed a lot of teams and suffered terrible luck in front of goal but for me the key to our miserable season was the loss of Lucas.
The Rogers Revolution started decently with some stella performances in the States and the inclusion of Lucas was a great sight once again. In the opening day of the season against West Brom we lost but we were never outplayed in that game, 3-0 was a flattering score line. Although Lucas was tiring in midfield I felt that his substitution was a major factor in us conceding 2 goals late on. It allowed West Brom to have a better share of the midfield. Lucas just covers so much ground and breaks ups much of the opposition plays.
We will once again lose the services of Lucas who was injured early on against Manchester City.... at least this time it wont be for the whole season. I'm really looking forward to enjoying your contribution on the field in his new Rogers system.
We need you to be back soon and stronger in our push for the Champions League places and hopefully we can shut a few doubters up and even challenge for that elusive League Title.
C'mon Lucas ....The Kop Hero from Sunny Brasil....
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
The Rogers Revolution
Is the Rogers Revolution really taking shape?
From the view of a Liverpool FC addict I can safely say it is....
Pushing on from last seasons ups and downs one can really see a change in the philosophy at Liverpool. Rodgers has a system in place that I think will work well with the players available to him, he's added Joe Allen who already looks like a polished midfielder, no disrepect to Swansea but Liverpool is more than just a club and we boast a midfield to match any in the Premier League. Allen has not only fitted in but has been our best performer since the league started, breaking down opposition play and also passing accuracy. Nuri Sahin has also been added and I can't wait to see him and how Rogers will shuffle the team around to accomodate him. He is exactly the type of player that we needed in the midfield. In my opinion he should be sitting just behind Suarez.
We were hard done by with two unfortunate mistakes against Man City, it was a case of 3 dropped points for Liverpool FC, who fought hard against the Champions. Raheem Sterling showed that he can play at this level, hes may runs and final ball into the box will no doubt be a good reason to bench Downing. He worked his socks off back tracking and im sure we're gonna be seeing more of this talented 17 year old.
One major concern for me is up front, while Borinin works hard the final product is still lacking, I trust Rogers judgment on him and having worked with him before knows his capabilities. With the future of Carroll still in doubt it remains to be seen if we will indeed add another striker.
Players like Spearing, Henderson, Adam, Downing, Carroll need to be moved on and suitable replacements need to be brought in, players that can fit in and play the 'Rogers' style must be brought in before the transfer window closes.
I'm really excited to see where Rogers can actually take the team once his philosophy is really understood on the field.
YNWA
From the view of a Liverpool FC addict I can safely say it is....
Pushing on from last seasons ups and downs one can really see a change in the philosophy at Liverpool. Rodgers has a system in place that I think will work well with the players available to him, he's added Joe Allen who already looks like a polished midfielder, no disrepect to Swansea but Liverpool is more than just a club and we boast a midfield to match any in the Premier League. Allen has not only fitted in but has been our best performer since the league started, breaking down opposition play and also passing accuracy. Nuri Sahin has also been added and I can't wait to see him and how Rogers will shuffle the team around to accomodate him. He is exactly the type of player that we needed in the midfield. In my opinion he should be sitting just behind Suarez.
We were hard done by with two unfortunate mistakes against Man City, it was a case of 3 dropped points for Liverpool FC, who fought hard against the Champions. Raheem Sterling showed that he can play at this level, hes may runs and final ball into the box will no doubt be a good reason to bench Downing. He worked his socks off back tracking and im sure we're gonna be seeing more of this talented 17 year old.
One major concern for me is up front, while Borinin works hard the final product is still lacking, I trust Rogers judgment on him and having worked with him before knows his capabilities. With the future of Carroll still in doubt it remains to be seen if we will indeed add another striker.
Players like Spearing, Henderson, Adam, Downing, Carroll need to be moved on and suitable replacements need to be brought in, players that can fit in and play the 'Rogers' style must be brought in before the transfer window closes.
I'm really excited to see where Rogers can actually take the team once his philosophy is really understood on the field.
YNWA
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Fight Goes On
14 March 2009, the scoreboard at Old Trafford read Manchester Utd 1-4 Liverpool. It was unthinkable. Many Utd fans and even well known football punters said it was merely a bad day at the office and Utd have too much class to crumble. They would prove their quality by bouncing straight back with a convincing performance at Fulham's Craven Cottage, a ground they never lost at for the last 45 years or so.
Utd fans were in for a shock. Their team hardly showed up before a Danny Murphy penalty put them 1-0 down. Utd never recovered from losing Scholes so early on and were lucky to go into halftime trailing by just the one goal. Utd came out fighting in the second half but could not crack a resiliant Fulham defence and an equally good Shwarzer. The pressure started to show and after conceding a second goal in the 88th minute it looked like most of the fireworks had passed. Up stepped Rooney and after hurling the ball back at the referee he saw red for a second yellow. Utd looked a beaten team.
The weekend got even better for LFC when Chelsea lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane to a Modric goal early in the second half. Spurs fought hard for the 3 points after much criticised goalkeeper Gomes made a series of stunning saves. A weekend this good could only be capped by a Liverpool win. Many fans feared that our inconsistency would once again come back to haunt us with a tricky tie against Aston Villa. How wrong they would be. LFC ended up winning the game 5-0 and closing the gap to just 1 point from Man Utd albeit with a game in hand.
Liverpool started the game with a frantic pace and pushed Villa back with some stunning approach play and opened the scoring after just 8 minutes from a well taken shot by Kuyt after Alonso's initial header from a Gerrad free kick came back off the cross bar. Villa started coming back into the game and gave LFC a scare or two. Carew's header from a well placed Milner cross brought a fabulous one handed save from Reina. Soon after the mini Villa revival they found themselves 2-0 down. Reina was the architech of the goal as he pumped the ball up field with pin point accuracy and picked out Riera who smashed a stunning volley past the helpless Friedle. LFC put the game beyond Villa with a third goal before halftime after Riera went on a run into the box looking to take on Reo-Cocker and was brought down. Gerrard did the honours and sent Friedle the wrong way.
Early in the second half Gerrard had the opportunity to extend the lead after Kuyt was brought down on the edge of the box. He calmly stroked the ball into the net to make if 4-0. Liverpool were coasting and Rafa decided to rest both Alonso and Arbeloa who were returning from injuries. On came Rafa's favourite, Lucas and a welcomed return for Agger. Torres latched on a through ball and rounded Friedle only to be up ended and the American saw red for his troubles. Gerrard slotted the ball into the back of the net and once again sent the keeper the wrong way thus completing a stunning set piece hat-trick.
The title race is definetly back on and for once it might look like Utd are the ones who succumb to the pressures of leading the pack into the business end of the season. Fergie should be worried.
Utd fans were in for a shock. Their team hardly showed up before a Danny Murphy penalty put them 1-0 down. Utd never recovered from losing Scholes so early on and were lucky to go into halftime trailing by just the one goal. Utd came out fighting in the second half but could not crack a resiliant Fulham defence and an equally good Shwarzer. The pressure started to show and after conceding a second goal in the 88th minute it looked like most of the fireworks had passed. Up stepped Rooney and after hurling the ball back at the referee he saw red for a second yellow. Utd looked a beaten team.
The weekend got even better for LFC when Chelsea lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane to a Modric goal early in the second half. Spurs fought hard for the 3 points after much criticised goalkeeper Gomes made a series of stunning saves. A weekend this good could only be capped by a Liverpool win. Many fans feared that our inconsistency would once again come back to haunt us with a tricky tie against Aston Villa. How wrong they would be. LFC ended up winning the game 5-0 and closing the gap to just 1 point from Man Utd albeit with a game in hand.
Liverpool started the game with a frantic pace and pushed Villa back with some stunning approach play and opened the scoring after just 8 minutes from a well taken shot by Kuyt after Alonso's initial header from a Gerrad free kick came back off the cross bar. Villa started coming back into the game and gave LFC a scare or two. Carew's header from a well placed Milner cross brought a fabulous one handed save from Reina. Soon after the mini Villa revival they found themselves 2-0 down. Reina was the architech of the goal as he pumped the ball up field with pin point accuracy and picked out Riera who smashed a stunning volley past the helpless Friedle. LFC put the game beyond Villa with a third goal before halftime after Riera went on a run into the box looking to take on Reo-Cocker and was brought down. Gerrard did the honours and sent Friedle the wrong way.
Early in the second half Gerrard had the opportunity to extend the lead after Kuyt was brought down on the edge of the box. He calmly stroked the ball into the net to make if 4-0. Liverpool were coasting and Rafa decided to rest both Alonso and Arbeloa who were returning from injuries. On came Rafa's favourite, Lucas and a welcomed return for Agger. Torres latched on a through ball and rounded Friedle only to be up ended and the American saw red for his troubles. Gerrard slotted the ball into the back of the net and once again sent the keeper the wrong way thus completing a stunning set piece hat-trick.
The title race is definetly back on and for once it might look like Utd are the ones who succumb to the pressures of leading the pack into the business end of the season. Fergie should be worried.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Utd Routed At Old Trafford
Well done BOYS.... Great victory today!!!!
After a tense start from Liverpool we recovered and went on to record probably our most emphatic wins against Man Utd and all this began after we went 1-0.
We were very unlucky to concede a penalty soon after we were just starting a grow into the game. The players never dropped their heads and fought back and soon after were level. It was another well crafted goal from Torres who disspossed Vidic and ran on to slot the ball past the onrushing Van Der Sar. We started to boss the game and after some slick passing between Torres and Gerrard ,Evra brought Gerrard down..Penalty! Gerrard Scored, 2-1 at the break.
Utd came out the stronger after halftime and were looking for the equaliser but we held on. Gerrard wasted a great chance to extend the lead but he skied his shot when it looked easier to hit the target. Soon after Gerrard was brought down by Vidic just outside the box. Vidic saw red and up stepped Aurelio to hit the back of the net with a stunning swerving free-kick that left Va Der Sar rooted to his line. The rout was completed in injury time when Dossena latched on to a clearance from Reina to lob the ball over Van Der Sar who could only watch the ball sail over his head.
Pure ectacy for every player and fan alike as this capped one of the most thrilling weeks in recent times.Now lets go on and win the title!!!
After a tense start from Liverpool we recovered and went on to record probably our most emphatic wins against Man Utd and all this began after we went 1-0.
We were very unlucky to concede a penalty soon after we were just starting a grow into the game. The players never dropped their heads and fought back and soon after were level. It was another well crafted goal from Torres who disspossed Vidic and ran on to slot the ball past the onrushing Van Der Sar. We started to boss the game and after some slick passing between Torres and Gerrard ,Evra brought Gerrard down..Penalty! Gerrard Scored, 2-1 at the break.
Utd came out the stronger after halftime and were looking for the equaliser but we held on. Gerrard wasted a great chance to extend the lead but he skied his shot when it looked easier to hit the target. Soon after Gerrard was brought down by Vidic just outside the box. Vidic saw red and up stepped Aurelio to hit the back of the net with a stunning swerving free-kick that left Va Der Sar rooted to his line. The rout was completed in injury time when Dossena latched on to a clearance from Reina to lob the ball over Van Der Sar who could only watch the ball sail over his head.
Pure ectacy for every player and fan alike as this capped one of the most thrilling weeks in recent times.Now lets go on and win the title!!!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Anfield Welcomes Real Madrid
We have entered the week that could define Liverpools season and also the fate of Rafa Benitez. Liverpool welcome the mighty Real Madrid to Anfield tonight and travel to Old Trafford on Saturday in what could be a crucial game for both Liverpool and Manchester Utd's title aspirations. While many people already say its over I still believe that if we get the 3 points at old Trafford the title race could go down to the wire.
Taking a 1 goal lead into the 2nd leg of the Champions League Knockout stage, Real Madrid still have everything to play for. By no means is this tie over. Madrid have the experience and class to snatch the victory out of Liverpools grasp but Rafa's boys will no doubt be up for the fight. In todays press conference Rafa says that he will give Torres every chance of playing against Madrid and would wait until the absolute last minute to make a decision. Gerrard should lead Liverpool out at Anfield in what would be his 100th European appearance for the club. Rafa still has problems with the right back slot as Arbeloa is still missing and after Skrtles dismal performance at right back against Middlebrough he might have to deploy Mascherano who gave a good account of himself against Sunderland in mid-week. Benayoun is out of the clash after a bizzare training ground collission caused him to tear his hamstring so Kuyt should be re-called at right half and Reira on the left with Stevie G playing just behind Torres. This formation has worked well for Rafa in the past and could be the key to beating Madrid.
Whatever team Rafa starts with we just have to attack Madrid from the first whistle and who knows what could happen with out "12th" man "The Kop" in full flight Madrid could just get caught cold. This could work in our favour on what should be a very special European night at Anfield.
Taking a 1 goal lead into the 2nd leg of the Champions League Knockout stage, Real Madrid still have everything to play for. By no means is this tie over. Madrid have the experience and class to snatch the victory out of Liverpools grasp but Rafa's boys will no doubt be up for the fight. In todays press conference Rafa says that he will give Torres every chance of playing against Madrid and would wait until the absolute last minute to make a decision. Gerrard should lead Liverpool out at Anfield in what would be his 100th European appearance for the club. Rafa still has problems with the right back slot as Arbeloa is still missing and after Skrtles dismal performance at right back against Middlebrough he might have to deploy Mascherano who gave a good account of himself against Sunderland in mid-week. Benayoun is out of the clash after a bizzare training ground collission caused him to tear his hamstring so Kuyt should be re-called at right half and Reira on the left with Stevie G playing just behind Torres. This formation has worked well for Rafa in the past and could be the key to beating Madrid.
Whatever team Rafa starts with we just have to attack Madrid from the first whistle and who knows what could happen with out "12th" man "The Kop" in full flight Madrid could just get caught cold. This could work in our favour on what should be a very special European night at Anfield.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Rafa Must Go
After watching our dismall performance against Middlesborogh I can't help but feel that the Americans should call time on Rafa's tenure at Anfield.Once again his rotation policy killed us and to make matters worst our only two match winners are injured.Torres will be sidelined for up to 2 more games and Gerrard's injury is sill unclear.
While Rafa still hasn't signed his new contract I think the Americans should withdraw the offer and let him go in the summer and he should take his underachieving players with him. I was pleased to see that we were linked with Mourinho but I would rather bring in Rijkaard. I would like to see us play good football while winning trophies and I think his fresh approach and attacking instict would go down well with LFC fans all over.Just look at what he did with Barca, they played some of the most attractive football in the world at the time while winning La Liga and the Champions League.
Rafa once again stuttered in the league and since his public outburts against Fergie we have only won 2 league games and have sinced been passed by a resurgent Chelsea who are now 2nd. He made everything about himself and the team sufferred for it. Confidence is at an all time low and the way we played on Saturday is a huge worry with big games against Man U, Real Madrid and Villa all coming up in the next few weeks.Our season could be wrecked from a title pushing position to our customary 4th in the table.
While Rafa still hasn't signed his new contract I think the Americans should withdraw the offer and let him go in the summer and he should take his underachieving players with him. I was pleased to see that we were linked with Mourinho but I would rather bring in Rijkaard. I would like to see us play good football while winning trophies and I think his fresh approach and attacking instict would go down well with LFC fans all over.Just look at what he did with Barca, they played some of the most attractive football in the world at the time while winning La Liga and the Champions League.
Rafa once again stuttered in the league and since his public outburts against Fergie we have only won 2 league games and have sinced been passed by a resurgent Chelsea who are now 2nd. He made everything about himself and the team sufferred for it. Confidence is at an all time low and the way we played on Saturday is a huge worry with big games against Man U, Real Madrid and Villa all coming up in the next few weeks.Our season could be wrecked from a title pushing position to our customary 4th in the table.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Utd Go 7 Points Clear
Utd opened up a 7 point gap after we stumbled to our 10th draw of the season. Without Stevie G and Alonso in midfield we just lacked imagination and drive. Lucas once again was given a starting role in midfield alongside Mascherano but failed to impress. One really has to wonder about Rafa's vision in selling Sissoko and replacing him with Lucas.
I for one hope that Rafa doesn't sign the new and improved contract thats on offer. We should cut our losses and get rid of him at the end of the season.There are a number of players that should follow him out of Anfield namely Lucas, Dossena, Babel, Ngog, Benoyoun, Voronin, Deggen, El Zhar, Pennant & Aurelio. These are players that have never lived up to expectations.
In the league this season Rafa's tactics were questioned. I know he is the one that got us to the top but in recent weeks he seemed to have no clue. Decisions that are ultimatley made by him came into question, team selection, subs, timing of subs and negative tactics. These are decisions that could well end our title push.
Next up for LFC is an exciting trip to the Bernabeau and I bet my life on it you'll see a totally different Liverpool. Their hunger and drive for success would be greater and you can just hear everyone saying what a great manger he is but don't be fooled as its back to normal next Saturday with a visit to the Riverside sporting a team consisting of wholesale changes.
I for one hope that Rafa doesn't sign the new and improved contract thats on offer. We should cut our losses and get rid of him at the end of the season.There are a number of players that should follow him out of Anfield namely Lucas, Dossena, Babel, Ngog, Benoyoun, Voronin, Deggen, El Zhar, Pennant & Aurelio. These are players that have never lived up to expectations.
In the league this season Rafa's tactics were questioned. I know he is the one that got us to the top but in recent weeks he seemed to have no clue. Decisions that are ultimatley made by him came into question, team selection, subs, timing of subs and negative tactics. These are decisions that could well end our title push.
Next up for LFC is an exciting trip to the Bernabeau and I bet my life on it you'll see a totally different Liverpool. Their hunger and drive for success would be greater and you can just hear everyone saying what a great manger he is but don't be fooled as its back to normal next Saturday with a visit to the Riverside sporting a team consisting of wholesale changes.
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