It was a huge relieve to see the ball in the net just 1 min before the end of extra time. Yes, extra time! Can you believe it? And I thought we were going to walk all over them in Anfield!
For the 3rd consecutive time this season, we managed to nick the winner late in the game. It was too not the kind of games for the weak hearted. I was mentally preparing myself for penalties. Thank goodness we did not need to go that far. It was a fine cross from Babel to Kyut. The Dutch-connection.
It's also interesting to note that for the past 2 games, the style of play changed the moment Nabil El Zhar came on as a substitute. In the game against Boro, he came on for Arbeloa covering the right back position. It was his run down the right that resulted in Carragher's equaliser. Against Standard Liege, he came on for Keane. Kyut was moved to the central position behind Torres and El Zhar sat on the right flank. His impact was immediate. The referee should have given a penalty for an infringement on him in the box. What is undisputable is the fact that this 18 yr old Moroccan boy certainly has a lot of potential. I will like to see Rafa handing him a start against Villa this Sunday.
Earlier in the week, Rushie mentioned on the club website that it was important that we managed to win games even when we were playing badly. King Kenny, in Singapore this week, echoed the same comments in the local papers today. However, we will certainly need to improve our game if we are to get anything out of Villa Park this Sunday. Villa is surely one of the in-form teams at the moment. They have managed to score in the last 5 games and some high scoring games too. With Gerard out for 2 weeks due to a groin surgery, it will be Mascherano and Alonso running the engine room in the middle of the park. Unless Alonso hits form at the right time, too I foresee we'll lack connectivity between the back line and the forwards. Babel has been uninspiring since he returned from Beijing. One would expect him to be in good shape but he looked heavy and tired. Keane really needs to show the form he displayed at Spurs. I think he has been disappointing so far. I did mention before that he needs time to settle but it's almost 5 games since he started in a red shirt and we need to see more of him. For a player of his quality and experience in the league, I almost expected him hit the ground running.
The next 2 games will be challenging. Away to Villa on Sunday followed by the international break for the World Cup qualifiers and then Man U visits Anfield on 13 Sep. A big big game. Probably the most anticipated game in the season. It's never easy to play them after an international break (in fact, it's never easy to play any time!!) . Let's hope we stop this losing trend against them. Enough is enough. Surely, we must be able to beat them on our own turf!
Things are also looking fairly interesting in the Champions League group stages. Once again we meet PSV Eindhoven and Marseille. Athletico Madrid will prove to be a tricky team to play against. It will be not be stroll in the park but then again, we would fancy facing Liverpool in Europe? Afterall...................This Is Anfield.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Corners and Standard Liege
There is one area we need vast improvement. Corners.
During the Boro game, we had about 9 corners. It was shocking to see how each one of those corners ended up nowhere near the goal. Every single one was wasted and sometimes we even ended up losing possession. Shocking! What happened to those well rehearsed set pieces? Corners are useful places where goals can be scored....and easily too. This is provided the ball is whipped into the box with a lot more committment. We have Skrtel, Hypia, Torres and maybe even Carragher that can head the ball well. Or take the ball outside the box and we have Gerard and maybe even Alonso that can blast a stinger towards goal as well. But instead, our corners are all too predictable and perhaps even 'toothless'.
We need to rectify this problem soon.
Tomorrow, we face Standard Liege in Anfield. The first leg was forgettable. Liege is certainly a team to be wary of. They were quick, aggressive and sharp in the first leg. We were certainly far too complacent then and could have easily gone 2 goals down if not for some heroic defending by Reina. Having said that, the team will be boosted by our injury time win over Boro last weekend and the return of Mascherano and Leiva from the Olympics. The team will also be boosted by rumours of another possible addition before the transfer window closes. A spanish left winger from Espanyol. Rafa is certainly looking to bring more width to the team.
We are certainly looking more solid as a team after 4 seasons under Rafa. The spine of the team is settled. In goal, we have Reina. In defence, we have Carragher. In midfield, we have Gerard. In attack, we have Torres. We also have a good mix of experience and youth. Amongst us, we have Champions League winners, European Cup winners and Olympic medallists. There is hunger and desire. After 19 long years, the team knows it's time to deliver. After a good start in the league, it's time to start winning in style and show the world what Liverpool Football Club is all about.
I expect us to tear Liege apart. They will be playing in Anfield on a European night. And we all know too well how special European nights can be in this sacred ground.
During the Boro game, we had about 9 corners. It was shocking to see how each one of those corners ended up nowhere near the goal. Every single one was wasted and sometimes we even ended up losing possession. Shocking! What happened to those well rehearsed set pieces? Corners are useful places where goals can be scored....and easily too. This is provided the ball is whipped into the box with a lot more committment. We have Skrtel, Hypia, Torres and maybe even Carragher that can head the ball well. Or take the ball outside the box and we have Gerard and maybe even Alonso that can blast a stinger towards goal as well. But instead, our corners are all too predictable and perhaps even 'toothless'.
We need to rectify this problem soon.
Tomorrow, we face Standard Liege in Anfield. The first leg was forgettable. Liege is certainly a team to be wary of. They were quick, aggressive and sharp in the first leg. We were certainly far too complacent then and could have easily gone 2 goals down if not for some heroic defending by Reina. Having said that, the team will be boosted by our injury time win over Boro last weekend and the return of Mascherano and Leiva from the Olympics. The team will also be boosted by rumours of another possible addition before the transfer window closes. A spanish left winger from Espanyol. Rafa is certainly looking to bring more width to the team.
We are certainly looking more solid as a team after 4 seasons under Rafa. The spine of the team is settled. In goal, we have Reina. In defence, we have Carragher. In midfield, we have Gerard. In attack, we have Torres. We also have a good mix of experience and youth. Amongst us, we have Champions League winners, European Cup winners and Olympic medallists. There is hunger and desire. After 19 long years, the team knows it's time to deliver. After a good start in the league, it's time to start winning in style and show the world what Liverpool Football Club is all about.
I expect us to tear Liege apart. They will be playing in Anfield on a European night. And we all know too well how special European nights can be in this sacred ground.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
It doesn't matter how the 3 points were collected
2 Scousers saved the day for us. Just when the game seemed dead and buried, we got an equaliser from an unexpected source. Jamie Carragher.....2nd goal in 8 years. He doesn't score many but this one is surely valuable. Although it deflected off a Boro defender, Carragher will certainly claim it. And deep into injury time, a typical Gerard screamer just outside the penalty box sealed all 3 point for us. What a game! It was explosive down at the East of Anfield Fan club at Harry's. As usual, there were lots of singing and cheering after the game....I lost my voice again.
But the reality is that it was a terrible game in terms of the team's performance. We started the first 15mins brilliantly but it was always a challenge to sustain that kind of pace and passing. We fizzled out expectedly and allowed Boro to settle themselves into the game. There were a lot of possession still but we just couldn't find the break through.
Dossena was impressive down the left. Skrtel looked sharp. Torres seemed hungry for goals. However, Alonso, Gerard, Beanyoun and Keane could have done a lot better. I was impressed with Nabil El Zhar when he came on in the 83rd minute for Arbeloa, especially when he sliced through 2 defenders and sped down the right flank. Rafa should consider giving this boy a few more first team games. Babel seemed like he was still in Beijing. On the whole, we need to step up a few notches if we are to start beating the likes of Man U and Chelsea. Keane only had one moment of briliance when he beat 2 defenders in the box and slipped a beautiful through pass to Torres that almost resulted in a goal. We need Keane to be playing like this for 90mins. Once he finds his form and understanding with the team, we have with us one of the most lethal strike partnerships in the league.
But having said that, winning the league requires some element of luck as well. Like how we won our 5th European title 4 years ago. Chelsea were scrapping through 1-0 wins unspectacularly 3 seasons ago when they won they first league title in almost half a century. If we can dish out rubbish football and still win games, I feel this could be a sign. A sign that number 19th may finally be coming back home this season. I agree that we are not at our best at the moment but it's also important that we are collecting 3 points and maintaining our 100% winning record. All teams will inevitably drop points. On average, a top 4 team will drop between 15-20 points a season. It's impossible to score 105 points (over 35 games). If we can possibly hit 85-90 points come Apr-May 09, we will certainly be in for a title challenge. The key is to win all 3 points at home ,beat 80% of the other teams away from home, and ensure we win or draw games against Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal.
I have a feeling that there is a sense of purpose in the team this season. The focus seems to be more on the league this time round. Everyone is talking about consistency over the entire season, the need to keep pace with the leaders, making Anfield a fortress once again, beating the top 3 at home. If sustained, I am quietly confident we will be fighting for the title come May next year.
For now, let's just savour the joy of being at the top of the table....(at least till the rest of the games tonight).
But the reality is that it was a terrible game in terms of the team's performance. We started the first 15mins brilliantly but it was always a challenge to sustain that kind of pace and passing. We fizzled out expectedly and allowed Boro to settle themselves into the game. There were a lot of possession still but we just couldn't find the break through.
Dossena was impressive down the left. Skrtel looked sharp. Torres seemed hungry for goals. However, Alonso, Gerard, Beanyoun and Keane could have done a lot better. I was impressed with Nabil El Zhar when he came on in the 83rd minute for Arbeloa, especially when he sliced through 2 defenders and sped down the right flank. Rafa should consider giving this boy a few more first team games. Babel seemed like he was still in Beijing. On the whole, we need to step up a few notches if we are to start beating the likes of Man U and Chelsea. Keane only had one moment of briliance when he beat 2 defenders in the box and slipped a beautiful through pass to Torres that almost resulted in a goal. We need Keane to be playing like this for 90mins. Once he finds his form and understanding with the team, we have with us one of the most lethal strike partnerships in the league.
But having said that, winning the league requires some element of luck as well. Like how we won our 5th European title 4 years ago. Chelsea were scrapping through 1-0 wins unspectacularly 3 seasons ago when they won they first league title in almost half a century. If we can dish out rubbish football and still win games, I feel this could be a sign. A sign that number 19th may finally be coming back home this season. I agree that we are not at our best at the moment but it's also important that we are collecting 3 points and maintaining our 100% winning record. All teams will inevitably drop points. On average, a top 4 team will drop between 15-20 points a season. It's impossible to score 105 points (over 35 games). If we can possibly hit 85-90 points come Apr-May 09, we will certainly be in for a title challenge. The key is to win all 3 points at home ,beat 80% of the other teams away from home, and ensure we win or draw games against Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal.
I have a feeling that there is a sense of purpose in the team this season. The focus seems to be more on the league this time round. Everyone is talking about consistency over the entire season, the need to keep pace with the leaders, making Anfield a fortress once again, beating the top 3 at home. If sustained, I am quietly confident we will be fighting for the title come May next year.
For now, let's just savour the joy of being at the top of the table....(at least till the rest of the games tonight).
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
3 points is all that matters
I have read and heard many negative feedback about our team's performance last Saturday. I agree it was a terrible first half. The team is not enjoying their football at the moment.
I can think of a few reasons:
1) Gerard is not at his best cos' of his injury. With a fired up and fully fit Gerard, he can only lift the team's level of play higher.
2) Babel, Mascherano and Leiva were absent. With the Olympics final over by this weekend, we will have these 3 key players back for good. That can only be good news for us.
3) Keane and Torres needs more time to get that understanding between them. We simply can't expect Keane to walk right into the team and start banging in goals for fun. It will take time for him to settle. I just hope he scores his first goal sooner rather than later. Get that first goal in and I'm sure it will do him a lot of good in terms of confidence.
Credit must be given to the Black Cats. They have strengthened over the summer break. Furthermore, it's the first game of the season. Everyone was fired up to win it at home. In Rafa's 4 seasons in-charge, we have never started our first game at home. Getting the first win was important. I don't mind even if it was a fluke or own goal. 3 points was all that matters.
I have said this probably more than a hundred times - Consistency. We need to play at the same level week-in and week-out. We need to kill teams off with a certain kind of ruthlessness. We need to start with our strongest 11, wrap things up by half time and start resting key players the last 20mins. Not the other way around! Rafa needs to know his best 11. There is a lot of debate about the pros and cons of Rafa's rotation policy. I don't have a problem with that but I feel Rafa needs to re-think some of his tactical game-plans.
It's still early days. But in order to win the league, we need to start playing better soon. Real soon.....
I can think of a few reasons:
1) Gerard is not at his best cos' of his injury. With a fired up and fully fit Gerard, he can only lift the team's level of play higher.
2) Babel, Mascherano and Leiva were absent. With the Olympics final over by this weekend, we will have these 3 key players back for good. That can only be good news for us.
3) Keane and Torres needs more time to get that understanding between them. We simply can't expect Keane to walk right into the team and start banging in goals for fun. It will take time for him to settle. I just hope he scores his first goal sooner rather than later. Get that first goal in and I'm sure it will do him a lot of good in terms of confidence.
Credit must be given to the Black Cats. They have strengthened over the summer break. Furthermore, it's the first game of the season. Everyone was fired up to win it at home. In Rafa's 4 seasons in-charge, we have never started our first game at home. Getting the first win was important. I don't mind even if it was a fluke or own goal. 3 points was all that matters.
I have said this probably more than a hundred times - Consistency. We need to play at the same level week-in and week-out. We need to kill teams off with a certain kind of ruthlessness. We need to start with our strongest 11, wrap things up by half time and start resting key players the last 20mins. Not the other way around! Rafa needs to know his best 11. There is a lot of debate about the pros and cons of Rafa's rotation policy. I don't have a problem with that but I feel Rafa needs to re-think some of his tactical game-plans.
It's still early days. But in order to win the league, we need to start playing better soon. Real soon.....
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Champions League Qualifier - 14 Aug
Game: Standard Liege vs Liverpool
This being our first competitive game of the season, I was not entirely surprised by the team's performance for a few reasons.
Firstly, it was an away game in Europe. It will be foolish to think we can walk all over our opponents on their own turf. Credit must be given to this Belgium outfit as they played with a lot of heart and courage. They did not seem intimidated by our reputation and could have easily gone 2-0 at half time. They were aggressive and quick. To make matters worse, we had our worst game all pre-season. We lacked ideas, lost the 2nd ball consistently and could not hold possession in order to control the game.
Secondly, it was not exactly Rafa's preferred starting XI. Babel, Mascherano and Leiva were all away in Beijing for the Olympic games. Gerard was even forced to start despite having just recovered from an injury.
Thirdly, the Keane-Torres partnership has not settled yet. To be honest, Keane looked a little out of sorts. I have been watching him closely since he started and I am a little worried. I really hope he will step up soon and the promise of this partnership being the most lethal in the BPL eventually comes true.
It is still early days. We still have Sunderland to face before the return leg. I feel the team is not at its best shape to start the season. We need everyone fit and playing well. Too early to make any judgements. We will have a better idea after 10 games. Let's hope there will only be good things to say then.....
This being our first competitive game of the season, I was not entirely surprised by the team's performance for a few reasons.
Firstly, it was an away game in Europe. It will be foolish to think we can walk all over our opponents on their own turf. Credit must be given to this Belgium outfit as they played with a lot of heart and courage. They did not seem intimidated by our reputation and could have easily gone 2-0 at half time. They were aggressive and quick. To make matters worse, we had our worst game all pre-season. We lacked ideas, lost the 2nd ball consistently and could not hold possession in order to control the game.
Secondly, it was not exactly Rafa's preferred starting XI. Babel, Mascherano and Leiva were all away in Beijing for the Olympic games. Gerard was even forced to start despite having just recovered from an injury.
Thirdly, the Keane-Torres partnership has not settled yet. To be honest, Keane looked a little out of sorts. I have been watching him closely since he started and I am a little worried. I really hope he will step up soon and the promise of this partnership being the most lethal in the BPL eventually comes true.
It is still early days. We still have Sunderland to face before the return leg. I feel the team is not at its best shape to start the season. We need everyone fit and playing well. Too early to make any judgements. We will have a better idea after 10 games. Let's hope there will only be good things to say then.....
Monday, August 4, 2008
Pre-2008/8009 Season
It's the time of the year when I am starting to feel impatient again. 16th Aug can't come any faster. Thanks to Euro 2008, at least I was not starved of football action for a prolonged period of time. 3 months of no football is totally unacceptable.
Before the season kicksoff in 2 weeks time, Liverpool made various acqusitions that will certainly fill me with hope once again....(since when have I not felt hopeful at the beginning of each seson?). Will this finally be THE season we have all been waiting for...after 19 long painful years?
I must say the aquisition of Robbie Keane from Spurs thrilled me. It's always been a joy to see a true Liverpool fan play for the club. What a dream! Robbie's committment and desire to excel cannot be questioned. He is a proven EPL player, settled and, at 28, will prove to be an important signing. A year ago, we signed a Ferando Torres for a club transfer record fee. This year, we signed Robbie for 20.3mil pounds. Both players surpassed the 20-goal mark last season, with Torres setting a new goal record in a debut season by a new foreign player in the league. Robbie started the game against Rangers last Saturday. It was the first time he partnered Torres. There were glimpses of brillance and good movement between the both of them. With Gerard, Babel, Benayoun and Kyut, we have 6 players with an attacking mentality and superior game intelligence. That can be a significant difference from last season. It will be Babel's 2nd season and should he step up one level, we have in our hands another potent player. Benayoun looks extremely lively on Saturday. Kyut seemed re-charged. Gerard will need to step up a few notches and we will have one of the most potent front lines and midfield in the league. Move aside Mr Scolari and Sir Fergie! It's the Red Army marching in.....
With the purchase of italian Andrea Dossena from Udinese and a free transfer of swiss defender Philipp Degen from Basel, our back line will be boosted tremendously. These are 2 players that have a good attacking mentality. Their overlapping runs down the flanks will provide a more offensive look to the team. I must admit I have been impressed by Dossena's performance last Saturday. It was a good thing Riise was off-loaded to Roma in the summer. I was so happy I had to celebrate his departure.
Another young striker in 19 year old french David Ngog signed from Paris-Saint Germain, will provide the attacking backup for Torres and Robbie. This boy is one of the brightest young talents in french football. His first goal for the club against Rangers last Saturday was full of quality. He looks big and strong, the kind of player to survive in the EPL. I am sure he can only improve at an accelerated pace understudying Torres and Robbie. With Gareth Barry's deal back on the table with Aston Villa, we are looking at one more quality buy in the middle of the park. Barry's signing will prove to be useful. He has a tremendous partnership with Gerard. Both of them started playing together since the U-21 days and were together when they both made their International debut into Kevin Keagan's England team for Euro 2000. They will play well together as they have been good mates with each other for more than 10 years now. There is a great understanding between them.
The possible arrival of Barry will probably signal the departure of one more player. Alonso's move to Juventus was halted at the eleventh-hour. I am sure Alonso will either be benched or sold soon to make way for Barry should Villa agree to the offer price. The departure of Crouch saddened me though. I have always liked that fella. He has great qualities and a good attitude. Unfortunately, the lure of first team football was simply too much to resist and he had to go. We wish him well and hopefully he doesn't score against us at all in the coming seasons.
Overall. the shape of the team is looking good. We will have to live without Mascherano, Lucas and Babel for the start of the season due to their participation in the Olympic U-23 competition.
I am sure we will be more than prepared to cope without them. The quality of the passing during last Saturday's game was a sign that pre-season preparations are progressing right on track. The team looked really good pouring forward.
I have confidence that we will bring back at least one cup in the new season. Hopefully it's the one we have been waiting for.............after 19 long and painful years.
Come on you Reds....
Liverpool is my religion,
Torres my God.
You'll Never Walk Alone is my hymn,
and Anfield my place of worship.
Before the season kicksoff in 2 weeks time, Liverpool made various acqusitions that will certainly fill me with hope once again....(since when have I not felt hopeful at the beginning of each seson?). Will this finally be THE season we have all been waiting for...after 19 long painful years?
I must say the aquisition of Robbie Keane from Spurs thrilled me. It's always been a joy to see a true Liverpool fan play for the club. What a dream! Robbie's committment and desire to excel cannot be questioned. He is a proven EPL player, settled and, at 28, will prove to be an important signing. A year ago, we signed a Ferando Torres for a club transfer record fee. This year, we signed Robbie for 20.3mil pounds. Both players surpassed the 20-goal mark last season, with Torres setting a new goal record in a debut season by a new foreign player in the league. Robbie started the game against Rangers last Saturday. It was the first time he partnered Torres. There were glimpses of brillance and good movement between the both of them. With Gerard, Babel, Benayoun and Kyut, we have 6 players with an attacking mentality and superior game intelligence. That can be a significant difference from last season. It will be Babel's 2nd season and should he step up one level, we have in our hands another potent player. Benayoun looks extremely lively on Saturday. Kyut seemed re-charged. Gerard will need to step up a few notches and we will have one of the most potent front lines and midfield in the league. Move aside Mr Scolari and Sir Fergie! It's the Red Army marching in.....
With the purchase of italian Andrea Dossena from Udinese and a free transfer of swiss defender Philipp Degen from Basel, our back line will be boosted tremendously. These are 2 players that have a good attacking mentality. Their overlapping runs down the flanks will provide a more offensive look to the team. I must admit I have been impressed by Dossena's performance last Saturday. It was a good thing Riise was off-loaded to Roma in the summer. I was so happy I had to celebrate his departure.
Another young striker in 19 year old french David Ngog signed from Paris-Saint Germain, will provide the attacking backup for Torres and Robbie. This boy is one of the brightest young talents in french football. His first goal for the club against Rangers last Saturday was full of quality. He looks big and strong, the kind of player to survive in the EPL. I am sure he can only improve at an accelerated pace understudying Torres and Robbie. With Gareth Barry's deal back on the table with Aston Villa, we are looking at one more quality buy in the middle of the park. Barry's signing will prove to be useful. He has a tremendous partnership with Gerard. Both of them started playing together since the U-21 days and were together when they both made their International debut into Kevin Keagan's England team for Euro 2000. They will play well together as they have been good mates with each other for more than 10 years now. There is a great understanding between them.
The possible arrival of Barry will probably signal the departure of one more player. Alonso's move to Juventus was halted at the eleventh-hour. I am sure Alonso will either be benched or sold soon to make way for Barry should Villa agree to the offer price. The departure of Crouch saddened me though. I have always liked that fella. He has great qualities and a good attitude. Unfortunately, the lure of first team football was simply too much to resist and he had to go. We wish him well and hopefully he doesn't score against us at all in the coming seasons.
Overall. the shape of the team is looking good. We will have to live without Mascherano, Lucas and Babel for the start of the season due to their participation in the Olympic U-23 competition.
I am sure we will be more than prepared to cope without them. The quality of the passing during last Saturday's game was a sign that pre-season preparations are progressing right on track. The team looked really good pouring forward.
I have confidence that we will bring back at least one cup in the new season. Hopefully it's the one we have been waiting for.............after 19 long and painful years.
Come on you Reds....
Liverpool is my religion,
Torres my God.
You'll Never Walk Alone is my hymn,
and Anfield my place of worship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
