Everton vs Liverpool - 27 Sep

It was perhaps our best performance so far.....especially in the second half. We totally dominated the game and made the Blue Boys look like School Boys (hey, it rhymes!!). I always say that games like these are full of action and controversy. Very often these controversies come in the form of yellows and one or two reds. It's no exception this time around. I am just glad the red was shown to a Blue boy and of all people, Tim Cahill. I knew the 3 points were in the bag the moment Cahill was banished into the showers early.

I mut say it was pure joy to see Keane set up that beautiful strike for Torres. After a goal drought over the last 6 games, it was sweet to see our top striker hitting the target - twice. The only thing remaining is for Keane to find the net soon. Once that happens, the flood gates will open for sure.

In the middle of the park, Gerard put in one of his most mature and professionl performances in a derby game. He was boosing the midfield and, together with Alonso, nullified Everton's control of the game. Kyut was as usual working his socks off though I hope he improves the quality of his crosses soon. On the left, Reira is slowly impressing me more. He has the ability to take on defenders and provide that attacking edge down the left. Back in defence, Skrtel's performance and the clean sheets are keeping Agger away from the starting line-up. Agger's goal in midweek during the Carling cup game did not earn him an automatic recall into the starting XI. Skrtel has been excellent thus far.

It's still number 2 in the table, behind Chelsea on goal difference. We need to take each game at a time but performances like these will only raise our hopes that Number 19th may finally be coming home this season.

2 points dropped against Stoke City will not cost us the title

I have decided to paste Paul Tomkin's latest article here. I totally agree with whatever he said below. Drawing against a newly promoted team that packs its defence is not a disaster. I believe we will bounce back after this draw to register bigger wins.......We just need to keep believing.
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I attempt to read all emails, even though I can't reply to them all. After poor results I get a mixture of messages: those from people who appreciate my attempts to find light in the dark (and who, such as this weekend, request a dose of positivity served in a glass half full), and those from people who offer a suggestion as to what I can go do with myself, sometimes with precise details as to the how and where. I don't like to dwell upon a bad result. Upon medical advice I am aiming to lessen my workload over the coming months (not easy with a book just released and the season so quickly in full emotional flow), but while a result like beating United can see me happily steer clear of the laptop and just savour the memory, the over reaction to two points dropped at home to a promoted side can spur me into action. When I read that the Reds definitely cannot win the title after one bad result, I despair. Just as beating Manchester United didn't make Liverpool a certainty to win it, one draw at home to a promoted side does not mean the opposite is now true. What I abhor most about modern football support is this constant swing from one extreme to another. Anything is still possible, be it bad or good. Unbeaten in eight, only three goals conceded - each time leading to a victory after being behind - and a mere point off the Premier League pace. The big picture seems fine to me. I still don't fully understand the emails I receive that treat me as if I am the person to blame, but I guess venting spleen is an important desire for many upset fans, and as someone who very much believes in the current manager, I'm an obvious target. After all, we all feel helpless in the support of our team. We'd love to be able to directly influence the game, but that's just impossible. And we all get wise after the event. Had Stoke scored from a long throw, then it would have been a mistake to not play Hyypia. Had it been from central midfield, it would have been due to leaving out Mascherano. As it was, it was an attacking line-up from Benitez, with two strikers, one winger and another striker-cum-wideman, and the two most creative central midfielders at the club. And Liverpool did all the attacking. They just drew a blank. Galling as it is, it happens. Drawing 0-0 at home to Stoke is clearly a bad result. Of course, the referee did not help matters; what the home team desperately needs in parked-bus games is that first goal. It's not an excuse, just a fact of life. If you score legitimately after 67 seconds, you can relax, and the opposition has to change tact. Let's be clear: brilliant, free-flowing football is virtually impossible in game like this - at least until that first goal goes in. It's hard to pass around a team that sets up like part-timers Andorra did against England; except Stoke are not non-league standard. And while the result wasn't as hoped, Liverpool did pretty much everything text-book against a packed defence. There may have seemed like too many long distance efforts, but then Liverpool have already beaten 'Boro, Sunderland and Marseilles thanks to shots from outside the area. It can be a way past a massed defence if there is little space to work the ball, but Liverpool also went wide, tried intricate pass-and-moves, and created good chances close to goal as well. I don't blame Stoke at all; they came with a game plan, just as Liverpool used to go to places like Barcelona under Gerard Houllier and park the bus. The referee allowed it to work this weekend due to his bizarre early decision, and the Reds failed to take their chances. All credit to the Potters. There are obviously parallels with last season, particularly the 0-0s at Portsmouth and Birmingham at the same stage (not to mention an illogical refereeing mistake at Anfield that cost the Reds two points). Like then, the first 0-0 - this time at Villa Park - was actually a decent result. Last season Benitez was blamed for resting Torres and Gerrard; this year he has done no such thing (although he was without them in the win against United), which goes to show that sometimes bad things happen to good teams, no matter who features in the line-up. The difference this season is that Liverpool have already beaten a title favourite. I kept hearing for four seasons that the other big three are the teams you need to beat to win the title. At the same time, I still keep hearing that every single other team is the kind of team you need to beat to win the title. But you can't win 'em all. All champions have a handful of bad results over the course of a season. No title is ever lost because of one slip-up in September. However, every bad result clearly lessens the margin for error. You can always carry a few setbacks, like United did when drawing at home to Reading early last season (amid other bad results in a poor start), but each one means one fewer 'get out of jail free' card. So it's not something to be blase about. It can prove costly, but only in a cumulative fashion. While drawing with Stoke seems to negate all the good work against United, the fact remains that beating the current champions not only gave the Reds three points, but denied Ferguson's men their own. Beating Stoke and drawing with United might seem a far more respectable way to get four points, but this way around is actually better, as United, who've already dropped points at home to 19th-placed Newcastle, remain worse off, and that's an important difference. (Unless it's Stoke who end up challenging for the title) Again, it should have been six points, but these blips happen. For me, the main problem this season has been the fitness, sharpness and confidence of the two strikers. And there's not a lot a manager can do to change that, apart from keep faith and have patience. To my mind Rafa was right to buy Robbie Keane, who is a quality striker, but there was no guarantee of an instant windfall. Torres was late back from Euro 2008, then suffered a hamstring strain. He's not found his full acceleration, and perhaps he's feeling the pressure a little after the raised expectations after a quite incredible 12 months. He has looked a little tentative when running, and it might be a week or two before we see him feel comfortable enough to use his explosive pace. As a quick striker in my playing days (with only marginally less ability than Torres), I suffered with hamstring problems. They do play on your mind; it's a horrible feeling when one pings at full-pelt. Even when it's healed, the psychological scars linger a little longer. You need to feel able to trust your body. I still feel Torres will have an excellent season. He doesn't need to score as many goals overall, just pull a rabbit out of the hat like he did at Sunderland, and of course, in the Euro 2008 final. Less goals but more 'winners' would be great. Robbie Keane, meanwhile, seems overanxious, which is natural for any new striker with a big price tag searching out his first goal. Peter Crouch took 19 games to break his duck, but after that his scoring record was pretty good. Keane's two main efforts against Stoke were deft attempts, but a confident striker feels more able to aim for the corners; when the goals aren't flowing, you tend to concentrate on just hitting the target. When I started out as a semi-pro I couldn't buy a goal (I was refused credit at Goals'R'Us). But once the first went in, my whole game went from abysmal to what I would call my 'personal best' (to some observers, that was only a fraction better than abysmal, but that's semantics...). It's hard to explain how different you become as a footballer once you find your confidence. And trying too hard really is a curse. You need work-rate, but a relaxed mind. Albert Riera seems to have settled much more quickly. For a tricky winger, his passing is superb. He looks a bargain, and Andrea Dossena, who has come in for some unnecessary criticism on a couple of occasions, will help offer a new dimension on that flank. Another major plus is that Liverpool are defending set-pieces far better this season. The zonal marking system improved upon the arrival of Mauricio Pellegrino as a player in 2005, and he seems to have tweaked things again; particularly important with players like Crouch, Sissoko and Riise replaced by smaller alternatives. Liverpool have played some very tall sides this season, but rarely been worried (touch wood). But the Reds still need to score more from their own corners. As has been noted, Liverpool have rode their luck at times this season, but it ran out at the weekend. The Manchester United victory showed how good this team can be, and despite the up-and-down nature of the performances, the Reds are brilliantly placed in both the league and in Europe. It could be better still, but every team can say that, including Arsenal, who lost at Fulham. As it stands, six points ahead of United and level on points with Chelsea, in addition to an away win in Marseilles, is something we'd have all taken if offered it in August. Amidst the gloom of a missed opportunity, it's important to not lose sight of that fact.
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We finally did it!!!! Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United

What a game!! I told my friends before kick-off that I had a hunch we will finally win against Manchester United. I read in a report before the game that the last time Liverpool went on an 8 game losing streak against Man United, we won 1-0 at the 9th game. It was the 9th game last night. And we won by a one goal margin. History repeated itself.

To make the victory sweeter, we did not even start with our bext XI. Torres and Gerard was on the bench at kick-off. Most of our players are not at their best yet. Although our form hasn't been great, we remained unbeaten thus far. 3 games 9 points. What more can we ask for??

Some sore loser commented that our revival was helped by an own goal but who cares? We will take that any time. 3 points is all that matters. A win against a team like Man United can only serve to boost the players' confidence from now on.

Both Mascherano and Alonso were bossing the midfield magnificently. They made Carrick and Scholes looked ordinary. Although they scored the first goal, we were the better team for most of the game. Berbatov is a great player but we showed the world how collective determination and hunger for a win, will tilt the game in our favour. Skrtel and Carragher were out standing in defence. Albert Reira, our new spanish winger who made his debut, looked promising down the left flank. It's not always easy to be thrown into a game like this especially if it's a debut. I thought he did really well. Even without the full team, we played like champions. Last night's game was by far our best game of the season.

I must say something about Robbie Keane. Although I mentioned in my previous blogs that he must be given time to settle, I must say that he has been looking very ordinary thus far. I am beginning to agree with most people that he is probably not worth the 20million pounds the club paid for him. Agiainst Man United, his positioning was way off, his first touch was shocking and his passing can be totally rubbish at times. I just hope we did not make the wrong decision to sign him. He really needs to start playing better and scoring goals.

Whatever it is, a win is a win. Who cares if the equaliser came from an own goal? To win the league, we need to grind out results and learn to win ugly. If we keep doing this, I am sure the number 19th league title will finally be coming home.

It's time we beat the mancs

I am beginning to feel the nerves prior to kickoff this evening. Undoubtedly, this is the biggest game of the season so far.

We need to beat Man United badly.....I am not sure how I'll feel if we lose again. It's been 8 games in a row. The last time we lost 8 games to them, Liverpool bounced back with a 1-0 win at the 9th game. Will history repeat itself?

I really hope so.

Liverpool vs Man U - It's not a good time to play the scums

13 Sep 08 (Saturday)......it's Joelle's birthday. Kick-off time will be about the same time Joelle was born 5 years ago. I hope my daughter will bring the team luck this time.

We have lost 7 (maybe even 8) times to the scums consecutively and our head-to-head record against them is not exactly the kind of statistc you will want to look at in the buildup to the game. Obviously, I approach this game with a lot of apprehension. If what I am reading so far is true, we will not have Gerard and maybe even Torres. Keane does not look like he will score anytime soon and David Ngog is certainly too raw to be playing in a huge game like this. That means we will most likely have no striker. Babel is not on form yet and Kyut is not the kind of player known for his clinical finishing. The only thing looking up for us is our defence. Carragher and Skrtel is looking settled and solid. Reina is playing well at the moment.

We need to win this game badly if we are to challenge for the title this season. We need 3 points. More importantly, it's the pride. Where are we going to hide our face if we lose to these bunch of scums again?

At the moment, it certainly looks like we will need a miracle for any positive result.

Let's start praying for that miracle.

Heroes and Villans

With Spurs holding Chelski to a draw at Stamford Bridge, the stage was set for a Liverpool away win at Villa Park and top the table before the international break. The Gareth Barry saga in summer meant it was not going to be an easy afternoon for Rafa's boys. The fact that Torres limped off in the first half with a hamstring injury did not help matters either. We were already missing our skipper from a groin injury.

I was hopeful perhaps that was the perfect opportunity for Keane to steal the show and finally score his first goal for the club. He was presented with a great opportunity in the second half. With only the goalkeeper to beat, running into the penalty box with 2 defenders chasing him. What did he do? He blasted that ball well above the horizontal. What the %$#!?? I was shocked! That was not the Robbie Keane I saw at White Hart Lane! What kind of a 20 million pound striker did we buy? I have been patient and, even when people were criticising Keane only after his second game for the club, I said time was needed for him to settle. The goals will come.....though I hope it will be sooner rather than later. But to screw up that wonderful opportunity in front of goal was simply unacceptable. Prior to that, we had Kyut missing another opportunity by blasting the ball into the side netting. I mentioned last season that we needed to be more clinical in front of goal. Against top teams like Manchester United and Chelski, chances will be far and few. But when a chance to strike presents itself, we need to make it count. If we keep missing opportunities like these, we will once again find ourselves 1 or 2 goals down before we even know what hit us. Look at the Super Cup game between Man U and Zenith last Sat morning. The Russians were already 2 goals up by half time. Man U was controlling the game, passing the ball around, teasing the Russians with their possession and trying to find a way to penetrate and, when they did, it was wasted with some slack passing or inaccurate shooting. On the contrary, the Russians had far less possession and only 2 clear chances at goal. They scored twice and won the Super Cup.

David Ngog looked sharp and willing when he came on for Torres. However, he could not sustain that brilliance and eventually faded away in the second half. Rafa brought in Audrelio for Keane. That move stunned me. Perhaps it was a tactical substitution but I could not see where the tactical wisdom was. In fact, I hardly even saw Aurelio touch the ball! I have always thought that at 0-0 in the second half away from home, against an opponent struggling to break us down, we should have brought on a match winner and steal all 3 points. Aurelio is not a match winner. Babel is. And why was he sitting on the bench? Agree that he didn't look 100% fit after the Olympics but with 20 mins to go, there must obviously be a better substitute than Aurelio. What about bringing in Nabil El Zhar on the right and Benayoun on the left? Why Aurelio? As far as I am concerned, the so-called "samba" boys in our team (the other one is Lucas Leiva) should be re-named the "sambal" boys. They are brazilians but not the same kind that will dazzle with their fancy footwork and trickery on the pitch.

Ok, ok.....maybe I am a little frustrated by the overall performance and the fact that we could be facing Man U next Sat without Torres and Gerard. Maybe I lost it a little this morning.......but I have to say that I have always stood by the team and kept my faith in them even when they dish out rubbish on the pitch. After losing to Man U for the past xx (I don't even wanna remember how many) consecutive games, I cannot bear to see another one. The last away game against them was a nightmare. I almost threw up after the 3rd goal was conceded. We lost the last 2 home games against them by a 1 goal margin and both goals came from a corner. I don't expect us to win but a good performance will certainly be appreciated.

Perhaps this international break is a blessing in disguise for us. We have 2 weeks to get Gerard and Torres fit. Let's pray something miraculous happens on the 13 Sep (it's my daughter's birthday afterall)......we need 3 points against one of our fiercest rivals. If we manage to do that, it will surely boost our confidence for the rest of the season.

Come on you Reds.....