My Anfield: August 2008

Archives for August 2008

August 31, 2008

Disappointing but not the end of the world

Watching Liverpool set up stall for a draw against Aston Villa was very disappointing. With the quality we've got in the squad (should be enough to cover the loss of Torres & Gerrard), I had hoped for a lot more ambition from Rafa and the lads.

Playing a 4-1-4-1 formation with Keane as a left winger didn't seem like a smart move, and the problem was compounded by bringing on Ngog to play the lone striker role. I would've thought Babel a better option in that role or maybe on the left wing, then allowing Keane to play centrally.

Points wise, we're no worse off than Chelsea or Manchester United. But I feel we missed a chance to go a couple of points ahead of them as Villa were there for the taking today. It's not a great result, and despite the lack of attacking creativity, the performance was still an improvement on what we've been seeing recently.

August 29, 2008

Former stomping grounds for Torres & Luis Garcia

We've been landed with a tough Champions League group, no question about it. Assuming we find our form in a few weeks, we should be able to turn over the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Atletico Madrid. Of the 3, Atletico Madrid pose the most obvious and interesting threat.

I'm sure Luis Garcia will be well received by the Anfield faithful. He was certainly something of an enigma, capable of moments of sheer genius. I'm not sure which is my favourite memory of the lad. It's either THAT goal against Chelsea or his touching letter to LFC fans when he left (link).

But I wonder what must have been going through Torres mind as the draw unfolded. He has been a die hard Atletico fan all his life. Does this represent a possible conflict of interest for him ? Well I should bloody well hope not !

August 28, 2008

No sex for Gerrard for 2 weeks

I'm sure Gerrard must be secretly gutted at the prospect of going without sex for a couple of weeks, but it's an option I hope he goes for. It was no big secret that he was carrying a minor groin injury but LFC have now announced that it will have to be operated on later today. This means he'll be out for about 10-15 days.

Well Stevie G, you say you want the Premier League badly, in fact more than anything. If that's the case, then I hope you choose the quick recovery option. Remember they said it would be 10-15 days, and guess what you can do (well, ok, not do) to help expedite that recovery ?

In 17 days time, we've got a huge game with our best friends who go by the name of Manchester United. Hope to see you on the pitch and in form for that one. I'm sure the missus will understand if it means you get to lift number 19 this season.

August 26, 2008

The final piece of the jigsaw puzzle is coming....

....well maybe not just yet, but the nerves which had been building over the weekend with the transfer window rapidly closing have now subsided. Terms have been agreed with Espanyol for the highly talented left winger Albert Riera.

He possesses a vast array of skills on the ball and is quite an exciting player to watch (at times). His prior Premiership experience should count him in good stead when it comes to adapting to life with Liverpool.

Given that he has been stating for a while now that he would only consider signing for Liverpool, I think his agreeing personal terms is pretty much a foregone conclusion. Fingers crossed his medical is also a matter of mere formality, that way he'll be our player within a few days.

August 23, 2008

It's not supposed to be this way

Things like this aren't supposed to happen for Liverpool. Are we deserving these stolen points we're getting ? Probably not, but our streak of playing crap football and winning continues unabated. And who are the unlikely heroes in all this ? Surely not most of the players who put in an inept performance against Middlesbrough.

Believe it or not, but Carragher actually scored a goal (well, it took a vicious deflection). Also despite having a very quiet game, it was Gerrard who produced a stunning goal in the dying seconds to secure us 3 more points.

It's a good thing if we can get into the habit of winning when off form. But I'm dying to see us playing free flowing beautiful football. It's what I dream about. Although I'd much prefer to see it than to dream it.

Respect for what Hyypia has achieved

The stalwart that is Sami Hyypia has been an amazing player for Liverpool over the years, his attitude, commitment and consistency have been phenomenal in that in spans what is soon to be a decade at LFC.

Despite his 'old age' and that he's possibly in his last season as a player, it emerged recently that Stoke City had offered £2.5 million to sign him. Thankfully Rafa decided not to cash him out, which goes to show how highly he rates him. Hopefully Hyypia will finish off his career with us and perhaps enter a coaching role with us after that.

Third time lucky for Craig Lindfield

A couple of years ago, the Reds starlet had many of us dreaming we'd found the next home grown talent capable of breaking through to the first team. Playing alongside his hero (Fowler), he scored on his Liverpool debut at just 17 years of age.

Last season he had 2 loan spells and scored a stunning volley on his debut for Notts County, sadly both loan spells were cut short because the clubs couldn't afford his wages. This season sees him go on loan with AFC Bournemouth to gain some experience in League One [EDIT: minor typo (read: f**k up), it's really League Two].

With the emergence of Bruna, Pacheco and now Ngog, I wonder if Lindfield will ever make the breakthrough to the first team.

August 21, 2008

Most wanted: Cool nickname for Liverpool

When you think about it, scousers are pretty cool and ingenius people, especially when it comes to creating new songs etc. But what about nicknames for LFC. The Reds is such a common nickname. In fact, it's so common that loads of other teams worldwide (from girl scouts to football clubs) use that also.

The Pool is another nickname for LFC, but crikey I can't remember the last time I heard us referred to as that. As for the Spice Boys in '96, well lets just forget about that bad episode. Some people might suggest that nicknames are merely childish creations, but hey, who cares ;-)

Rather than share our nickname with loads of other teams, why not have a cool and unique one just for ourselves, any ideas ?

August 17, 2008

Poor form is only temporary, class is permanent

I can't wait for the return of Babel, Mascherano, Lucas and ideally another signing [winger] to help liven things up. Against Sunderland, we had yet another poor performance. Fortunately Torres treated us to a moment of brilliance to rescue us a vital 3 points away from home.

With Plessis starting in place of Alonso, it looked like recent reports of Alonso requesting to leave LFC were true. Thankfully Rafa introduced him in the second half which made a huge difference to how we played.

While Keane has yet to make an impact, I'm confident he'll come good in time. As for Dossena he already looks like he will settle very quickly.

Last season we were dropping points in games like today, hopefully this season with a little luck (or genius) we can turn those draws into wins. But the important thing now is that we're off to a winning start in the Premier League.

August 13, 2008

Awful performance but it's no big deal

Granted it was a truly awful performance from the lads but there's no need to lose any sleep over it. Standard Liege, despite fielding a few kids were clearly up for what was likely their biggest match of the season. No doubt in a couple of weeks we should beat them at home though.

With Alonso now cup tied it's unlikely we'll sell him this year so hopefully Rafa will invest in a much needed (and desired) winger now instead of Gareth Barry. Chelsea and Manchester United are very strong and if we're to mount a realistic title challenge, it's best we get off to a flying start in the Premier League. The lads will have to perform considerably better on Saturday against Sunderland away, or we'll end up dropping some much needed points.

August 09, 2008

Chanting, applauding and inappropriate booing

There was some real stand out moments in the match against Lazio. It's all good and well for fans to make their feelings known and with Alonso there can be no doubt they want him to stay. His name was chanted loudly and often, his every touch, pass, free kick and corner was applauded. Which is fair enough.

But then there was some truly shameful behaviour with some people chanting "you can stick Gareth Barry up your a**e". WTF ? It's not like Barry has done anything wrong, it's Aston Villa who are trying to rob us blind with their valuation. What happens if we do sign him, are those same fans going to boo his every touch ?

August 05, 2008

The unthinkable has happened with Skrtel

I'd think it a pure wind up if I hadn't heard direct from the official LFC site but our Teenage Mutant Ninja Skrtel is not indestructable after all. I mean the guy is probably the only one capable of making Chuck Norris cry !?!

Surely it must have been a sex session of truly epic proportions last night that caused his groin injury. He's not expected to be out for too long, still you gotta feel sorry for the injury itself...

Loan could be good for Leto [and us]

I'm not sure what all the recent fuss was over Leto having his work permit turned down. He may have looked good playing for the reserves but was terrible whenever he played for the first team last season. With regards to our up and coming youth talent, he doesn't stand out in the way that Insua, Pacheco and Nemeth do.

Fortunately for him [and possibly us], he has just secured a 2 year loan deal with Olympiakos. Regardless of whether he ends up making it as a Liverpool player, the move should at least give him lots of experience and raise his transfer value should Rafa decide to sell him further down the line.