1st

Great Blog Gerry and spot on with everything. The only worry I have is , yes Barry would be a good addition, but would he be happy to be back up to Alonso and Masch, especially in a world cup year? Yes he is versatile and yes he is English another big plus but with our limited budget, fine if we have more funds available, but the wide versatile striker and a right back has to be a priority, not another left midfielder.

I would settle for a right back, Silva and Barry

Nice sentiments Gerry.

It’s all over, but I’m happy enough with our season. At the start of the season, I’d have bitten your hand off for this result. The progress, which is necessary, is trundling on. And, I for 1, can’t wait for the new season to begin.

As for new signings, This will be the first time Rafa has more of a say in proceedings, so it’ll be interesting to see where he starts.
I can see it progressing like last season, lots of behind doors negotiations and surprises.

I won’t believe any media shite, until it’s confirmed by the club.

We need 3 new players this summer to win title. A right back – Johnson or Richards, who can also cover centre back. Midfield cover – Barry being the best option in my opinion. An attacking forward, who can play either side of Gerrard in our preferred formation but can also play the lone striker role. Tevez, I think, would fill this role perfectly plus it would annoy old red nose. The added bonus would be more English players in the squad.

Super stuff Gerry.

I`m with you on Barry.He would be an exellent addition.He would bring strength in depth to the squad and is versitile.Like i said before i don`t think he was worth 18 million last year but i reckon we could pinch him for around 9 million Gerry.

Add silva and johnson and we`re in business!

I trust Rafa will get it right anyway.

Well said gerry,made for nice reading that. Thats a good point about barry i hadn’t looked at it that way with reguards to him getting around the same amount of games for us,add to that champions league footy it really is a no brainer.

I actually was able to look through the papers today and not get annoyed at all the cock-sucking man u love in going on because like the rest i’m feeling really good about next season. Although one article really wound me up but it was such as rag paper and idiotic report just closed it over an moved on.

looks like we are going to sell paul anderson to swansea on a permanent deal…i regret this, i thought he had the pace and ability to make it in the prem, and he was a homegrown lad. oh well, we’ll see what happens.

Great blog that Gerry, really enjiyed reading it. It puts our “Newspapers” to shame, but thankfully people are realising how full of shite they are and it’s really great to see that most reds are now reading off the same page.

In fact, I haven’t came across one person who is pissed off with the result this season or doesn’t realise we are heading in the right direction. I also agree on Barry, he would be a great addition to the squad, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafa has moved on.

I’ll leave the speculating alone and just say, I reckon Rafa will get it right. And here’s a thing I really want to say about the boss… wasn’t it great the way he refused to congratulate the tramp and even went for him again the other day?

Rafa the fucking terminator. The little fat bastard, I love him. He just won’t pack in. He’s on a mission. He’s obsessed with completing it. And thank fuck he’s on our side.

Mark my words, this man is going to become one of the all time greats of football management and thank fuck he’s on our side.

FS; It was superb to see Rafa in action. I love the way he couldn’t care less whether that whisky drinking old tramp likes him or not. He’s his own man. I feel confident of winning the league. I’ve always say Liverpool have a god chance but more out of hope but I’m convinced we will win it next season with Rafa at the helm

I’ve started reading Brian Reade’s book 44 years with the same bird. Brought back some good memories.

Gaz: Your last comments from the last blog. Have you been drinking? We won 2-0 the baggies fighting for survival. As for Carra well I don’t mind you having a low opinion of what he did but coming out with the stopping scoring own goals crap – ridiculous. 5 plaers stopped LFC from disapearing out of sight. Gerrard, Carra, Hypia, Owen and Fowler.

I just watched a goals compilation of Steve Mcamanaman – Awesome. He was magnificent. I’d forgotten how good he was. I’d take another Stevie Mcmananaman for this team and we would be unbeatable.

I can never forget how good Mcmanaman was. He carried the team for years!

Hey guys,

Great blog I must say. Congrats Gerry! Rafa needs to swallow what may be a bitter pill for him I reckon. The pool can hold their head up high though and kick on from here, although their squad is far from the real deal. Would appreciate some feedback on my site, http://www.sportsmarketing.ie

Conor and Dave

Kenny i`m about to buy that book i heard its a great reade

Just finished reading rush`s book.It wasn`t all that exciting but i knew that before i bought it.I bought it more in support of the great man.The part about his time with juve was interesting.

steve mcmanaman was one of the best players this club has had in the last 15 years, in my opinion. incredible player. hate the fact that he gave us the treatment when he left though. i’ll never forget that side of him either.

still, that is the sort of player we need. a great dribbler/goal scorer/playmaker… someone that can take players on and beat them. defenders used to fall apart seeing mcamanan run at them with the ball. only torres, gerrard, and benyoun are capable of picking up the ball, taking players on and creating space by breaking through the opponent’s defense on the dribble. yes our squad is becoming a crushing machine, and very well balanced in defense and attack…but the main difference between chelsea/mancs and us is that they each have more of these types of players…

i was really hoping paul anderson might be the heir to mcmanaman. thin, wiry lad brought up through the academy with pace – good on the dribble and playing out wide. doesn’t seem likely, cause at paul’s age, mcmanaman was already making his name in the 1st team. like i said before, it also appears that he is on his way out. oh well. realistically speaking, is he good enough? i dont know, but if rafa doesn’t want to give him the chance, then i accept that. i just thought he could be a great squad player at least to bring on late in a game to run at tired defenses. (this is going on his reputation and what i saw of him in preseason/reserve games in the past)…perhaps he hasn’t developed that great.

anyway, enough from me
YNWA

@Timmytorres,

I asked in the last blog, but it was early on in the posting, so you probably didn’t see it.

Are you signed up to IrishKop?

Just wondering.

I’m not sure if I’ll stay on it. Some of the posters seem very immature.
It seems to have a clique, and if your not from Dublin or Cork, your dismissed.

It’s also quite messy, maybe I’m too used to TIA’s forums and how well they’re run.

I’m just wondering if you’ve been on it long and whats your opinion.

Ya Danman seen that actually bud i forgot to get back to you.Yes i`m registered on but like you i only pop in now and then for a browse when i`m bored or there`s nothing happening in here.I agree there seems to be a few imbeciles in there.A lot of kids with immature comments.

I was going to say they should rename it dublin kop cause all the do`s are held in dublin pubs.

They were organising a golf outing and they gave 5 courses for guys to vote on what would suit them best.Have a guess where they all were?Ya,Dublin.

I think the forums in all the LFC sites have a lot of crap posted in them,this blog is definatley one of a kind.

Great blog Gerry. Yes, we have clearly ,made progress in not only the results but the way we started playing like a winning machine over the last ten games or so.

Then there is the fact that Rafa had extended terms for Agger, Gerrard, Torres & Kuyt faster than even Prick Parry can finish a golf game speaks volumes. Not signing players early was one of the key problems we had in previous years and that included the dithering with SG even after our fantastic 2005 CL win.

I agree with the recuitment of Barry, now for only about half of his signing fee last year. That would make a great signing as we would be getting a good player. He can take corner kicks in place of SG who can then be an additional threat for goals.

Two more signings will do it, a striker in Tevez/Silva and a left wing back, Johnson. If we have to offload players, then maybe Dossena and Babel are those I think have not done well enough and can go. Others include on loan Voronin and Pennant.

Other pluses I see are the recuitments of Sammy Lee this year and possibly of Kenny Dalglish in the next season joining to help our squad improve in the Academy.

Thus, we can expect to not just to merely challenge next year as we have already done so this year. I am confident to predict now that Rafa will build on this to win No 19 next year.
If William Hill is taking bets on this now I shall put in my bet.

The odds for next seasons title knight are..

Scum 6/4
The mighty reds 7/2
chavs7/2
Arse 10/1

Kenny I’ll stand by what I wrote, I thought the situation was disgusting, disgraceful from two top quality players. However in regards to the own goals situation, it’s plain to see the point was about people giving him support rather than giving him a kicking.
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Enjoy your thoughts on this one, Carra certainly didn’t have a monstrous game himself. In fact he’s played shakily for the last few weeks, showing signs on nerves I think. His Arsenal game was very below par.
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Yes he’s given to the team but the team includes all not just him. Lets not go back to the us and them attitude amongst the players.

Great blog Gerry and totally agree about all the help the Scum have had
i said earlier in the season that the refs would cost us at least 6 points
and give Whiskey breath his 6 point min .Off the top of my head
W.Ham/Stoke/ManCity 3 draws that the refs f*cked us on, and the sad
thing is, it’s like predicting the sun will rise in the East, its that obvious .
Since Rafa’s “Facts” the Refs have been more careful in awarding “Favours”
but awarding them all the same, but Ferguscum is losing his grip on the FA
and as soon as David Gill leaves the FA the Mancs will start to lose big time.
As for the W.Brom game i think Lucas had a good game and probably saved
Pepe’s clean sheet then went straight up the other end and nearly scored
Mach was excellent and left little for the defence to do .
Basically a job well done against a team fighting for its life. They dont deserve
to go down for playing nice Football when the likes of Stoke stay up with their
Negative Football ,decent fans too.
YNWA

Lots of optimism as there should be, only negative I still have is dumb and dumber, I don’t know whats worse hearing them or not hearing them, shit they have gone quiet.
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Lets hope they slide some cash Rafa’s way, some people are touting 20 million, that’s it. All the rest if fund by sales. I said I like Alonso and he’ll probably be for sale, well he’s probably our most sellable asset at the moment.
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Torres, SG, Mash, Agger and Kuyt won’t go so that leaves Alonso, had a great season worth some good cash. Only throwing up a thought. Here’s why for example if we sold Babel and Alonso, we could replace them with Barry and Silva. I would prefer Alonso and Silva but it looks unlikely.
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Ah well great blog Gerry, like LFC long may it continue.

I trust Rafa to identify the right targets for us, no doubt about that. What I don’t trust are the Borrowers to provide sufficient funds for us to get those targets. This will be the first silly season after the GFC/credit crunch has truly kicked in, so it’s hard to see G&H coughing up 1 cent more than they feel is absolutely necessary… and with those morons I have no faith that they’ll get that right.

I know we have the Keane money to come, and we’ve all identified the same players we expect to probably be sold – Voronin, Pennant, Dossena, Babel being the main ones to get any money (although can we actually get anything for Peanut?). So Rafa is going to have to do his usual juggling act to try and upgrade the squad, and I’m sure he’ll do a good job of it and we’ll improve in some areas. I just hope he is given enough top-up funds to push us to that extra level – when Valencia start playing hard-ball on Silva and demanding 25 million for him, instead of having to walk away, it’d be nice to be able to have the funds to bite the bullet, close the deal, and chase our other targets.

We all feel like we are “so close” to the title, but I believe that the last step is the hardest. We need to do a lot more than just show up next year with a few minor squad improvements – we really need to take that big extra step, otherwise we might find ourselves still talking about “how close” we are this time next year. I’m not talking wholesale changes at all, but quality players that make a difference. Winning 9 out of our last 10 games is fresh in our minds, but may perhaps cloud the fact that for the other 28 games we still had some problems… great fighting spirit and character got us out of jail more than a few times, but to be really sure we need to add some more quality (hence probably expensive) players to that.

Well a bit gutted over the weekend so couldn’t write anything in the previous blog, but congrats to our boys, because we were by far the best team this year. And no Red cards. That is incredible and shows another great side of Rafa that the media do not explain. The mancs had the better squad, but, in the wise words of Rafa, we were the better team.

I am a little pissed off that the FA has also had words about the rafa-fungus war. FFS, they said nothing when mourinho was at it with fungus. Another liverpool hate campaign regardless of the form it is delivered. Rafa and fungus must “move on.” Well the latter is definitely going to move on i can tell you that much.

The great thing about this year was that because of it I think the players really feel that they are good enough to win the league. I think up until now, somewhere in the back of their heads, they had doubts about being able to win the league, but this season has been vital to their confidence. Experience of fighting a title race and all that is important, but I think for us, what was lacking was belief over the course of the season. We’ve always done it at one-offs. But the lads know now that they can be confident and look good enough right until May if they go at it, and that conviction will definitely tell the story next season.

As for the Barry saga, I am also one to think that Barry will make a good addition. He would not be a back-up for anybody, just as masch or alonso is not a back-up for anyone. They can all rotate and in some cases see barry at left-back or wide-left playing along with them. You cannot play in every game of the season. If players at manure and chelski can take being rotated (look at players like Kuscak or ballack or Quaresma), why should it be so different at liverpool? And I said it last year when the barry-or-alonso issue came up, and I completely agree with Gerry, in that 3 players to fill the 2 central midfielders is way too skint for a title winning team. We need top quality players for each position.

However, that said, what of the money? We can’t buy loads of top players, so how will we cover?

Anyway, I am just going to wait until Rafa starts moving. Rafa plays his card so close that it is too difficult to even sniff at his transfers so whatever we do we will be day-dreaming or become over-anxious.

For now, I have to say well done to Rafa, the lads and the staff; I thank for them for the journey this year- -something that I did not expect at all. I also thank Gerry and all you lads for the fun and knowledge; I only wish I could have more like you over here.

And finally, I will be backing barca 500%. That is the only battle left now I am going to be charged up about. Would just luv it if the mancs miss this one out. They are still far behind us in Europe.

“The mancs and their media buddy’s are now in full celebration mode but they have merely matched something that we achieved almost two decades ago with almost none of the same over the top fanfare. It’s taken 19 barren league years from us, £100’s of millions from them and lot’s of kind help from the FA and their officials over the years, but finally they have drawn level with us on 18 league titles.”

This part is really brilliant gerry.
Yep, gives me an ammunition for the next drinking session with some working buddies.

Oh i forgot to opine on the Arbie and Carra bust-up. I think it was great the carra cared so much especially under the context that the title was already out of our reach. But maybe he could have contained it a little bit since it could have given him a sending off. What I am a bit concerned about though is the fact that Arbie has not come out and said a word about the incident..

Also, I was again a little bit nervous watching insua– his decisions on the defensive part were a bit shaky. He needs to get more games under his belt cos I would be a bit worried seeing the current insua handed a starting position against stronger sides.

@Rome,
The West Brom fans deserve credit. They were fantastic on Sunday, they never stopped singing.
According to the reports after the ame, they’ve been like that all season, even though they knew that they would probably go down.

I hope they get back up soon, if only for the fans.

When I seen the Arby/Carra spat, I honestly thought it was due to the frustration coming out after Saturdays result. We all know how much Carra wants a title. But the other thing that came to mind straight away, was Carra’s book. He said that Rafa wanted him to rough up some players in the showers like the Argentinians at Valencia. So I didn’t think Rafa would be too worried.

Alright Lads. To be honest, I hated seeing that out of Carra, but then I’m a daft old sentimental bastard. And apparently Rafa told Carra to whack anyone he see not pulling their weight. He’s a fucker that Rafa, eh.

I hate to see any cracks in the ranks. Funny Macca has been named a few times in here. Remember Brucie ragging him? That pissed me off back then. This one pissed me off now. I just think we shouldn’t show any cracks in public. But I’ve done far worse on a pitch when frustrated. Mind you, only to the opposition.

In Carra’s defence, I think it was the frustration of going so close and coming up empty handed especially to them bastards. I mean 2 draws turned into 2 wins and it was ours and that probably hurt Carra more than most. He’s not daft. He knows his time is running out. He must be worried of finnishing his career like Sami – one medal short of the full collection.

Well, let’s just hope that spurs all the lads on next season. Nevermind new players, that sort of committment can turn stubborn draws into narrow wins, and nevermind the mancs or what they do either, because that’s all we need to do now. Just think 4 more points from the Stoke draws and it could have been ours. No wonder Carra had a cob on.

PS
How things change… West Brom used to be one nasty gaff to go to. Back in the old hooligan days walking to the train station from the ground after the game was like something out of that shite Warriors film. But fair play to them, they earned my respect on Sunday too. I know a few lads who went they said it was a great day. Drinking and singing with them, not a sign of trouble and everyone giving us comiserations when we even put them down. They booed YNWA though, but then that’s becoming a ritual nowadays.

PPS: I found the link, well worth a read…
ttp://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/2008/09/04/jamie-carragher-autobiography-how-rafa-benitez-told-me-to-fight-with-players-who-didn-t-try-115875-20723395/

Fuckingell, it’s link man again. But I couldn’t let you miss this….
ttp://www.spiderwithchocolatefeet.co.uk/images/albionprg.jpg

Have a guess what it comes from?
Fair play to them. That’s a great gesture that.

Thats a nice peice FS.

Much appreciated gesture from WBA.

Great wasn’t it Timmy. Really good of them to put that in their program, and me mate who was at the game said there fans joined in with the “Justice for the 96″ chant.

They’ve gone right up in my estimation for that. I hope they come straight back up. Shame a proper footballing side can get relegated when a shite one like Stoke stay up.

Ya i noticed that.I notice the opposing fans singing songs away in a tit for tat form like they sing one,then the travelling kop respond.It made for a decent atmosphere.Then when the lads started singing “justice for the 96″ you could see everybody clapping to it all around the ground.

Great too see that.

I`d rather they`d stayed up FS but unfortunatley you won`t survive playing nice football unless you have the quality to do so.

I know stoke play an ugly game but its effective and they have to do what they need to survive.So credit to them in my book.

It galls me that we dropped four points to them but i remember the first game i couldn`t fault the players the had 26 attempts on goal and it was just one of those days where it just wouldn`t go in.The away game was different,we were just shite that evening.

I know Stoke done what they had to do and fair play to them for that. But I don’t like them anyway, never have. And thier fans…. fuckinell, they think it’s still the 70′s. Bad bastards. There’s always murder there.

Its a great point about footballing teams going down while brick walls stay up. However I think we have used that mentality over the last few years while Rafa’s been rebuilding.
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For a while there I thought we would play primarily not to lose, we’ve now moved on to the winning with football aspect. I have really enjoyed some of our football this year while also losing that shit their going to score at any minute feeling.
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I guess you have to solidify what you have before you can expand and develop. I think we’re now evolving well, lets hope it doesn’t come down like a pack of card, from our owners. No doubt they will raise their heads at some point during the summer.
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Even though Stoke played pretty well shit all year they stayed up and in this cashed up league, that’s where the big bucks are. Unlucky WB, whats the statistics on teams coming back up.

Good news. Downing has fractured his foot and could be out for up to six months. So even if Rafa was thinking of moving for him (which I know most of us were hoping he wouldn’t) it looks extrtemely unlikly now. He is just not good enough to make a difference to us.

Lads, Stoke played that way in the Championship during their promotion year and they were regularly criticised for it. West Brom played slick football and won the league, Stoke played hoof ball and finished runners up. It’s not just a style adopted to survive in the PL. That’s how Tony Pulis sets his teams up to play. It shouldn’t even be called football.

Steve, lol that’s cruel.

Timmytorres: In the first game against Stoke the ball did go in, it went in in the first 5 mins, the ref incorreectly disallowed it.

Gaz: I don’t agree with what Carra did, if you think someone is not pulling their weight tell them later in the dressing room. I used to go ballistic if someone didn’t give 100%. I never cared if they were poor or lacking ability not everyone can play but everyone can 100% and that is what Carra has given over the years.

Ref: Baggies Fans have been a credit and respect to them for that. Stoke are crap but they did what they needed to survive and worked their socks off so fair play to them but I’d rather see the baggies stay up because they tried to play football.

Looks like lady lucks back on our side again, Downing out for 6 months. Thank goodness. Not for his injury just for our summer.

Downing already made a big difference to us this season… he was man of the match against us and was the main reason we dropped 3 points.

Loads of factors… Arbie being out. Skrtle playing against him at right back because Carra refused to. Probably Downing’s one really good game of the season.

Agree he’s not good enough for us. But can’t understand why people believe shite rumours in shite newspapers.

And is right LB…. west brom ran away with the championship last season by playing decent football. Big factor for them this season was the fact Kevin Phillips was past it and they couldn’t afford to get a striker of that quality in. If they’d had someone to put away all the chances they made, they probably wouldn’t be going down.

And that’s a worrying thing for more clubs than them. These over inflated prices and wages will keep meaning more and more clubs won’t be able to afford decent players and more of them will play a Stoke like game.

FS, I think West Brom made a mistake with Kevin Philips. They only offered him a 1 year contract. He wanted 2 years. The club wasn’t having it so they let him go. He signs for Birmingham on a 2 year contract and scores the goals to get them promoted.
Stoke bought some decent PL level players after their promotion. Even Hull did the same. West Brom however didn’t sign a striker until January and have paid the price. They play good football but the players are just not good enough. I reckon if there was something riding on the game we’d have run up a cricket score. Maybe they would have had a chance if that linesman was at all of their matches.

What do you guys think of taking Martins and Bassong off Newcastle’s hands should they get relegated? Martins could be back up to Torres and also play on the right. He took being on Newcastle’s bench quite well so you’d think he wouldn’t throw toys out of the pram if he warmed ours. As for Bassong I think he’s ideal to replace Sami. I’m not sure San Jose is ready to face the likes of Kevin Davies, Fuller, Rooney and Drogba yet.

Marco Di Viao has scored 23 goals for Bologna this season and looks a very decent player.Eden Dzeko and Libano Batista have notched up 51 league goals for Wolfsburg and would make fantastic signing.

To me, Gerry, Liverpool have still won their 19th – it’s just the small matter of arranging when to pick it!

What a season. I’ve never been prouder of this team as I have. How many teams battled from goals down to snatch it at the death? Fine, we might have put ourselves in such predicaments in the first, but isn’t it in winter when you can truly tell which trees are really green?

Too many draws………am not sure about that. No team has ever come to Anfield to lose, is there? Let’s be real. We also had games stolen from us like that goal we scored against Hull at Anfield. Yet we remain unbeaten at Anfield!

How about our performances against the big four? Well, for a guy who couldn’t beat his chief competitors, 14 out of 18 wasn’t bad at all. Indeed, if you throw in Villa, Man City (pseudo big team) and Everton, you get 12 more points. Not bad at all.

We were supposed to be annihilated by the great Madrid. Eeeeeeeeeeee, 5-0 and counting. Enough said on that one.

We can’t win without Messrs Gerrard and Torres……..eeeee, they were only available for 12 to 13 games and we’ve still lost only two! So much for a two-man team.

We certainly lack depth…….yeah right. Even Aurelio and Doss can actually score!

The Reds are back and everyone knows it. We remain England’s most offensive team, two seasons and counting. For all our weaknesses, we aren’t defensive slouches either.

I can understand SAF’s predicament. I too would be worried if I were him.

Keep it up Gerry.

Burgerman I like the look of Edinaldo Batista Líbano. He’s 30 so might not be too expensive.

I used to really rate Martins, thought he was going to become some player. doubt it now though. Far to inconsistent.
Bassong’s not a bad shout, but I think we can get away without spending any money on that position. And money could still be key.

We’ve been promised the money fro the Keane sale, the usual 20 million quid and anything Rafa can raise from sales. I wouldn’t hold me breath on that though.

I think the Keane money will be forgotten and it will make up three quarters of the 20 million. But if Rafa can raise a few bob from sales I reckon that could be enough anyway.

We defiently need to find decent back up for Arby. We need to bring in a decent 2nd striker as back up for Nando an also to throw on when the bus parkers arrive at Anfield. Other than that, I think we are in good shape. But who knows.

Like I’ve said a few milion times, I think Rafa might well spring a surprise and I trust him to get it right this time round.

There’s no Parry to fuck things up. There’s the progress we’ve made over the last few season’s to attract top players and then there’s the Macia factor…. due to him, we’ve got our fingers in every pie all round the world. Who know’s what players are in Rafa’s list of 95 possibles.

But the really great thing about all this to me is the fact that Rafa is building a proper boot room. From the academy upward all posts are being filled with top men who will build the sort of legacy we enjoyed under Shanks and Paisley. It’s not some empire built around one man like the mancs. There’s a proper spine to the staff not just the team and squad. It should stand us in good stead for many years to come.

FS,

I didn`t know much about the stoke fans,mainly because we haven`t played them before in my lifetime.

I still have to credit the way they stayed up.By any means necessary when you come up from the championship.I`m sure the baggies fans wouldn`t mind their team playing shite football if it kept them up.

They`ll be back though,they are a well run club financially and i think are quite happy to bounce up and down without spending too much.

In a way i`m glad stoke stayed up.Rafa has a score to settle with these.I`m sure they are on his hit list he has drawn up in his little black book for next season.

FS: Hear hear. Rafa is an ambitious, determined man but he is humble and not frightened to share the glory. he has his finger on the pulse of what’s going on but like you say has brought in top people do a job. I loved Stevie Heighway and so did the academy lads but we don’t want someone to be loved we want someone to provide a conveyor belt of nurtured talent for the first team and for that to happen everyone has to be singing off the same hymn sheet.

Timmy mate, Stoke didn’t adopt a long ball game to survive in the PL. That’s how they play period. Whether it’s against Liverpool or Doncaster Rovers, Stoke will launch it!!

This is a crucial summer of transfer dealing. I’m glad Rick Parry won’t be having anything to do with it. Some might say well he did ok with getting Torres signed up etc. Torres wanted to come here, in fact he has said he would only have left Athletico to come to LFC so I could have brokered the deal. Nothing is 100% certain but looking at previous transfer dealings of other managers (providing the money is there for his transfer targets) I would have Rafa over anyone else.

Would be good if we launched a bid for Silva before Real Madrid have their presidential elections. Wrap it up quick to avoid the bidding war. Their election is July 5th.

Well if you’re disgracing the type of footy that stoke play, look at what fat face allardyce does. Everywhere he goes, he turns the team into a pyramid. Blackburn used to play pretty well but look at them now– they’re the spitting image of the allardyce bolton. So I can’t really fault the way stoke play. West brom have good enough players to play the way they do, but it is the defense that has been horrible for them. Shambolic.

As for snatching players from a relegating team, to be honest with you, I don’t want any!!

But seeing we are on the subject, if I had to choose, I would actually want Tuncay (and harper, though he has snubbed us once already). He is the spitting image of kuyt in terms of movement and fitness, but has a little more of a touch to him. You can count on him to give it 200% for every game, can play on either of the flanks and behind torres. A real decent back-up, if you ask me.

But like i said before, the guy I really think would be an asset is Arda Turan. Right midfield, second striker, offensive midfielder and right back– can play anywhere, really.

Heaven knows what rafa is up to. I’ve virtually given up guessing him over the years. I mean, I had never heard of arbeloa when we signed him but he is now a spanish international!

I never heard of Dossena either.

LB,

I never said that they adopted their style exclusively for the premier league.I know they always played like that.All i was saying its the only way they could have survived.And credit to them for doing that.What they done previously in the championship wasn`t my point bud.

There’ll probably be someone else this summer who none of us have heard of. It’s what Rafa does. He done exactly the same thing at Valencia and turned some of them unknowns into household names. That’s why I don’t bother speculating, and that not being a smartarse. I understand why some people do.

I think we’ll just see one top class buy, maybe a couple of squad/back up buys and a couple more kids. And talking of the kids, now that 2nd spot is clinched, I’d like to see a couple of them get a runout – maybe even Paceco and Nemeth for Gerrard and Torres. I know it won’t happen though as I’m sure Rafa will want to finish with a win.

I’d like to see Intandje, Penant and Vronin off loaded. Intandje is a prick. He’ll want to sit out his contract on the bench, pick up his wages and then fuck off for nothing – just like Penant will. And Vronin has only really attracted the one bit of interest, but if Berlin can’t afford him, I’d just cut his contract short and let him fuck off for free an all.

I know we need the money from sales, but if none can be found it would do no harm getting them 3 off the wage bill. Paying the likes of Silva’s wages won’t be cheap. Getting free loaders off the wage bill would come in handy to cover it. And in these financial times, just getting the bums off the wages could be more important than getting a few bob from transfers.

No worries Timmy. I thought you were giving them credit for sitting down and coming up with a particular strategy for staying in the top flight. I wanted to stress the point that even in the Championship people thought they were an awful footballing side.

Anyway here’s my summer plan….

Out:
Keane (already gone) – 12
Dossena – 4
Voronin – 4
Leto – 2
Hobbs – 0.4
Anderson – 0.5
Total – £22.09m
+ £20m from borrowers

Sub total – £42m

In:
Silva – 20
Pranjcic – 8
Barry – 9
LondonBarnes – free transfer

I will provide ample support for Torres should he be in need of a rest or out through injury. But be warned Nando, you won’t be walking straight back into the team once I show Rafa what I can do.

Stoke played to their strengths and it worked. You can’t blame them for that. They’ll do exactly the same next season. It’s down to us to beat teams like that. I think that’s a mute point now though, as I reckon we already have learnt that lesson. And I’m sure we’ll carry this end of season form, type of play and attitude, into next season’s campaign from day 1.

Keane – we get 16 back.
Dossena – I think he’s well worth another season.
Voronin – Berlin haven’t got the dosh, no one else is interested.
Leto – don’t think anyone is interested.
Hobbs – should we hang on to him?
Anderson – gone to Swansea.

But other than that LB, I think you’re spot on. Well, you couldn’t be any worse than Keane.

FS,

Keane – we get 16 back. (Even better).
Dossena – I think he’s well worth another season. (We’ll see)
Voronin – Berlin haven’t got the dosh, no one else is interested. (If Hertha get into CL they’ll find dosh).
Leto – don’t think anyone is interested. (you’re probably right).
Hobbs – should we hang on to him? (£400,000 has already been agreed with Leicester)
Anderson – gone to Swansea. (Yeah I know and we got 6 figures).
But other than that LB, I think you’re spot on. Well, you couldn’t be any worse than Keane. (I’d have scored that sitter at the Reebok Stadium).

I reckon you’d have got it an all. I’d have fancied meself for a few of them and I don’t mean back in me playing days.
That’s right. I forgot about Hobbs. I think we got 6000, 000 for Anderson but could be wrong.

Hertha berlin look like they’ll end up in the UEFA now. When does the Bundesliga finish?

Straight up LB and everyone else who thinks Dosenna should go, it’s only my opinin but I think it would be a mistake to let the lad go. I think he’ll be a more than decent squad player next season.

As for additions, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pranjic. It’s a rumour that won’t go away.
Silva, can’t see it meself but you never know.
Barry, wouldn’t be surprised, but I’d be even less surprised to see Snidjer arrive instead.

I think MON fucked Barry up on that front and has probably cost him his chance. But there’s probably going to be a clear out at Real and I think we could end up taking Sneijder from them. If we do, I just hope it isn’t a swap for Alonso.

See that’s why I don’t like speculating anymore. It leads to other things getting discussed and the next thing you know is, we are discussing things that don’t need to be thought about. So, I prefer to believe Rafa and Xabi, and hope he will be here for a few more seasons yet.

Bundesliga:

Wolfsburg 66 pts
Bayern Munchen 64
Stuttgart 64
Hertha 63
Dortmund 58
Hamburg 58

1 game left in the season.

Bayern v Stuttgart
Karlsruhe v Hertha

If Hertha beat the bottom club Karlsruhe they’ll finish 3rd or 2nd and get into the CL….. Then hopefully buy Voronin.

Look at that league table though – that’s competitive eh?

Wolfsburg have never won a trophy and their best league finish ever is 5th. They are owned by Volkswagen and were originally the team of the VW Beetle factory workers – BSG Volkswagenwerk Stadt des KdF-Wagen.

Hello Timmy,
With all the muck the press writes about LFC, I would have thought our odds would be better than 7/2. Drat it.

Well, let’s hope they make it then. 4 million wouldn’t go amiss and would be a nice bit of business by Rafa again. The way he has turned our transfer policy around is a real credit to the man.

If you’re looking for a good bet this weekend… Steven Gerrard golden boot, or just for the hat-trick which will win him it.

I think’s it around 40 to one to win the golden boot and 25 to 1 for the hat-trick. I suppose you get the extra 15 because of Ronaldo and Anelka. But Ronaldo probably won’t play, so it might be worth a small punt.

V.G blog Gerry,gave you 5 stars,but have to disagree re-Lucas.Admittedly I only have Setanta TV to go on when I watch games,but he is the ‘nearly’ man to me and I would like to see him replaced by Barrie (if we manage to sign him).
I look forward to next year,even if time is not on my side,and the Reds taking the Premiership Title again.
I’m looking forward to the Everton Blues taking the FA Cup this year to represent our city,because as sure as hell they won’t get the chance next year.

I know Knight,but whatever the media say the bookmakers aren`t far off when they make the odds.The scum will start as favourites but if we sign silva and barry and a couple of back ups our odds will surely shorten.

I don’t think dossena should go just yet. I like the look of his crosses, and I just can’t fathom an Italian defender not being good at defending. He has to have something. The premiership is completely different and it is too early to tell if he can’t cut it. I didn’t think aurelio was a good player, but he has become much better this year.

I personally think we have to sacrifice babel if we are to get any decent funds from sales of our players.

Just like keane, he doesn’t seem to understand that he doesn’t play well enough to be granted a lot of playing time, and yet he blabbers on that he should be playing. Distracting that. Other teams are interested in him, so I wouldn’t be too sad to see him go.

Which is sad that I can say such a thing about the fella because, as i have stated many times, I was mega excited when we first got him. He played against japan in the youth tournament, and he just single-handedly tore them apart time after time, and I remember thinking a big team is going to snap up this guy but not us cos we wouldn’t be able to afford him.

But since then, he has been a bit of a thickhead– it is apparent that he lacks the brain to understand rafa’s system and cannot evolve from a winger to a midfielder.

Real shame. He would blossom under the old ajax 4-3-3 system but we don’t play like that.

is it just me or has the font in here got smaller?

Hyde, well he’s no Maldini that’s for sure. More in the Gianluca Festa category.

Well, if you can find a Maldini for 7 million quid LB, I think you best ring Rafa.

I’m not saying the lad will ever become one of our all time greats, but he’s a honest hard working proffesional who won’t let us down when needed. He’s what us old fellas would call a utility player. We’ve had lots of them over the years, none set the world alight but none ever really let us down either.

And having said that, he’s not as bad as some people make out. He’s suffered from the scapegoat melarkey that has become the done thing over the last few seasons.

And don’t worry Mr. Hill Sir. I’m sure you’ve got a good few title wins left in you yet.

I agree Jack, if Everton and Barca take the 2 cups it’ll make the season somewhat more bareable. Thats a very tempting bet Fatty, he should have had a hat-trick at the lane against them when he hit the woodwork 3 times the poor sod, maybe home soil will do the trick for him. Thats one of the things I miss about home, the bookies! Used to love going in and perusing the odds on things like that. LB, hope your trial goes well, would love to have Barnes on the back of my jersey again!

I’m sure there’s a few lads running a book in queen’s Dig. But I know what you mean. I tried them OTB places when I got there. Thank fuck I couldn’t get into it. Never really been a big gambler. I do enjoy the odd interest bet though and I’d miss putting a few quid on the footy and gee-gees, even though I never fucking win!

i just read a statistic that the mancs only won ONE game away against top 7 competition. ONE GAME!

how are they champions?!?!?!

By the skin of their teeth Alec.

Came into say did anybody see that Neil Warknock’s comments about the mancs, the tramp and Hull?

I’ll try and find the link. He went on an arse kissing rampage, waxing lyrically on how great the tramp is – best ever manager and all that shite even though Paisley’s record makes a mockery of that claim.

Then having said all that, here’s the important bit… He said how the tramp would be right to rest players and even put out a reserve team against Hull!

Sort of strange that coming from a man who consistantly and constantly blamed Rafa for fielding a weakened side on the last day of the season, when we had nothing to play for, and so condeming Sheffield Utd to relegation.

I’ll have to dig up the link. It’s a pod cast I listened to a few days back and I’ve lost it. The hypocritiscism on there is unbelieavable. Rafa is condemned for all sorts. He gets attacked for even daring to look sideways at the tramp. He even gets a veiled threat from the LMA for acting so awfully, but there’s not one mention about the tramp and fat head colluding against him and even inventing lies between them to try and heap pressure on him and, through him, us.

Well, this is what we are up against. And mark my words, it will get worse next season. The tramp will use every dirty tactic he can personally. He will use the likes of Allardyce, Bruce, Redknapp etc in anyway he can and referees and the media will be pressured to fall in line.

Yes. The more I think about it, I think we are in for one very nasty season next year. The tramp will be like an evil injured beast in it’s death throes, and he will do anything/everything in his power to retire having finally completed his life’s work…. knocking us off that fuckin perch.

ttp://www.footballaudio.com/post/1624/croatia-star-admits-liverpool-interest.html

stick on the h. Pranjic talking of Liverpool interest…

Warnocks a prick who got what he deserved. Who’s he with now? Palace? Yeah real high profile Neil. If you were worth a fuck you’d be in the prem where Rafa could make a fool of you every year! OTB are only good for the nags Fatty. I miss doing my pools every wknd. We used to do it every wk in a bar in woodside. 10 bucks a wk, 30 or 40 of us. It was cumulative thing where the one with the most pts at seasons end picked up the big prize. I finished 2nd one yr, got 2,500 for it, not bad eh?!

What a twat Warnock is.He`s a bitter old fecker and i`m glad he`s ended up in a shite job.He has no class at all.

Who cares what the LMA think anyway,Rafa dosen`t,thats what i love about the man,he`s his own man,he`s on a mission and he`ll take down anyone who gets in his way.

FS was right,it`s only the mr ferguson ass kicking club full of ordinary managers never good enough to even manage a top club.Thats why 3 of the top four clubs have foreign coaches now and when rafa finally drives the tramp out,he`ll be replaced by a foreign coach despite what the british media think.

Well if wart hogg has made a comment like that, where is our PR department. Why are we not getting this into the papers, or on the TV, just to show what an idiot he and his counterparts are.
.
I’m actually surprised the Americans aren’t PR mad as they usually are in their own country. We should be putting the pressure on Man U playing against Hull, are United choosing next years competition. Etc Etc.

I agree that Dossena deserves another season to show what he can do – I never thought he was all that bad this year anyway, I liked his hard running down the flanks. I thought he was hurt early on in the season when Keane was playing most of his minutes – I couldn’t count the number of times Keane ignored runs by Dossena down the left so that he could bring the ball inside, run into traffic, and then fall over looking for a free kick. I suppose it’s only a small thing but I think Dossena could’ve got some early confidence and won some people over if his runs had been honoured. Of course that doesn’t excuse some of his shit defending in some of the games around mid-year but again, that’s not enough to cut him loose for, remember Skrtel had a shocker or two early on too.

But the thing is – do we really need 3 left backs in Aurelio, Dossena and Insua? Probably not, so one of them is going to get a lot of bench time, and you wouldn’t want Insua’s development hampered by being 3rd in line I think, nor would you want someone who cost as much as Dossena 3rd in line (could use that money elsewhere). Especially when we have a glaring need for cover at right-back, plus in emergencies I’m confident Dagger could fit in at left-back with no worries at all (he played a few games for us there when he first joined and has since improved). So to me that really says we should probably sell a left back if we need funds, even though I don’t particularly want to see any of them go… Dossena is 27, Aurelio 29, Insua is 20. There’s no argument for selling Insua at 20 and I’m not sure Aurelio would fetch much at 29, so that probably leaves Dossena. However if we sold him, we should find a kid from somewhere to develop into a backup to Insua in a few years.

Actually according to the official LFC site we’ve got a German kid with good potential from the Academy who’s a left back, called Buchtmann, 17 years old.

And after-thought number 2 on the left-back thing… if we did get Barry in, there’s another backup for left-back. Selling Dossena for 4 million or so, and getting Barry for 10 or less, would mean quality cover in 3 positions. That’s why I can see Rafa still going for him.

LB, it’s a bit harsh comparing any Italian defender with baresi or maldini! I mean Nesta was being dubbed the new baresi but I fell about laughing cos it was an overstatement of the highest order. I had to laugh at your statement, though! Poor dossy, and all because he is an Italian!

And andy, I agree, I do think it all depends on who we can get. In principle, I think once rafa knows he can buy his top targets at a price range he thinks is appropriate, he will then decide who to sell.

But what a tough job rafa has. I mean, all the other top sides can decide whether to keep, sell or buy without trying to generate fees from selling. There is hardly room for error in our transfers but look where we are now.

By the way, do any one of you understand spanish properly? My spanish is non-existent, and I am dying to know what Rafa is saying here:

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28s8GwTSP44

It is old but still you can see a glimpse of what his work is like. A real scholar type, our gaffa.

Does anyone know when the transfer window opens, some say the 1st of June others the 1st of July, anyone.

The other problem about having to sell before we buy is that we can’t move so quickly in the market. Rafa can have targets identified and even prices agreed, but he may not be able to close the deals until our player sales are confirmed – which means other clubs dawdling can hold us up. I’m sure Rafa wants to move swiftly on all targets but that is more difficult when trying to get a decent price for a player we are selling.

LB, I’m sure FT is shaking in his boots at the thought of you ousting him from the starting 11!

I know it’s silly season FS, but the downing rumours didn’t seem to be going away either. Perhaps they will now.

Word has it that Tevez wants to join LFC. The fact that he WANTS to join us would make perfect sense. Oh, and if he did come and helped us to the Prem, how many of us would worry about the fact that he played for the scum?

I know, I know. It’s just a rumour!!

Morning lads.
Andy….
ttp://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2009/05/19/liverpool-fc-academy-christopher-buchtmann-eyes-trophy-double-92534-23654433/

And he’s just been named in UEFA’s top ten young players for the future. So, looks like have a good’un there.

The thing with kids though is, the easily recognised ones don’t often fulfill they’re potential, and then you get the late developers who go un-noticed for ages and then bang… develop overnight into world beaters. So, it’s a very hard thing to get right.

Seems that’s why Rafa has had the overhaul at the academy. In fact, I think we might see a bit of a clear out soon and a lot of the oldest of the lads, just like Hobbs and Anderton, will be let go.

I really don’t know too much about the academy and the reserves though. I mainly just go on what a mate of mine tells me, but I do catch the odd game on stream and read any articles I see. But lets face it, streams arent the best way to watch a game and press reports at that level are usually biased depending on which side of the fence the report is coming from. But I trust me mate, he knows his football and he’s pretty closely connected to some people at the academy. And he tends to think, it’s the next generation of youngsters that are showing most promise. So we might be in for a bit of a wait regarding the youngsters.

Gaz mate, that summer transfer window does me head in. It’s supposed to be from July 1 to 31st of August. So, according to that we’ve got over a month to wait to start doing business and it should all be completed inside two months. But I can’t recall one sticking to that.

And our left side is over-stocked compared to the right. It would be nice to see 2 players make it their own next season. Of the personel we’ve got I’d say the likeliest pair would be Insua and Riera, unless Babel suddenly fulfils the potential and Aurelio stops getting injured everytime he breaths. But I wouldn’t hold me own breath on that though.

So, maybe we will see at least one of them getting sold and hopefully a talented addition coming in.

Oh yeah, last word on the kids…. I believe they often get played out of what is considered their own/natural positions. Attack, midfield, defence, apparently they get to play in them all. In order, to get them used to tracking back if there an attacker and going forward with the ball if they’re a defender, sort of thing.

Seems a bit mad but I know Shankly and Paisley done the same thing. It rounds them out as footballers. Maybe Babel would have benifited from that.

Oh and Steve, everything I’ve read about Tevez has said he is dead set against a move to Liverpool and he’s even promised the manc fans he wouldn’t even consider a move to us.

And while I’ve mentioned that… what shite fans are them mancs – booing The Tramp for subbing Tevez just as he’s about to deliever them another title.

Yeah okay. The boos were more for the fact that Tevez was coming off, but instead of booing the manager’s decision why not just sing the players song?
Oh yeah, they haven’t fucking got one for him. Tossers.

The transfer window opens July 1st and ends August 31st. Clubs always sign players before July 1st but I don’t think they can register the player until July 1st. So if we signed Silva next week he wouldn’t be able to play for us until July 1st. No European club play any matches in between end of May and July 1st so it’s a moot point really.

That’s interesting FS, I suppose we will have to get used to conflicting stories about what players have said and who we are interested in. All I know is that IF we were chasing Tevez, then it would make sense for him to join us, but perhaps logic won’t come into it. I would be willing to bet that Rafa rates him very highly though, and Masch would love him at Anfield too. Let’s see what happens.

LB, yeah, I really hope we get Silva, we know Rafa wants to sign him, so there may be a chance.

Manc fans are total wankers. I play 5-a-side with a couple of them and I always wear my red shirt. The fuckers steam in to tackles, but I give as good as I get and never complain. I usually can’t walk that well up to 48 hours after a game.

Let’s face it LB, the transfer windows are a joke. Tapping up goes on all season and deals are done well in advance. The back door’s also left open for last minute ones an all. I don’t give a fuck about any of that really. I just hope we get our own business done in the correct manner, the right players being brought in quickly, quitely and cheaply as possible.

Silly season’s really getting into gear now though… some paper’s claiming we have launched a 50 million quid bid for Tevez. 50 million fucking quid. Oh well, here we go again.

Been checking that Pranjic fella out a bit. Seems to me we already have the equivalent player in Bennayoun. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just a bit of smoke and mirrors to stop the opposition knowing who we are really going for.

I know one thing though, and Rafa has admitted it himself… we have to get it bang on this time round. There’s no room for any more mistakes or excuses. We have to complete the jigsaw this time round and kick on from here. This is probably the most important summer we’ve faced in 20 years. I hate to say that. It’s too dramatic for my liking and I’d probably go back on saying it in the future. But at the moment it feels like, if get it right, we can start to really build that legacy. Get it wrong, and it could all go tits up….
No pressure there then.

FS, that’s exactly how I feel regarding this summer’s transfers. I think its THAT important. There is no margin for error really. Good thing we already have a decent squad then. But that final step or piece of the jigsaw is always the most difficult as far as I’m concerned.

I read about the £50m Tevez rumour. It comes from the filthy rag. Apparently £26m to sign the player and a further £8.3m a year in wages. According to their ‘source’ Spurs were preparing an £18m bid and were told of our bid and were blown out of the water. All the other papers have picked up on the story. How’s that for creative writing? Maybe we’re buying Kaka as well.

Back to the transfer window. I think they should scrap it. Was better when you could sign a player whenever you wanted. I don’t know why the window was introduced in the first place. If a club is skint and desperately needs to off load players it can’t until the window. Another thing the is stupid is the cup-tied rule. If a player has played in the cup and then goes to another club he can’t play in the cup. Why on earth not!?

Tony Barrett from the Echo: “Contrary to reports, Liverpool have made no offer for unsettled Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez.”

No doubt about it Fatty. I said a couple of wks ago that is ‘impossible to overstate the importance of this summers transfer window’. Failure is not an option. I agree on the cup tied point LB. If Arshavin was permitted to play in the c.l for Arsenal would the mancs be in the final? Well, probably but it would have been a fairer fight. Ridiculous rule.

Well, in principle LB it’s a good idea. Let’s say a couple of months back when we had the mancs on the ropes and their defence was wobbling it stops them from just going out and spending 30 million quid to shore it up. It’s the same idea at the bottom end of the league and the cups too. Otherwise you’d literally have teams just buying the trophies and we’ve practically got that anyway as it is.

So in principle, it’s a good thing. I just think if you’re going to have it, it should be enforced properly and applied to all clubs equally. Look at what the mancs and the arse got away with over Reservatov and Arshavin.

And yeah. I just noticed that the Tevez thing came from the S*n. They’ll be at it for the 3 months now, but even the best of the broadsheets aren’t much better. They’ve got a lot of empty pages to fill in the close season.

That’s another reason I packed in speculating with names. What I do reckon we’ll see is… Rafa being given no more than 20/25 million. The Keane money will be convieniently be forgotten and actually make up the major part of this summer’s budget. Then there’s sales. We’ll probably off a few more kids, the dead weights Vronin, Intandje, Pennant maybe Degan to clear the wage bill, and maybe even Babel, Dosenna or Riera.

Then it’s down to Macia and Rafa to really earn their dosh. But I can’t see them just splashing all our cash on one obvious player like Tevez or Silva. Their main trick at Valencia was getting players no one had heard about and turning them into household names.

As for Mancs sticking the boot in Steve. That brings back memories. Many moons ago, I played for a Mexican side in California. There was some English fellas playing in that league, most of them were manc fans. They used to try and kick lumps out of me. Shouldn’t blow your own trumpet and all that, but one of me favourite memories of then…. playing in a tournament in San Diego, ripping the back out of a team full of mancs and scoring twice. They was fucking livid.

Happy days.

You can tell I’ve got no graft today, and I’m doing me best to avoid the gardening, eh. But if anyone can be believed it’s Barrett. He’s got the in that Bascombe used to have until he fucked it up.

Papers reckon we’re gonna get £20m-£30m to spend on players. Great journalism that eh? They also think Wenger will get £13m to spend. Real Madrid president favourite Perez has said he’ll give Wenger £120m and philosophical control over the first team and youth team. They want to embrace his idea on how to take the club forward. Suddenly the Arse fans are shitting themselves. Lol.

Perez shopping list according to Guillem Balague is:

Kaka
David Villa
Xabi Alonso
Frank Ribbery

Alonso’s agent has said “Many things could happen in the summer. Xabi is signed to Liverpool for 3 more years, his future depends on Liverpool”. Which is fair enough I thought. But then the headline: “Alonso’s agent refuses to dismiss Real Madrid move”

I personally don’t think this transfer period is as important as some would like to believe or as some would like to make it out to be. Yes it is important to add some strength as well as the depth in certain positions, right back and versatile attacker that has been well documented and yes it will strengthen the team.

Facts are that we beat all our top rivals and if we had gelled and clicked earlier in our attacking play we could and should have avoided those costly draws that was ultimately our down fall. Another year with this squad as it develops and gets comfortable with each other will make us that much stronger and better to cope with the pressures of the prem. Plus the experience we gained from this challenge will make us that much better and stronger. The players that where brought in last year will adapt better with one more year and one more preseason under their belt and make even more of a contribution than they did this year.

The players we bring in this year will take time to settle and adapt and our start and campaign will rely heavily on the existing players. Hopefully with a fit Gerrard and Torres playing more games with hopefully fewer injuries, we are already that much better for next season. Add to the fact there is no European Championships, no Olympics, which really affected us more than most teams with our Spanish players and our youngsters in the Games I think we will be significantly stronger next season without any additions.

Our youngsters will be one year older, our squad will have one year more to gel better, people quickly forget how young our squad is and with Sammie’s departure we have a younger squad than Arsenal. So while it is important to get the right 2 or 3 people in I don’t think it will define our season next year to the extent that some of you think it will.

How many points did the Arse get in 1988-the following season they had 76?.With 4 decent signings-the Reds can push the 100 point barrier.Is silva injury prone and what is his goals per game ratio?.Big chance for SG to finish joint top scorer in the prem, Michael Owen never did better than 19 league goals and his best in all competitions was 28 in 2002.

Very rare I disagree with you Keith. In fact, I don’t disagree with anything you’ve just said except… I honestly do think we have to get it spot on this summer. And some of that even ties in with what you’ve said.

My point isn’t just about the playing side of things. Well, of course it is, but… well put it this way – Last season we really fucked up. There was the Keane debacle, and only really one of our signings made any real difference to the first team – Riera.

We all know the factors behind that but there’s no Parry this time, Rafa has full control barring actual spending and he has had Macia in place to help him for the majority of the season.

So, not even looking at the playing side of things, I stand by what I said… he has to get it right. If he doesn’t, the press will tear him to shreds, the tramp will make sure of that, and our more fickle fans will turn on him again.

Then of course, there is the playing thing of sides… remember what happened at Boro when Arbie was injured. Skrtle played RB because Carra flatly refused to (still pisses me off that). He got tore to bits by Downing. We dropped 3 precious points at a time when we could have really put the shits up the mancs.

Then as you say yourself, there is the issue of top players being injured. Can we chance Torres or Gerrard playing a full season? I doubt it. Therefore, I think we have to defientely get in cover for Torres.

But as you say, the arrivals should be more quality than quantity. If we get it right, we can definetely win it. As lets face it, besides for Riera we went into battle with no new weapons. A couple of big guns and we can blow them out the water. Miss the opportunity and we could have really shot ourselves in the foot.

As for Alonso LB, he is adamant that he doesnt’ want to leave. I also hope he doesn’t but you never know. If the right money comes in, well every player has a price. But I think we really suffer when he’s not in the side and I desperately hope he stays.

As for Madrid, there’s going to be smoke blowing out of there all through the summer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we things got turned arse over tit end up robbing Sneijder off them. I’d prefer him to Barry.

Burgerman, I doubt any team will break the 100 point barrier in a 38 game season. That would require 32 wins and 4 draws. Not sure if Silva is injury prone but I do know most of the Spanish first teamers from Euro 2008 have had an injury plagued season. Torres, Silva, Villa, Iniesta, Fabregas have all missed chunks of the season. He’s made 118 appearances in the last 3 seasons so it suggests he’s not injury prone. He’s scored 21 goals in that time.

Michael Owen’s goals to games ratio for us was fantastic. Trouble was he hardly ever played a full season due to injury.

Arsenal finished 6th in 87-88 with 66 points. Why do you ask?

FS, I’d like Sneijder I think he’s a cracking player. I reckon Real will get rid as well.

Arsenal made the jump from sixth to first in 1 season-this is as big a leap as a team has made in the past 30 years.Derby won a league title with 54 points out of a possible 84 and lost 11 games in 1975!.I would take £25 mill for Alonso (upfront).

Keith I believe all our Spanish players are involved in a tornament during the summer, which most clubs who have those players don’t agree with. In fact I believe Torres has been told he must play in our Asian tour regardless of his committments to Spain. So that’s a few lads in our team.

Was anyone here a season ticket holder in 1978-79? The home record that season was:

Played 21. Won 19. Draw 2. 51 goals for. 4 goals against.

F*cking hell, no wonder fans went to Anfield unconcerned about the result. 51 goals scored and conceded 4!!

Burgerman, as you know you have to go back many years to find teams that come from nowhere and win the league. Which is a bit sad in my opinion.
We didn’t do too bad in 2006. We finished 5th in 2005 with 58 points. In 2006 we finished 2nd with 82 points. That’s a staggering improvement.

I am no saying it not important FS but I don’t think it is make or break time either way. Our squad is strong enough to have a real go with another year under their belts and with more time for the youngsters and new people to settle. As you rightly pointed out that is if we are not hit with major injury problems as parts of this season was. New additions will help us cope with that situation better.

There is no doubt that we will bring in a few players that will make us stronger depth and quality wise. Right back is imperative should Arbie get injured as well as to give him a rest. I still think he is so very much underestimated. A versatile wide man come striker is vital but only in the context of improving the squad and if we don’t manage to get one I do not see it as an ultimate disaster, lost opportunity yes disaster no. Benny really came on in the second half of the season, Reira will be that much stronger, Babbel will hopefully kick on as well. Ngog will be one year older and stronger and then there is El Zhar, Nemeth and Pacheo so we do have a few options

I would love Silva to be in the squad but still think we will win the prem without him. Agreed Sneijder will be far the better bet than Barry if there is a choice. Don’t be surprised to see somebody like a Sneijder or van der Vaart for that matter instead with the clear out at Madrid

I trust Rafa to get it right. I think my main point is that we must not underestimate how strong our squad is and given time it will only get stronger. We had a very good and realistic shot to win the prem this year and for a number of very small instances and details, we just fell short, but not by that much. I think experience of not being in that position before was a key factor as well, as you so rightly pointed out. Not next year, it will be our year.

Well, every player does have a price but I can’t see us replacing Xabi for 25 million. Look at the performances with out him. He really is quite priceless to us and how we play as a team.

I see your point BM, but both of them are donkey’s years old. There’ll never be any Derby County’s again. Which I think is a shame. And as for Arsenal, it wasn’t as if they came out of nowhere.

I think it’s pretty much given fact now, that a team has to have at least one season challenging, properly challenging and going close, before they win it. And even that’s no guarentee.

That’s why I think it’s so important we get things spot on this summer, and even then it would help if the oppostion all have a bad one.

Perfect pre-season…. Arsenal don’t spend enough and don’t strenghten were they obviously need it.
Chelsea don’t get in some young quality players and their ageing squad has to face another long season.
Man U lose Ronaldo and Tevez, don’t replace them properly. Don’t replace Scholes and Giggs. Ferdinand is starting to look like a crock. Let’s hope The Tramp actually believes his own and his teams hype.
Us… get in the quality cover and players we need at RB, Second Striker and Left Wing.

All that happens, I’ll bet me bottom lip on us winning it.

Well, I’ve got to shift me fat arse now. Been avoiding doing things I just can’t be arsed doing. But yes Keith, as I said I’m pretty much in agreement with you. I just think this is our big opportunity to swing the pendalum back to us.

But we definetely need to get it right and make sure we don’t waste this chance. And make no bones Keith, if we get anything wrong this summer Rafa will come under intense pressure and scrutiny again – from both inside and outside the club.

LB, I’ve never had a season ticket but that was my prime time. I hardly missed a game home and away in the late seventies and early eighties. I’ve said a few times, a day at the match would go…. meet the lads, go for a few pints, get in the kop nice and early, make your way to your spot, people had their own spots even though you’d never believe it now, sing, generally fuck about, not even think of losing, if we did… “Oh fuck it. So, what? We’ll just twat them next week.”

The team felt no different. It’s like what Keith just said, winning builds confidence and belief. We are in the first stages of that. I also think the tramp is on the other side of the coin… the first stages of worry. He realises the dreaded enemy are back and he doesn’t like it one bit.

Keith as Gaz points out our Spanish armada are going to some mickey mouse tournament in the summer called the confederations cup. I think the Argies are in there too so basically half our team. Its fucken ridiculous. Personally I think Rafa should put a halt to it but I dont know where our jurisdiction begins or ends on such a matter. World cup or euros? Thats fine but this poxy tourney is just too much. If Torres comes back injured I’ll be unapproachable for a week.

Digger, we have no jurisdiction whatsoever. Spain could be playing against you and your mates in Queens and if they call up Torres he’ll be playing. Aint nothing Rafa can do about it. FIFA run tings.

There is no Argentina. Its Spain, Brazil, Egypt, South Africa, New Zealand, Iraq, Italy, USA.

Iraq v USA will be interesting….

Mickey Mouse cup

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Mickey Mouse Cup is a subjective term used in football, particularly in English football, to negatively describe a cup, league, or other competition as being of a lower standard, importance or significance to a football club or manager relative to other competitions.[1][2]

The term was first coined by Liverpool as a way of disparaging their Merseyside rivals Everton. Everton had reached the 1977 Football League Cup final and fans of Liverpool, who were chasing a European Treble, used to term to belittle Everton’s achievements.[3]

The term has been applied to lesser Confederation or FIFA supported competitions such as the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.[2][4]

The English Football League Cup is often referred to as the “Mickey Mouse Cup” by larger Premier League clubs.[5]

However, should one of these teams win the competition they regard it as club honour and an important achievement.[3]

The perception of a cup as “Mickey Mouse” may not be universal, since smaller and lower standard competitions give a chance for lower league clubs to win silverware, and additionally gain extra revenue from playing a much larger club.[5]

Often, a club that perceives a competition as a “Mickey Mouse Cup” – usually a stronger Premier League side – will field a weakened, reserve or youth team in the competition, resting more high profile players and further weakening the perception of the competition.[6]

However, this often has the effect of giving chances to play to developing players, who may progress into the first team.[7]

The term may also be applied to a competition to intentionally disparage the winning of it by a rival side, or to minimize the importance of the competition to a club if knocked out. This may be done as part of a mind game with rival clubs in other competitions, or for reasons to maintain team morale.[3][8]

[edit] Other uses
The terms Mickey Mouse Treble and Mickey Mouse Double have been used subjectively to disparage the winning of what are perceived as multiple lesser trophies by larger clubs in a single season, in comparison to the the European treble and The Double. Such terms are usually applied by a rival club. The term ‘Mickey Mouse Treble’ has been used by fans of Manchester United to describe Liverpool’s 2001 win of the Football League Cup, UEFA Cup and FA Cup.[9]

The term has also been used to undermine football referees. After a questionable decision by an official in a Newcastle United match, manager Joe Kinnear reacted by criticising the quality of refereeing, saying: “It was a blatant foul, a blatant push prior to the penalty, and he ignores it…it was just a Mickey Mouse ref doing nothing.”[10]

In recent years the term has also become popular amongst AFL fans when referring to the fruitless and seldom taken seriously NAB Cup.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the conef cup. It’s only on for two weeks and it’s not exactly the most competitive. The only thing that would worry me about is some big cart horse defender trying to make a name for himself and wellying one of our lads.

I said it before, I’d rather the lads had the two weeks on the beach instead. But let’s just hope it keeps them sharp instead of knackered. I can’t think of the exact dates off the top of me head, but, and it does cut down there rest time. But it’s more of a pain in the arse than a proper huge problem.

Confed Cup June 14th-28th FS. Our preseason kicks off July 15th.

Thanks FS,I must admit that my dentist said I would live to be 104 years old-must have good teeth because of wartime diet and being a Red supporter.
Some of the emails are a good read and I look forward to them,so keep them going folks.

Leave our CONFED cup alone at least us plebs get to see Liverpool players. Spain will have a walk in the park for most games and will play one semi hard game in the final. They are in a soft group of SA, New Zealand and Irqa, hardly the Euro Championship there. It will be more like a Holiday with all the Liverpool supporters singing Liverpools number 9 and taking the piss.

Yeah. Just checked that LB, came back into post it. But it won’t be as bad as having a World Cup, Euros or even Olympics. I also think the Spanish lads will be given an extra week or so off.

There’s also some World Cup qualifiers to be played in June an all. But what can you do?

That’s football nowadays and it will only get worse. National FA’s will take every chance to line their coffers and not give a toss about the clubs that actually pay their players. Something needs to be done, but it won’t. Greed, easy as.

Here’s a quick one for you Jack, seems a bit morbid but it was actually very funny…

I have an old friend down here in Bournemouth. Liverpool lad, knocking on 80 now, life long supporter and long time match goer. I went to visit him the other week.

He was all excited, went in a draw and pulled out a picture…
Him with his own headstone. He was really made up with it, got Liverbirds and his nickname, Mugsy, on it.
I was a bit upset to see it, but he made me laugh….
“Lovely isn’t it? That’s near 2 grands worth that lad and I got it for under 800 nicker, cut, enscribed, the lot.”

He is genuinely chuffed with it, but he assured me he has no intentions of going under it until we have won at least another 3 titles. But knowing Mugsy it will be more like 10 before he shuffles off.

Missed you posting that Keith, but have to pretty much agree with it. Like I said, my only genuine concern would be some big yard dog of a defender thinking he could make a reputation for himself by doing Torres.

Yeah like against Reading in the Carling Cup last season. I lost count of the amount of times Torres was booted up in the air in that game.

I was just thinking though…. Torres could bloody well do with some games to keep him sharp. He’s not exactly been over played this season. Our other Spaniards are not guaranteed starters so you’d think they would not play too many full 90 min games. As you said FS, Rafa will probably give them an extra week off.

There are a couple England qualifiers in June but after that most of the lads should have the deck chair out for a full month before reporting back to work.

I’m old school LB. I know things have changed. I don’t mean players should play on bleeding stumps, like Back in’t good ole dahys. But I don’t see this being much of a problem.

Tell you the one that really gets on my nerves… international breaks, especially for pointless bloody friendlies. Look at what happened during the las one. The mancs were on the rack there and they go off the hook.

They really need to do something about these non-sensical breaks.

Site’s gone all weird. Think I’ll do something constructive and go the off license

Don’t know if the site has gone weird for everyone else, but thought this worth posting anyway…
ttp://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0520/benitezr.html

The bit about Hyypia was said the other day. The transfer talk is new and well worth a read

What the funk happened there Ger?! Site went a bit strange! Couldent read or post comments, anyway, panic attack over! Normal service has resumed… LB I dunno about Torres needing games bro, I feel the opposite. He’s what? 24? And no harm to the lad but he cant make it through a full season as it is. What the lad needs is plenty of r and r this summer, give his body and more importantly his dodgy hamstrings time to recuperate. Btw that wiki post was to funny!

So the Reds made up the nickname “mickey mouse cup”.

Now why dosen`t that surprise me?

LB,I know that torres is the only guarantee starter in spains XI but i think some of our other lads will get a lot more game time than we expect.I suspect iniesta won`t be there,he`ll probably play the CL final but be rested to recover then and silva is out for two months.
Besides that i think del bosque will want to try some players on the fringe of the squad in the group games.The intensity probably won`t be too high so it might not be too bad.

Anyway LB,we`ll be tearing our hair out without some footy of any kind.I know we all want a break from it at the end of the season but the cravings come right back within ten days!

Not all of us watch cricket you know

Shakatar Doniesk have won the very last UEFA cup beating Werder Bremen 2-1.

Not quite the summer yet but Star Trek ia crap!

Haha awww we’ve hurt Keith’s feelings about the Confed Cup! Sorry mate! Does make me laugh though. If it was being held anywhere else you’d agree with us, and if it was being held in Australia I’d be telling everyone to sod off too!

But Keith I do disagree that this summer’s dealings aren’t critically important. Our current first XI would appear to be peaking, or approaching it’s peak now or soon – we don’t actually have a lot of youngsters in our first XI so I don’t think we’re going to see anyone coming along in leaps in bounds. That’s not to say I don’t think we can and will improve, but I don’t think we can count on that being enough to have us take that extra step. At the end of the day we weren’t good enough to win the premiership, even though we are all “relatively” happy at how close we came.

Here are the current ages of our first 11 or 12 players:

Reina 26 (27 soon)
Carra 31
Skrtel 24
Agger 24
Aurelio 29
Arbeloa 26
Kuyt 28 (29 soon)
Gerrard 29 next week
Alonso 27
Mascherano 24 (25 soon)
Riera 27
Benayoun 29
Torres 25

Lucas 22
Insua 20

I’m not calling us old, but our team is not particularly young, especially our famed “spine”. I believe players like Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun are currently at the peaks of their game. I believe Carra & Aurelio are approaching their decline. For us to take that next step and win the premiership, I think we MUST improve more than just the steady progression of the team staying together another year and us getting a bit of backup around the edges. I’m not calling for wholesale changes of course, far from it, but I think the quality of players we bring in for the positions that need it are absolutely crucial. If we don’t get a quality striker in who can give Torres a rest when he needs it, it will be very very tough for us to win the title, even assuming Torres stays fit more next season, because even if he is fit he WILL get tired and we do play a lot of games when the CL rounds are on. Man U rotate Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov as their main strikers, supported by a lot of goals from Ronaldo. We need to do better than rotating Torres, Ngog, Babel supported by goals from Gerrard/Kuyt/Benayoun. That’s why I think this summer is crucial… and that’s in addition to us needing that cover at right-back and central midfield. I believe we dropped significant points (more than 5, which is significant) this season due to Alonso or Arbeloa missing games.

All the talk about possible moves for Donwing if Boro go down, well looking at the competition ladder, I can’t see how they are not relegated all-ready. Maybe I’m reading ti wrong but even if they win this weekend they can still only reach 3rd last, so therefore get relegated.
.
What’s your take on this, am I reading it wrong.

Gaz…Boro need to win and Hull and Newcastle need to lose. Their goal difference is 4 worse than Hull and they’ve scored less goals so they need a 5 goal swing

Well the truth is, we’ve been upgrading the squad bit by bit every year, so objectively speaking, this summer is no doubt very important, but it shouldn’t be a do or die situation.

At the end of the day, we are always short of cash, so we really shouldn’t be expecting too much excitement in the transfer market.

The only issue that does or would make it into a critical summer is the media backlash. Rafa has supposedly got all the controls over the transfer negotiation, he has “attacked” fungus and we have been the closest ever in the title race. If we fail to get decent cover and additions and end up being, again, second-best or whatever, you know the where the media will be heading.

And apparently, even now, there are some thickhead fans out there thinking that Rafa is a con artist and should be sacked, so once the media start all that stupidity again, you know what those unappreciative chickenheads will start churping away.

I believe we will eventually succeed under Rafa, but I am still uncertain that we can stop the mancs next year. I am not worried about our current top 11 players, but we are still at least 3 or 4 players short of having the depth in squad to compete against the mancs. We are already short in centre-halves (only carra, agger and skrtel to rotate for the 2 spot), a position that has been relatively safe for some time.

Just think, the mancs rotated berbatov, tevez ladyboy and apeman throughout the season, and still had nani who hardly featured. Then there was still Park, who is our equivalent of Kuyt.

We don’t have the money to match the equivalent squad just through this summer transfer.

Judging by the pace of our transfers for the past 5 years (disregarding the board intervention), we can’t expect to complete our squad over one summer because we are not just short of 1 or 2 top quality players, but 3 or 4.

So emotionally, I completely understand that we need to get it just right this summer. Rafa himself has stated that, and I am sure he is more than willing to try to be spot on. And I would hate to see the mancs overcome our record number of league titles. So I am with all of you in your keen earnest to get things right.

But realistically, I think we need to calm down a little bit and get ready to fight back at the media and the swaying fans if and when we again find out that we are a little short in quality in January or february when we miss torres or gerrard thru injury.

If we do get the right players this summer, that’s great, but don’t be too let down if we don’t.
The mancs have constantly bought duds, but they could afford to since they had the bucks to paper over and cover up the mistakes with more signings.

That’s my view, anyway.

FS,
On your comment (76) here is the link about Neil Warnock’s arse licking words for Slur AF:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article6327169.ece

This whole Alonso debate is really getting on my tits, Rafa said he is staying and so did Alonso. Yes if Madrid comes in with a silly bid of excess of 30 mill maybe.

Andy over here we are not as deluded, we know it’s a micky mouse cup but will take it, unlike you Aussie with your Americanism of we are the world. (joke you are not as bad as them… close)

Anyway you cannot just pick and choose the squad to suite your argument and leave out all the youngsters that have played for the first team this year they are all important. We only have 5 players out of 22 that fit into the 28 to 31 peak definition and that is not a lot. Those are the youngsters that will be that much better next year. The ones that will play the Carling cup and FA to give the more established players a breather for the CL and Prem. I hope the likes of Babel, Lucas, Insua, El Zhar, Ngog, San Jose, plus Nemeth and maybe Pacheo can step up a little and bring more to the table. I think we will see a few of them do just that. Let’s face it any contribution from Degen would be an improvement. So yes any new recruits will be vital to our challenge and it will be vital to get it right. However for me is not the make or break people are trying to make it out to be. I always harp back to ManU, when they bought Carrick and I thought fuck he is not good enough to bring them the title and yet the team just needed another year to gel and yes he played a role but was not the defining factor.

Everybody has pointed out that last years signings did not have a great impact apart from Reira and then people are divided about his contribution. Yet look how much better we played this year! That’s my point, important but not make or break.

Anyway some of the players we are linked with are not much older Silva is only 23 and I fancy him to come in. I have every faith Rafa will get it right.

Diego from Werder Bremen.

That’s who me wants to see wearing the Red of LFC next season.

He’s been great at Bremen & has been identified as the replacement fer Ribery at Bayern if he joins the mancs if the winker goes.

Too many ‘ifs’ there, so Rafa should just go & offer 12m + Bundesliga HITMAN Voronin in exchange fer this lad.

This Diego can play both flanks as well as in the hole behind striker.

Me thinks he’s got what it takes to wear our no7 shirt.

C’mon Rafa, sign Diego.

Also in: Glenn Johnson, Barry, Benzema (one can dream rite?)

Out: Dossenna, Deggen, Pennant, Voronin, Ngog & Lucas.

Keith, I see your point. The only difference of opinion seems to be the degree of importance we are placing on the additions this season. We’re just gonna have to see how things pan out.

I’m disappointed in the headline and article in the Daily Post this morning. Reports coming out of Spain that Real have agreed a £23m deal for Alonso. Nonsense

It hasn’t even finished and it’s getting boring already isn’t it?

Mind you, it could just as easily say, it hasn’t started yet and it’s getting boring already.

The transfer window is a full month away lads. You should be used to this shite by now. Don’t be surprised when the Torres, “I’m off,” stories begin. It’s what the English media do. And if you think it’s bad now, wait until next week when they’ve got nothing to fill space with.

Yes Knight mate, that’s from the interview. I listened to it on a podcast and lost the link. It comes over far worse on that. The hypocrisy of the man, now kissing up to the tramp is, well…. Beyond the pale, indeed.

On the same day when they got relegated, we played a weakened team against Fulham in the last game of the season and he said…
“I’m still very bitter about it and personally I hope Liverpool never win another trophy under Benitez. I like them as a club but I would be very pleased to see them win nothing under him again.”

He then went on to encourage not only Sheffield United the club to sue West Ham, but also all the individual players as West Ham had cost them their Premiership earnings. He never quite had the bottle to sue himself though, but he still hasn’t stopped going on about.

When you stop and take a look at football, and everyone in involved in it, it’s not a very nice business. But, yeah… I’m already bored and it hasn’t even stopped yet.

Keith, I wasn’t “picking and choosing players to suit my argument”. I was naming our first team regulars, the only one I forgot was Babel. The players I listed account for probably more than 95% of all the minutes played for by Liverpool players in the premiership this season, OK I forgot Babel but I forgot old man Hyypia too, so I’m sure the average is still the same.

So my point is the same – I believe that the majority of players who are playing the majority of our minutes at the moment are either at their peak, or approaching their peak in the next 1-2 seasons. Based on that, I believe that our “window” for this squad to win premierships is basically upon us right now, in the next few seasons. After that, we will need to bring in more players in other positions to take over from the guys who are ageing. I’m not saying that will stop us from winning titles, but it will be an added difficulty to manage, whereas right now we have a largely settled first team which is probably 1 or 2 first team and 1 or 2 squad players away from winning titles.

I could go on more about what I mean but I’m hoping you get the idea. I totally understand the concept of bringing the youngsters through to try and make the transition from generation to generation as seamless as possible, and I hope some of our youngsters get the chance to get some experience next season. But the fact is, we do NOT have many youngsters getting regular first team action at the moment and the average age of our first team regulars must be around 26 or so.

Keith I know you have great faith in these youngsters coming through, I too have high hopes but perhaps unlike you (?) I don’t see them as being the players who will make the difference in taking us from a 2nd placed side to title winners. I see them being the future of the club in hopefully some of them becoming the next set of first team regulars in around 2 to 3 years time, some longer. Hence, again, if we want to win the title in the next 2 seasons – which must surely be our goal – we need to get the right players in now, this summer. If we don’t, important players like Gerrard, Carra, Alonso and Kuyt will be 1 year older and 1 year closer to starting to go downhill.

That was an interesting article you posted FS. Rafa saying we could well break the transfer record again. As long as we keep Xabi that’s encouraging. Would indicate he has been told he’ll have a couple of quid to spend.

Couple of newspapers saying we’re preparing a £10m bid for Johnson. Another paper says Rafa will offer £15m.

Does anyone know when the fans vote on our player of the season? Every other club seems to have done it.

If Real wanted Alonso that badly how about this deal? Huunterlar + Sneijder + Drenthe + £10m.

It made me laugh actuall LB. Knowing what a sly fucker Rafa is, I sort of read inbetween the lines.

I honestly think it’s all smoke and mirrors, and speculating by ourselves or the media is a waste of time because, I reckon, Rafa already has his targets all sorted out – names, prices, wages, the lot – and not a soul outside of those deals knows a thing about them.

What I did like about the article is the way he snipes at the mancs and the tramp again. A lot of our people reckon he should stop now. I couldn’t disagree more.

Who knows what the sly old bugger is really up to. That whole intrview could be aimed at making man u buy Tevez and spending 20 odd million of their budget without really strengthing the squad anymore and spreading a bit of unrest through their camp. The manc fans might love Tevez, but I’d be a bit pissed off with some of the things he’s said.

But I know one thing, Rafa doesn’t do anything without coldly calculating it first. But whatever the thought is behind the latest dig at the tramp, I think he should have a go at him and them at every opportunity. He’ll get lots of flak for it, but he’s hard enough to take that and, if nothing else, it might just be enough to completely crack that tramp up once and for all.

PS…. Talk Shite and Sly Sports News have spent all morning discussing the manc team that will play Hull.
The media’s thought on all this… Rotation is essential. Sir Alex the Omnipotent is the inventor of this new phenomenon in football and the master of this new master plan. It’s how he has kept his players fresh for not only the end of the season, but for decades – ie. Scholes and Giggs.

Wonder when they’ll start discussing the master’s great new invention – Zonal Marking.

It’s enough to make a pig gagg.

Yestyerday’s timesonline.co.uk said that Rafa would spend £12 mill on Barry and he could spend all the money generated by transfers (incl Keane).Babel and Dossena are on the sales list.

Wonder what they’ll say tomorrow, Rooney, Dixie Dean, Arthur Askey and Susan Boyle. Can’t wait.

Off out now. Here’s a laugh…
ttp://www.footballphotoshop.com/?q=node/314

Listening to TalkShite will turn your brain to jelly.Any media outlet desperate enough to hire Ronnie Irani and Collymore is a fucking joke.Stupid conversation and ads for one van or another would drive anyone to see a shrink.

Well, I suppose that depends on whether you take any notice or not. Meself, if I’m not working, I prefer having that shite on as moving wallpaper instead of Trisha or some other such shite. But then I take no notice of that shite either.

Alright

Long time reader, but haven’t written here until now. Great blog Gerry!

Gradually getting over the loss of the title and turning my focus away from all the disappointing draws, onwards to the future.
People are wondering about transfer activity, understandably, we need a couple of class signings. Hopefully these can be achieved without letting Alonso go…

How about the youth system?? Can we expect players from there stepping up next year? We have heard the names of Nemeth and Pacheco for instance. Seen glimpses of Plessis and Spearing.

Could you possibly have a look into these things Gerry – I for one would love to hear what insights you have and it would give us followers something to chew on.

Re-#117 FS, Mugsy and I hope to see many more Championships BUT just to be on the safe side I want the World Cup to come in 2018 and pray that the Reds have the new stadium by then and I can get a ticket to a game that must come to the “New Anfield”, or watever it’s called.

Jack, great to see you becoming a more regular contributor. Long may that continue, starting with our new season where we will be Champions for the 19th time.

I shall be flying our to Bangkok to see the reds in action there in July. By reds, I don’t mean the Thaksin supporters in dark red shirts. LOL!

I know it’s only newspaper speculation, but……. the Daily Mail has us linked with a bid for Glen Johnson, claiming that Rafa Benitez is willing to pay up to £15m for the Portsmouth right back. I hope we can get him for around £10-12m but I really like this lad and feel he would add some much needed pace to our defensive ranks. Fingers crossed on that one.

Alonso exit rumours (Real Madrid) are also doing the rounds. I hope we can keep him, but I think Rafa would let him go for around £25-30m.

Steve this is what Guillem Ballague has to say about the Alonso rumours:

Some incorrect reports have emerged elsewhere suggesting that a deal has already been done to take Xabi Alonso to the Bernabeu…

One of our readers has asked: “Guillem, can you shed anymore light on the rumours surrounding Xabi Alonso and the reports that he has already struck a deal with Madrid.”

I`m very glad you have asked that question actually, because it is very important as far as Xabi Alonso is concerned that the truth is known. As I have previously reported here: yes, it is true that Alonso is a target for Florentino Perez – the favourite candidate to win this summer`s elections at the Bernabeu – and yes, it is also true that Alonso has a price.

However, contrary to some reports that have surfaced recently, Xabi Alonso has not signed a pre-contract agreement with Florentino Perez – nor has he reached any kind of deal with the candidate. Nor have Alonso`s representatives held talks with Rafa Benitez to discuss a move. Any talk of a deal being done comes very much from the Florentino Perez camp, but at this moment in time, this talk has not manifest itself in action.

To add to that a spokesman at Liverpool has come out and said there has been no contact with regards to Alonso and in any case he is not for sale. I agree LB if Real want to pay silly money Rafa might be tempted, lets hope the borrowers are out come this summer and Rafa does not need to sell to bring in more quality. After the season Alonso has had Rafa would be very reluctant to let him go at any price especially with how close we came to winning the prem, after all he is anything but stupid.

Can you see Rafa phoning the Daily Mail and telling them he is prepared to spend 15 mill on Glen Johnson? He broke off the negotiations with Silva because his interest was leaked, he plays everything very close to his chest. These hacks are putting two and two together and getting 5. P’Smith owe Liverpool money and they also need to sell and on top of that we need a right back. He was bought for 12 mill so 15 should be about right. I cannot see Rafa spending 15 mill on a right back when he only wants to pay that fro Silva.

We might as well get used to all these sensationalized headlines and take them for what they are utter crap and utter fabrication. Don’t be surprised to see Silva at Liverpool and Rafa to unearth a couple of gems in them other positions.

Does anybody rate Valencia, I thought he was quite OK, fast, tricky maybe worth a nibble?

Valencia is a wicked player. I’m afraid the “nibble” would cost £20m+ as Real and Man Utd have long been interested in him apparently.

Right lads, took me a bit of time to catch-up since I have been out-of-action for the last few days. Fucking tore my calf muscle playing footie at me kids school and am just about mobile again. So Timmy/Dougle, there’ll be Ireland trip for me. Maybe the next time eh.

Some goods points and I agree with Andy that with this current spine we have another 2-3 seasons max before a re-fit is needed, but no major changes are needed short-term.

I am with Hyde and a few others that this transfer window is not as important as some are making out. Basically we need backup for FT and some cover in central mid (barry/sneijder would do for) and some more strength down the right side for Arbie.

I think that it’s great that Rafa is still having has sly comments about the tramp and long may it continue. As this rate of going I think that the tramp will have a mental breakdown within two seasons and retire a grumpy bitter twisted fucker

Finally how does Rafa only have 20 mill to spend this summer? For the amount of money that he has earned this club, it is nothing short of a disgrace. Although, it will make it all the sweeter once we win the league!

He’s more than ok Keith, great player. I definitely rate him. We were linked with him briefly last summer if I remember correctly. I dont want to rush Sami’s goodbye party but I just cant wait til this final game is over. Once the title was gone I was already thinking about August. Hopefully our deals will be done early and swiftly and then Rafa can come out and say ‘thats it, we’re done, now shut the fuck up’. Unlikely I know but wouldent it be sweet.

Btw, speaking of sundays game I hope Robbie gets a good reception, I think he will.

Keith, I’m sure your’e right about Rafa not phoning the Daily Mail. I would think they got their feed from someone else other than Rafa.

It may just be that they assume we are looking for a right back, and Glen Johnson would fit the bill. If it happens, they will claim an exclusive.

The plot thickens on the Alonso rumours then LB, I just hope he stays.

The rumours are 99% bullshit Steve

It’s the other 1 per cent that worries be LB!

Obviously, I really hope you are right, Xabi is a top player and we know we can rely on him.

You know what they say about the rumours, no smoke without fire. I’m am just slightly concernred about it, maybe about 1 per cent’s worth of concern.

Do you rate Glen Johnson? Do you hope that rumour is true? I certainly do!

I rate Glen Johnson big time. He’s great going forward and can cross a ball. He can actually dribble past players. His defending can leave a bit to be desired at times though.

Portsmouth still owe us £7m according to reports so you never know. One thing I’m sure of is Rafa aint spending £10m-£15m of his budget on a right back.

**NOTE TO KOPBLOG USERS** – We had to undergo some technical upgrades overnight on 21/5. A few people’s comments were lost here. Many apologies. – Max @ TIA

Lads, how much would you sell Alonso for?

Personally i love the lad and wish he stays. Xabi seems to be one of the calmest players and really settles the team down and provides assurance. Whenever i see his name on the team sheet I feel a little bit better.

But if Real offered 35-40mil pounds (i know this is fantasy talk here) would you take that amount?

Even the official Liverpool website has now joined in the condemnation of that shameless prick that is Steve Cohen. Good for them. Continue to apply the pressure until he cracks and shits bricks.

liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164483090521-1657.htm

FS previously stated an important fact:

We made the best signing this year in Rafa Benitez.

I totally agree.

But we have now done one better.

We have signed Jose Segura. We are looking rosier by the year.
Fergie’s Fledgelings?? Sod off. We will soon be seeing Benitez’s Bambinos!

——-
RAFA BENITEZ’S Academy revolution has continued with the appointment of a top Spanish coach to oversee youth development at Liverpool.

The Reds boss has moved swiftly to recruit fellow countryman Jose “Pep” Segura as the new technical manager at the Academy which is based in Kirkby.

Benitez has long held concerns at the standard of player being produced at the Academy and having recently been given decision making powers over Liverpool’s youth system he has already instigated a number of changes which he believes will deliver the necessary improvements.

48-year-old Segura was formerly technical director at Barcelona’s academy and played an integral role in the development of a whole host of top stars including Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdes, Bojan Krkic, Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Everton’s Mikel Arteta.
—————

Hyde, Wow, powerful stuff on Jose Segura. Thanks. That’s why I love coming to this site. Lots more good news than what you get in the English tabloids.

not sure about iniesta, cause i heard that he had already broken into the first team when segura started that post at barca…still, he is clearly a very, very good developer of talent (and scout)

YNWA

This is more like the Rafa we know and love

Supposed to have made a bid for Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi, 24, Argentinean striker with Napoli as back up to Torres

As well as sending scouts to watch 22 year old French winger Kevin Gameiro, been getting rave reviews in France

And young Dutch striker Luc Castaignos (16) being compared to Henry in style.

Iniesta was in the Barca B team coached by Segura between 2000-2002. He broke into the first team 2002-03.

Keith, €22m bid for Ezequiel Iván Lavezzi? That’s around £19m and apprently was rejected. That is a lot of money for a dude I hadn’t heard of.

Keith the young dutch striker just signed a 3 year deal with a two year option, this week with his own team.
.
Rafa wont be in for Lavezzi at that price, I think we were hoping to get him for under 10. His goal ratio isn’t that great but he has been hampered with an injury. So I’ve heard from other sites.
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Haven’t even heard of the third lad. I thought we were watching Gouryev of something similar.

Sorry lads the players name was Gourcoff who is playing in France. Lavezzi has 7 from 28 games and is currently injured with a thigh problem, has been out for 4 weeks. I think it’s his agent looking for a pay rise.

Yoann Gourcuff plays for Bordeaux. Watched him a few times. He’s 23 or 24 and can be a good addition. Need to have a better look at him to make an opinion now.

It’s just incredible how these names keep popping up, a couple new ones each day!!

Lavezzi is a pretty good player. BTW, Napoli have pretty decent players who are not that high profile a name like Mauro Zarate (although he has started to attract attention) Hamsik and Mannini.

But I bet rafa is going even further to draw an unexpected name.

I wouldn’t be too drawn with the names coming up at this point.

Good article on Lavezzi here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/sep/04/udinese.europeanfootball

Even talks about him skinning one Andrea Dossena during a Serie A game a couple of years back… He’s a second striker, so would presumably play off Torres. He’s also one of about 400 players to have been dubbed the new Maradonna, especially as he currently plays for Napoli.

I’ve got it ALL sorted gentlemen.

Kitty: £20m + Keane money (£16m)

Sell:
Voronin £4m
Leto £2m
Anderson £0.8m
Hobbs £0.4m
Babel £8m
Dossena £4m
Total £55.2m

Get rid:
Pennant £2m trimmed off wage bill
Itandje £1m off wage bill

Buy:
Silva £20m
Tevez £22m
Barry £9m
Johnson £5m (£12-£7m=£5m)
Total £56m

Celebrate:
19th League title 2009-10

I like your plan very much LB, that would have to be considered an excellent Summers work. Hyde we get serie A games over here every wknd on Fox soccer channel and every time I’ve watched Napoli this season Zarate has scored a screamer, I mean without fail everytime. From what I’ve seen of him he looks the business. Keith do you remember the last young Dutch striker we got who was supposed to be comparable to Henry in style?! Lets hope if we get him he’s not!

Wasn’t Cheyrou the new Zidane?

If they’re French, they’re the new ZZ.
If they’re Argentinian, they’re the new Maradonna.
If they’re Brazillian, they’re the new Pele.
Wonder who this fella from Papuya New Guinea will be?

I remember after El Hajd Diouf’s debut the papers were comparing him to Ian St John.

Sean Dundee was compared to Mr Blobby!

LB, I like your list. It is a good proposal. I am sure it is on the top of all the papers on Rafa’s table at the moment.

Before he came in Babel was touted as the new Thierre Henry. Look where the similarities or rather differences are now…

Knight, I’ve faxed my proposal to Rafa’s office.

this alonso speculation has got me thinking a bit.

of course the club doesn’t REALLY want to sell him, and of course he would want to go that extra hurdle next year and win the prem, and of course we always have a chance of doing well in the CL, and of course he is getting enough time on the pitch to guarantee a world cup spot for spain…

but what worries me, is that the club would obviously consider cashing in on him if a good bid came in. not to mention, we’ve all seen those stories that he and his wife want to raise their kids in spain. moreover, he might see it as his opportunity to nail down a starting 11 position for spain’s national team for the world cup…if you start and play well for real madrid, you basically are guaranteed a starting position for the spanish national team. not that liverpool is a lower profile club in the world, but these combinations of factors might lead to his leaving us. i really really hope not, it would be a big mistake i think. if you go back and watch our goals from this year, i would estimate that 75% of them start with alonso setting up the attack with a long ball into space, or an exquisite through-ball to put someone through. its really amazing to see the highlights. not even just our goals that we scored, but highlights where we created clear chances, it almost always starts with alonso. for my money, in the top 3 central midfielders in the world.

Alec if a good money bid comes in Rafa will cash in, he’s shown himself to be ruthless in that department. If he can strengthen the team to his satisfaction while only loosing one player he’ll do it.
.
Forget about the he’s not for sale statements, everyone has a price, it’s a business. Remember Robbie Keane wasn’t going anywhere, remember the press conference with Rafa two days before he went back to the Spuds.
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If it serves a purpose Rafa will do it.
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Here is a question, if we could buy Silva, Tevez and Barry with money from the sale of SG would he sell him. What would you do.
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Last but not least isn’t it Rick Parry’s last game this week. All the best Rick will always remember you as the person who stopped SG name being on some blue plastic flag.

Gaz, in my opinion Stevie G is priceless. You just cant buy any number of players like him (Unless you are offered 200mil pounds).

Surely Rafa wont let Xabi go for under 25mil pounds? I mean, i would only consider 35mil pounds ( i know im thinking like fantasy league, but i honesly believe Xabi is vital) considering we will need to replace him with another quality CM.

Gaz, dunno what you read at the time or what your basing that comment on but you’ve got the wrong end of the stick on that one mate. Parry was almost single handedly responsible for Stevies departure after the final in 05. He signed up Didi the day before he went on vacation and left Stevie twisting in the wind for 2 wks thus initiating a media transfer frenzy. In his book Stevie says it was the intervention of Moores, who called a meeting to end the whole debacle, that prevented him from being sold.

Well we all get differing information but I still think he’s done a hell of a lot for LFC so deserves a send off. As does anyone who’s been part of this club, good luck to Sami, hope to see you back soon.

He did sign Rafa, which was his best bit of business and eventual downfall.

Funny how it works out!

ttp://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/23/rafa-benitez-makes-peace-with-sir-alex-ferguson-in-letter-after-horror-smash-115875-21381893/

Gaz i know every player has a price but why sell him because we get offered £30 million?

In that case why not sell Torres to citea for £50 million while were at it?

We are Liverpool football club not tottenham hotspur fc.We are very close to winning the title and guys are in here thinking it would make sense to sell one of our best players.

IMO there is only one player around who could replace Alonso immediately and thats Barcelona`s Xavi.

Somehow i don`t think he`ll be coming here.

Anyway we don`t need to sell Alonso.With player sales and money from the borrowers and some shrewd business from Rafa we could land Silva for £25,Barry for £8 and johnson for £10.

With all the talk of improving our attacking right hand side (which i fully agree with even though kuyt has been a revelation this season) what do all you guys think about moving babel across from the left instead of shipping him on? He appears to be quite one-footed and so he’s always forced to cut back inside when he tries to beat defenders out on the left. By moving across he can beat them to the bylin with his natural pace (something which used to be standard fare for past liverpool wingers) and get in a cross thats curling away from the keeper rather than towards him.

Also, to contribute to the idle transfer speculation what about signing someone like stephen ireland from man city? His vision and range of passing have been outstanding and in my mind he should have been the young player of the year, although someone like sneijder or van der vaart may be too good to pass up if the clear out comes from madrid.

Timmy, on top of this, even if we did get Xavi to replace Alonso, there is no guarantee that he would settle in Liverpool. Add to this the time he would take to adapt to Rafa’s formations and speed of the premiership. There are just too many unknowns and it just does not make sense to sell Alonso, if we want to win the league next year.

In fact none of the core first XI should be touched, with the fringe (hate that word) players being sacrificed to make up the difference if necessary.

3-0 to the Reds 2moro, goals from Gerrard 21, 37 and Torres 68.Selling Andy V, Babel, El Zahr,Degen ,Dossena and Riera will bring in £21 million-plus the £13 mill from Keane and the £12 mill transfer budget gives Rafa £46 mill to buy 5 quality players.The Youth team looked well short last night.Is Antonio Barragan staying with Deportivo?.

i dont see rafa selling el zhar or riera.

YNWA

i would not be surprised to see that all this silva business is just bogus stories. valencia might want to sell, but they will try and stiff us for the dosh…i bet rafa might be looking at someone like lavezzi at napoli. incredible talent – argentine playmaker. not as high profile as silva but will be soon.

either way, rafa will make the best decision

Alec i think we need at least one established top player if we are to improve our forward line and help us make that final push to the title.

Silva would fit that bill no doubt,but at a price.If Rafa wants him he should go get him,if he dosen`t he won`t.I think they were already talking to valencia so he must have some interest in him.

If we did get him and added Barry and a right back like Johnson it would be good business and would strengthen our squad considerably.

Great post in 187 Timmy, pretty much my thoughts too. James M, dont know if thats your first post but its the first of yours I’ve read and like Timmys its great! If your a longtime blog reader you might know that I fully endorse a move for Ireland. Superb footballer who can play in the middle or as a link man, making him an ideal replacement for Gerrard or Xabi when they’re injured. Plus I read in the guardian the other day there is major conflict btwn him and city at the moment. I’d take him in a heartbeat

I am not sure if it would be wise to make a move for Ireland, especially if it would be a back-up player for Alsono/Gerrard i.e. a very expensive squad player

Also did he not say that his granny was dead in order to skip a match a while back? I think there were mitigating circumstances but still!

BTW, Hertha Berlin are getting beat 2 nil at the moment and will not qualify for the CL. So there’s another few million down the drain.

First of all… Farewell Hyypia. May the legend do well in his new path. Thanks for the many memories!

Personally, I would rather we get a right back first before another Central Midfielder.

Babel should start playing as second striker from next season and Insua should get more games at left back.

It’s our right back that I feel needs a quality player who can overlap and put in decent crosses.

Satyromaniaman,Bring back rob jones!

I`m with lurgan on the Ireland thing Digger,he`s a fine player but he`d be too expensive to sign as a back up player.Doubt he`d come in that capacity anyway.

Anyone watch the youths last night,they got a bit of a pasting by the arse youths.Jack wilsher ran the show for the gunners.I was impressed with david amu for liverpool he has lightning pace.

Hertha finished fourth i think only three qualify for the champions league.

Wolfsburg won the league.

Hertha lost to the bottom team? Useless. Congrats to Wolfsburg!

Maybe we can buy a Wolfsburg striker. Offer them cash + Voronin They have 2 wicked strikers. Slaughtered Werder Bremen 5-1 damn.

Good news: Iniesta and Henry back in training and likely to return for the CL final.

Yeah your probably right Tim, great player but would be too expensive for us to sit on the bench. Ah well, what would silly season be without wishlists eh?! Dident see the youths game but read the match report in the Guardian, yeah they waxed lyrical about Wilshere’s performance. Dident have too many kind words for us, portrayed us as almost Stoke-like!

Great result with a 3-1 win against Spurs. Torres, Kuyt and Benayoin on the score sheet and Keane did it for Spurs. The noise of Hyppia coming on and taking the arm band from SG whom he replaced was just deafening. And he nearly scored too. Well done to Hyppia!