Thanks for everything Sami. A true red legend

Great Blog on Great Footballer.
I hope like you Gerry that Rafa and Stevie G
give Sami the Captains Armband one last time.
He might not have been the fastest Player on the pitch but he made up for it in his reading of the game.
He will truly be missed at Anfield.
We fortunate that we got to see him in a red shirt.
Let’s hope he comes back when his playing days are over.

What a sweet goal he scored against Juventus in the CL eh?? Will never forget it…:)

remember it well Idhawan, taken like a true center-back

Nice tribute Gerry, SH was a great player for LFC.

God bless you for devoting this blog to him. He gave all he had to LFC for 10 years. Sami Hyypia, true LFC legend!

All the best the big finn.
Maybe it was his decision of leaving that made Dagger sign that new contract. I have mixed feelings over this. But well that’s my conspiracy theory anyway.

Nice assist by Gourguff today. A sweet free kick.

Super stuff Gerry.

A fitting tribute to on of our finest centre halfs.He`ll be sorely missed by both fans and staff alike.

I hope Rafa will let sentiment rule his head on this one tomorrow.Starting him IMHO will not handicap our chances.He has never let us down to this point.Some of his performances this season have been nothing short of exceptional.

All the best big man and thank you for the memories.

Kopper, don’t see any conspiracy theory but pure natural progression. Rafa told the big man that he would not get much match-time next season but offered a coaching role to sweeten the offer.

Hyypia said no and that he still wanted to play and went to Germany. I respect his decision and wish him all the best.

A great player, a great servant and a great man to boot. I hope and think that we have not seen the last of him at Anfield.

Timmy, like you, I hope Sami starts but can see him only on the bench. However, I am pretty sure that he will appear at some stage though.

Excellent blog, Gerry.
Sami’s a true legend….thank you.

What a goal he scored against Arsenal in the CL!

I would imagine it will be a big day for Sami, all the best for the future, He is a champ. Good blog Gerry and some good points about his calming influence, Agger seems to have that calmness about him when he’s on the ball. I would however like someone strong in the air at CB as I think our current bunch are less adept at that aspect of the game.

In stevieGs book he says that Liverpool lacked a presence in the air before Sami arrived… I hope we find someone to replace him as we are not as strong in the air now that he has (will) be gone……

Wonderful CB, good luck in the future Big Sami

The rags are at it again.They won`t leave this alonso thing go.According to the NOTW he`s handed in a transfer request.

I hate silly season!!!

Does that iraq goals site still work? Every time I try it it seems to be down. Recovering from being attacked at work last night…..bitten by a drunk! Now have to wait on hepatitis and AIDS tests. Hopefully get to watch the match online somewhere today

Holy shit Mickey! Hope you went Chuck Norris on the psycho. Good blog Ger, nice tribute. Sami Hypia I salute you, thanks for the memories Sam.

The match is been shown by Shitanta Sports Ireland so I’m sorted, but with them showing it there should be plenty of strong streams about. This is the site I normally use which is usually quite good.http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/

i think this shows babel is definitely off this summer.

myp2p.eu usually comes in handy when finding online games

Try ww.myp2p.eu

big sami, anfield legend.

There goes the golden gloves award for pepe
and irony is that Robbie is the one to end it..

All the best big Sami, the respect everyone has for him shows what a true legend he is.

Newcastle relegated… kapow. They didn’t deserve to stay up.

Mickey Owen in the championship next season…

Shearer really should have remained on the telly

Owen wont be in the championship next season. Expect a fire sale at Newcastle.

…if he could get a buyer to match his “title” ambition and salary demands

I think you’ll find he’ll be willing to take a substantial pay cut.

THANK YOU LEGEND SAMI FOR YOUR SERVICES AND ALL THE HAPPINESS YOU’VE GIVEN US!

In any all time great Liverpool 11 list, you will certainly be assured of a place amongst them for me.

A pity Pepe couldn’t make the Golden Boots award, ironic that it was Robbie Keane ended it.

Still, credit to Robbie for being courteous enough to not celebrate his goal in Anfield. Though he only serviced us for half a season, you still did your best, so I salute you.

But even that couldn’t take away the sentimental value of Sami captaining the side to victory, even if it’s just for 10 minutes, it’s more than enough.

As for Newcastle, they have themselves to blame for constantly sacking their managers. They’ll probably go into a period of Dark Ages just like Leeds before they can even think of ever coming back. Whoever takes control of Liverpool take note: Remember Leeds and Newcastle.

I heard Gollum wanted to take him.. for the smaller merseyside club?

Kinny… not the golden boot…
Its the golden gloves…

Not to forget..
Congratulations to Torres on his 50th goal in red in 2 seasons for Liverpool..

There’s been a lot of talk this week on BBC and Sly Sports about manager of the season but worst manager of the season?? For the collapse of his side I want to mention Moaning O’Neill. Checking on the BBC website I see their record since the turn of the year was W6 D6 L6. Can’t really get more average than that. (or satanic). This is the man who when riding high was linked with the Scum and England. From keeping Arsenal out of the Champ League they collapsed to 6th…and have you noticed that there has been very very little media coverage of Villa ever since then???

Back around Christmas I remember looking at a gambling website and the odds for the Premiership minus the Big 4 were, Villa 1/5 Everton 66/1. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

I know Hull’s collapse was worse and their manager is a twat for what he did at half time at Cihy but they don’t have the millions our Marty had available.

Rant concluded.

Well done today lads.Gerry i didn`t know the match was on shitanta ireland until you posted it but it was the 65th min before i read your post.

So its 86 points.Not a bad total eh lads?Lets hope we build on this.All the best Sami,hope to see you at anfreld in the summer.Kudos also to robbie keane for not celebrating his goal,sorry it didn`t work out for you at Anfield,we all know how much you wanted it.Fair play.

I thought Sammi was unlucky to have his header cleared off the line,
if he’d have scored that the whole place would have gone mental .
Still a nice send off anyway for a true LFC legend.
Now we need to worry about Alonso as Barry could be going to MCFC
not that i think Barry is a patch on Alonso.
As for Lavezzi,cousins in Naples think he’s the second coming or something
and will be gutted if he leaves for liverpool, though he would do well in a better
team
PS When he went back to spurs in Jan i knew Keane would score against us on
the last day of the season.
YNWA

Can`t see Barry going to citea.He wants to play CL football at this stage of his career.Citea are miles away from that at the moment.Realistically,they`ll be challenging for europa cup next season.It takes time to build a team good enough to break into the top four.They will have to build gradually every year.Despite there financial clout,they will find it hard to attract the very best players straight away.Looks like they are willing to back Hughes and let him lay a foundation next season maybe then make a right push for it the following season.

I love you Sami Hyypia. I mean I really really love you man, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. You have been majestic not only this season, but every season.

They said your legs had gone – what legs? I had been saying this for ages, that your greatest strength was your anticipation of danger. Watching you this season against our rivals, both domestic and foreign, you have been a joy. Called up at the last second at Old Trafford, and not batting an eyelid is testament to your stature at el-FC (you like that?)

Sami Hyypia is without doubt, well in our top five CDs ever. Yes! He is akin to Lawro and Hansen. People forget that he has had to deal with a game faster paced than our lauded legends have had to. It’s mostly said that L and H were the best ever pairing at the back. Maybe! But could Hansen head the ball as authoritatively as Sami? Could Lawro pick a pass with either feet like Sami? And that’s just the boring old defending stuff, look at his goal tally which is greater that H&L put together. He played in Europe for all his time with Liverpool, which can’t be applied to H&L due to the 6yr ban.

What attackers did L&H have to deal with back in the day? Let’s list Frank Stapleton, Mark Hughes, Andy Gray, Graeme Sharp, Kerry Dixon, Gary Lineker, Alan Brazil and yer man from Spurs (can’t remember name) who scored a packet – as the most potent strikers of the day.

That’s not to take away from the achievements of Messrs L&H – but to highlight the fact that L&H didn’t have to deal with Ronaldo, Rooney, Van Nistelrooy, Zola, Henry, Shevchenko, Drogba, Shearer, Michael Owen, Et’o, Kluivert and many others. Both Hansen and Lawrenson’s careers ended prematurely due to injury at around the same age of 32ish. And both sat at the back of emergent and potent strike-forces who were the old-school first line of defense. Perspective anyone?

Is this not the stuff of legend? People are skirting about; not wishing to offend the esteem with which L&H are mentioned – but for the fact that circumstances conspired, Sami would have won many medals if his talent and commitment was matched elsewhere on the pitch.

I shed a man tear for you – Sami, we love you!

Gerry, A great tribute to a great man and wonderful LFC legend. Wish Sammi every success in Germany. Pity his header was blocked yesterday.

Lads, I know it’s only a small thing and might seem like a hassle – but the Liverpoolfc.tv main site is holding it’s end of season voting for various awards. A few blogs ago the consensus in here seemed to be that Alonso is our player of the season, and I certainly agree, so I signed up to the main site especially and cast my vote.

Obviously Gerrard is getting a lot of votes but Alonso is not far behind, and I just think Alonso really deserves the recognition. You never know, if there does happen to be any grain of truth to the stories about him considering leaving, or Rafa considering selling him, this is one of the only ways on the internet fan can have their voice heard.

We all love our big finn and he deserves it for giving us his 10 best years.

On the other hand, look what AC Milan fans did to their Captain fantastic farewell. A disgrace. Maldini didn’t deserve that after 25 years (that’s a life time in any business) of service.

The AC Mafia fans just went down in my esteem

YNWA

Sami will be a success wherever he chooses to play but ought to reincarnate at Anfield as a coach in future. His soberness, calmness, leadership, grace and humility will stand him in good stead to head the Reds, or at least play a major part in their future fortunes). I can’t possibly add to what’s been said already about this legend but what a player!

I thought he ought to have played from the start, and also been given a chance to captain his beloved Reds in his last game at Anfield. He’s also earned a testimonial, and it was a pity his header (deja vu) didn’t go in.

Is there a better embodiment of professionalism than Big Sami? Few clubs are as blessed as the Reds in terms of history, achievements and players like Hyypia, Kuyt, Torres, Gerrard, Carra……..

I’ll miss your big mop of blond hair. All the best Sami Hyypia.

Andy Alonso dosen`t need some internet vote to show him the fans are behind him.He already knows that.If he wants to leave(IMO is only rag talk anyway),he`ll leave.

If you say so timmy, I haven’t talked to Xabi recently so I figured trying to win him an award he deserves couldn’t hurt. I just think too many less educated supporters automatically select Gerrard as their player of the season every year. I read an interview Alonso did with Jan Molby where he basically said that he doesn’t think his position is appreciated as much as it should be (not said in a moaning way mind you, just a comment he made).

Beat me to it Timmy.

Kudos for Keane for not celebrating his goal, as he could have really put two fingers up to everyone. I also hear that he was on the ‘late late show’ the other week and just said that it ‘did not work out’ at liverpool and no hard feelings.

Good player and a great guy. Wish him all the best in the future, except when he playing us of course.

I think Xabi has had a fantastic season Andy,his best in a red shirt but to say anyone who voted for Gerrard is uneducated is well off the mark.

Xabi is up there but i think Gerrard was our player of the season.And don`t you think people pick gerrard as our player of the year every year maybe because he is our best player every year?

All i`m saying Andy is the fans awarding him player of the year will have absolutley no bearing on weather he leaves or not.Yes it would do no harm but wouldn`t influence his decision.

And i wasn`t talking to Xabi recently either Andy it was just my opinion.

Does anybody know what the Reds home form was like in the 1988 season?.86 points is the highest ever points total for a team that finished second, ditto the goal difference of +50.Hyypia is the 4th best defender the club has had.

Great stuff Tim, pretty much agree with all of that. Kopper, why did the Milanese go down in your esteem? I thought they gave Maldini a nice send off no? Just curious, I watched the game, maybe you saw something I dident?

Digger, I heard that the San Siro was only half-full and the ‘fans’ were booing at the end, probably at the result.

Can’t be sure though.

Thanks Lurgan. Yep they were certainly pissed with the result, Fiorentina can pip Milan to the last automatic c.l spot now on the last day. Btw it was a cracking game, roma won 3-2, end to end stuff, most untypical for Italian football. However, when the anger subsided and Maldini began his lap of honour they gave him a fantastic standing ovation. I just thought maybe kopper saw something bad from a mindless minority or something.

“Xabi has three years left on his contract,” said Benitez. “We are really pleased with him and we don’t want to sell. I had a private conversation with his agent.

“ My idea is very clear, he has three years left and we don’t want to sell him.

“He has said he is happy here. He is saying that in every single interview.

“We want to keep key players, the spine of the team. If we want to do business we can do it with other players. It’s not a question of selling players we don’t want to sell.”

Timmy I didn’t say that anyone who votes for Gerrard as player of the season is uneducated. I said I think a lot of uneducated people just pick Gerrard every year. That’s not the same thing. The ‘educated’ punters may go either way between Alonso and Gerrard, whereas others who may not have watched every game during the season (and there are plenty of those out there) just vote for Gerrard because he is their favourite.

FS put an article up here some weeks ago in which Rafa said one small thing which helped tip the balance for him signing a new contract was a flag that one guy on the Kop brought every week (“Siempre es possible” or something like that). He said it reminded him of how the fans understand the situation and what he is trying to achieve, and what great support they give, and helped convince him to stay. I’m suggesting to anyone out there who thinks Alonso was our player of the season, it would be nice for him to win the award because we believe he deserves it. It is highly likely (I hope) that we’ll keep him and that he doesn’t want to leave, but hey even if there’s 0.1% in it, it was worth 5 minutes of my time to cast a vote which tells Alonso I think he’s the dogs bollocks.

Maybe you should email that to all the rags LB so they can get it into their silly minds that Rafa DOSE NOT want to sell Xabi Alonso.

I turned on the telly yesterday morning and the supplement thing was on sly sports where all the “expert” journo`s talk football.One guy i can remember his name but he always creams himself over the mancs was saying he can`t understand why Rafa wants to “get rid” of alonso.He went on to say that Masch is one of the best if not the best defensive midfielder in the world and is puzzled as to why Rafa refuses to play him enough.

Unbelievable stuff.I turned it off immediately.Don`t know why i even turned it on in the first place.These guys are meant to be the countries top football journalists.It makes you wonder what fools employ these imbeciles.

As i said before andy there is no harm in voting him player of the season.If he gets it there will be no complaints from me.I think gerrard deserves it on his performances alone with xabi a close second.

Great blog, Gerry. It is fitting that with everything that has happened over this wonderful season, the end-of-season blog finishes with the tale of one of our most successful imports ever.

Centre-backs hardly get the recognition they deserve unless they are a manc, and this is certainly the case with Sami.
It is just so unfortunate that he signed when he did– if he was just 2 or 3 years younger, he could have put his hands on the premiership title. If anyone in our team deserves it alongside Carra and sg, it is Sami.

FS had a lovely way of saying it– when you consider the fact that a shite player like David May has a CL and a premiership medal in his collection, it is just so sad seeing the big finn go without that long-awaited medal.

Life can be brutal to the most genuine of people.

Thanks for your loyal and consistent service, Sami. Hope to see you back soon.
(Great tribute by the fans at anfield, btw)

SG putting the captain’s armband on Sami’s arm yesterday was the moment that stood out for me.

Sami, Anfield Legend!

Saying that digger, supposedly there was nearly 73,000 at the San Siro yesterday. I can only assume that this includes season ticket holders, who didn’t turn up.

If it is true what Kopper says, what a shire of shite that AC Milan fans are. Not disrepecting Sami here but Maldini IS A LEGEND in anyone’s language.

could be a bit of match on here – burnley vs Shef Utd:

veetle.com/viewChannel.php?cid=4a0d017b77088

I got a stark reminder of why I don’t read tabloids. David Maddock did a real hatchet-job on Rafa. He that po-faced Rafa, spoiled the occasion for Sami. Wtf? And “not even” Rafa could take away the respect of the Liverpool fans from Sami. “Not even”? Like, not even the moustache-twirling cruel dictator that Rafa is, could hatch a plan to rain on the parade.

“Maybe when he reflects on his actions this morning, Rafa Benitez will consider he got it wrong yesterday.

After 464 matches for Liverpool, he chose to allow Sami Hyypia just six minutes of action in his farewell match at Anfield.

Had the centre-half been a charity case, then that would have been fair enough.

But many would argue he has been his side’s best defender on the rare occasions he has started this season.

He is certainly still good enough to have played in a game that didn”t matter, and Benitez ended this contest being booed – vociferously – by his own fans.

Afterwards, the manager tried to defend his actions, saying: “I thought it would have been perfect for Sami to go on in the final minute, but the fans were pushing and pushing.”

What would have been perfect would for Hyypia to have gone OFF in the final minute.

But that shouldn’t detract from the fact that in his time at Anfield the giant Finn has become a true legend of the club.

Not even Benitez can take that away from him, and the tears that Hyypia tried unsuccessfully to fight away at the end was testimony to that.”

And another thing that he pointed out was that none of the 40m Rafa had spent, started the game. Well david, what about the actual players who did start? Did he get those signings right? That’s you’re implying that Rafa had signed the wrong men. And their line-up on the final day told of another grave mistake.

“Of the six signings manager Rafa Benitez made last summer, not one started against Spurs, and the biggest of those signings was actually playing for the opposition.

Benitez spent £40million on those signings, and yet not one made a major impact on their season. If they are to challenge next time, then that simply can’t be allowed to happen this summer.”

What an asshole!

Those bastards are even looking for sticks to beat Rafa with as the season ends.Oh if he wins us the title all this crap written about him will make it twice as sweet!

Congrats to burnley.Good to see another new club in the league.Looking forward to playing them.

Came across this on lfctv website
McBarnes from Red All Over the Land pens this poem called My eyes have seen the Glory, inspired by the Liverpool banner in Istanbul of the same name.

An army amassed just like centuries before, in a city made famous by sieges of yore.

Where Constantinople and Byzantium once stood,
A new army now did descend like a flood.

An army of thousands in livery of red, Liverbirds on their chests and a dream in their heads.

With smiles on their faces and songs in their hearts,
of hope a new era was waiting to start.

Stood on the North Tribune I looked all around, a sea of red swamping three sides of the ground.

Flags, scarves and banners that covered the crowd, a show of red strength to make Chairman Mao proud.

I surveyed the scene in awe and in bliss, How could we fail on a stage such as this?

I reckoned without an AC Milan team, with the class to make nightmares out of our dreams.

And so it transpired in a half straight from hell, a Maldini sucker punch straight from the bell.

With two blows from Crespo five minutes apart, Milan drove a dagger through Liverpool’s heart.

We staggered and reached the refuge of half time, our worst fears were realised, 3-0 behind.

Ashen-faced Reds with their heads in their hands, slumped in despair on the steps of the stand.

An anger rose in me, but not with the team, where was the 12th man? Was Chelsea a dream?

We had to show pride, try to lift them somehow, we’d come much too far to give up on them now.

Somebody somewhere had shared the same thought, my faith was restored in our famous support.

YNWA grew in strength, as did I, and I sang, as if it was for the last time.

Looking back now I can’t honestly say, that as I sang, I thought we would find a way to come back, but I wanted the whole world to see,
We still had pride, we were still Liverpool FC.

That chorus will live on in legend and lore, Cruyff said he had heard nothing like it before.

Maradona said it made him convert to a Red, Luis said it spurred them to rise from the dead.

Then came the reverse of our first half ordeal, six minutes of mayhem that didn’t seem real.Six glorious minutes that none will forget, when Stevie and Xabi and Vlad found the net.

Milan came again but at each turn were foiled, once more a siege played out on Istanbul soil.

As the seconds ticked down, the Redmen stood tall, though their muscles screamed ‘stop’ they ploughed on through it all.

Then came the moment God’s will became known, The ball fell to Shevchenko with Dudek left prone. With the goal at his mercy, our Pole somehow saved, someone from above must have smiled on the brave.

It was then that it suddenly all became clear, Milan realised that this wasn’t their year. Alongside the Reds stood an ally too great,
There was no resisting the power of fate.

So when the game entered its final test then, they bore the demeanour of half-beaten men.

Defeat after so much no player deserved, but while Milan’s men wilted the Reds kept their nerve.

And when Andrei’s nemesis foiled him once more, the night air was pierced by a deafening roar.

Destiny fulfilled all that was prophesised, and I hugged all around me with tears in my eyes.

The Redmen all met us, celebrations they led, Carra The Lionheart, Gerrard The Red. Sami The Mighty, the sturdy Hamann, Dudek and all, heroes to a man.

And Rafa, our Moses, by his guiding hand, he led us all back here to this Promised Land. When the road became hard no excuse did he use,
and when all seemed lost here his genius shone through.

Emotion flowed down from the stands like a shower, as we watched Stevie lift that old trophy of ours. You’ll Never Walk Alone once again we did sing, as we all heralded the return of the Kings.

Now on the bus back to Taksim I went, my voice was in tatters, all energy spent. Utterly drained but smiling ear to ear, I thought back to the road that had led me to here.

As a boy I had watched all the legends parade, as they conquered all Europe and history was made. As the years passed, now no longer watching a screen, I thought I’d never see what my elders had seen.

I wondered if my eyes would yet see the glory, and whether in years to come I could tell stories. Of great Anfield nights and of crusades abroad, when the Mighty Reds put Europe’s best to the sword.

2004 then turned into 05, and finally all of my hopes came to life,
It seemed fate was there with us right from the start, it happened as if it was written in the stars.

I watched from the Kop on that December night, the pivotal moment when dark turned to light. Four minutes from failure, then hope was restored, we all dared to dream, when Stevie G scored.

Echoes of the past rang as clear as a bell, the late Kop end goal, the same scoreline as well. My generation loved tales about way back when, but we now had our very own St Etienne.

I was there against Juve when ghosts of the past, 20 years in the waiting confronted at last. The Kop spelled out friendship in red and in white, and in silence we remembered the fallen that night.

The whistle it blew and the silence gave way, to a whirlwind of noise that blew Juve away. I saw a red tide almost swallow them whole,
And I saw Luis Garcia’s 30 yard goal.

I saw Chelsea get their come-uppence at last, on a night at Anfield that might not be surpassed. The primeval force of The Kop in full cry, for 96 minutes the noise wouldn’t die.

96 minutes for 96 souls, they surely were watching the drama unfold. For something divine intervened on our side, ‘Cos I can’t explain how Gudjohnsen shot wide.

The Kop danced long after the players had gone, the glory of years passed remembered in song. And when we were thrown out we danced on outside, around Shankly’s statue long into the night.

And now I had witnessed a moment so rare, it’s drama and splendour were beyond compare. A moment in sport we may not see again, a moment I’d waited so long to attain.

Istanbul was for one night, Heaven on Earth, so special you can’t put a price on its worth. I give thanks I was one of the privileged few,
I was there and I saw all of our dreams come true.

A banner I’d seen and there saw it again, ‘My Eyes Have Seen The Glory,’ it proudly proclaimed. Four symbolic stars were emblazoned thereon, I could now say ‘me too’ when the 5th one was won.

I’ve seen the Kop’s legacy upheld and enhanced, and seen us win when no one gave us a chance. I’ve seen us rise up and be crowned Europe’s best, if it’s the last match I see I’d still think myself blessed.
YNWA

Great stuff rome.

Aiyic the article may be written in a piss on Rafa fashion but its points are true. The most rose-tinted red could not consider last summers 40mil well spent. Rafa even said himself that he had to improve this year and there was no room for mistakes in the summer. I felt Sami should have started as skipper and subbed off to standing ovation in 70th or 80th min. Personally I feel Rafa got this wrong as does any red I’ve spoke to. The POINTS maddock makes are imo accurate. The manner? Clearly a dickhead.

Thank you sami you’ll never be forgotten and you’ll never walk alone. p.s its not goodbye its untill we meet again. see you in two years.

Aiyic i read that idiots attack on rafa also,just shrugged it off. dont suffer fools!!

i did watch big Yeates play and he was a tower of a player a favourate of Shanks, and Sami was our modern tower of a defender and shanks woukd have loved him.

Sami you are a Liverpool great and hope you are back soon to help build our teams of the future,

give me Alonso over Barry our most consistant player over the season

Sami – A GENT, class player and person. I hope his choice works out for him. I only saw the highlights yesterday, fair dues to Robbie and to the fans who gave him a reception as well. Fantastic mosaic at the start. Makes you proud to be a red.

London, Maddock “just had” to point a out a negative when it wasn’t just. We won 3-1 with a Rafa squad, Sami is in floods – and all he can say is that the 40m spent, didn’t make it onto the pitch, and Rafa ruined Sami’s day. A proven douche-bag is that Maddock cock.

I agree that the money wasn’t that well spent -but that’s not the point. The first 11 were all Rafa’s men(yes, all Rafa’s – he got SG and JC to sign again), and are his best 11 generally.

And on the last day of the season, (when it was decided the previous week who won) with a great atmosphere, three goals, a Keane goal that led to a show of mutual respect, and a rapturous reception for “Hyyps”.

I too would have loved to see Sami start, but we know Rafa is too single-minded to get into any crowd-pleasing. I actually wouldn’t have been surprised if he never got on.

Aiyic I think #65 is meant for me so I’ll respond mate and we’ll leave LB out of it! I think we’re on the same page here Aiyic, we both agree that the 40mil was not well spent and that Sami should have started. And we both agree that Maddock is a candidate for douchebag of the year in what is a crowded field this yr what with aizlewood and cohen giving it their all and bascombe making a late run! So, 1 Rafa bashing article written by douchbag? Check. Did the article contain pertinent points? Check.

Is there any logical reason for starting with Hyypia? What if we had lost a couple of goals? Not only would it have spoiled Hyypia’s occasion, we may have actually lost a valuable 3 points.

Hyypia unfortunately will not be with us next year, so what a waste it would have been to use up a competitive match using a defensive pair that will not feature next season. Rafa was completely right to have put agger and skrtel together– this will probably be our main defensive partnership next year, and we needed to test it.

Rafa made sure that everyone could enjoy Hyyia’s action after the win was pretty much secure.

Rafa was professional and compassionate at the same time.

What more could you ask for?

I think rafa is getting enough slack from the outside without some of our own saying he made a wrong selection in the final match. Some people…

‘Is there any logical reason for starting with Hyypia?’ Is there any logical reason for asking that question more like. Jeez Hyde do I really have to list them? 10yrs legendary service rewarded with a 6min cameo in his final game? He should have started as skipper and been afforded the honour of a standing ovation when subbed off. And to suggest that the 3pts would’ve been in jeopardy had he started is frankly stunning and disrespectful to a man whos never let us down before. Some people indeed…

Digger, you’ve made my point exactly.

I am not saying that having played Sami would have jeopardized the result.

I am saying that the exact notion of selecting a starting line-up initially based on sentimentalism is totally wrong. Selecting Sami because he has played here for 10 years is totally illogical. It hardly makes sense. Starting with Sami because he should receive a standing ovation?? In an ideal world that would be “nice”, but just choosing to start with Hyypia for that reason makes no sense to me whatsoever. Sorry mate but your reasoning is sentimentally 100% correct (because my heart is completely with you), but completely illogical or unprofessional.

My ultimate point was this– stating that rafa’s selection was wrong from a sentimental context is unfair and should not come from a red fan. Leave that to the wankers outside who hate rafa for anything.

If your reason was purely from a footballing perspective, then fine.

If Sami was a better choice than agger or skrtel to win against tottenham, then fine. If you are saying his height was more important against keane and bent, fine.

Let’s not forget that this is a professional match, not a testimonial.

Since I am more than a bit pissed off, forgive my emotional outbirst as I restate again, why do people have to question rafa from an unfootballing reason??? It is just as insulting as calling rafa a spanish waiter, etc, etc.

It just astonishes me that a red fan can actually criticize rafa for not starting Hyypia. FFS, rafa has had enough share of unfair crap thrown at him without having to be given this shite about Hyypia not being given a starting place so as to recieve a standing ovation. Jesus Christ, give our gaffer a bit of slack.

Seriously Digger, what is with your constant hate towards Rafa.

I dont think Hyppia should have been used against Tottenham because of their speed. As Hyde said, it wasnt a testimonial. In fact i think Rafa did it tastefully, subbed Gerrard so he could hand over the armband (thought it was a nice touch).

I also think Hyppia enjoyed just being there, with the way the fans started the game. He is moving on and it was a perfect chance to start Sktel and Agger together.

Yes the season is over,but the way we finish off our season will give us confidence for the next (having won almost every game in the run). Plus had United slipped up we might have ended up a point behind. Also if Chelsea had won their game (4-0?) and we lost, we would have ended up third. Finishing third this season would surely dent some confidence (plus less money)

Great blog and tribute to a true red legend and Sammie deserves all the accolades he gets because of the unstinting commitment and contribution to LFC.

Sick, busy and moving offices enough to make you cry and to top it off the only match I did not get to see was this one. They decided to screen the relegation matches, it really pissed me off to miss my first LFC Prem match of the year.

Mind you for the Kiwi’s and Aussie’s on this blog the Bulls more than made up for the miss, great match.

Hyde take a bow, well said. Ditto Akka

As for the 40 million wasted, all but 4 mill and this could get better according to appearances, was recouped from the 20 mill spent on Keane. The rest Reira is far from a mistake and contributed fairly substantially over the season. Dossena has a typically hard first season trying to adjust, Evra anyone? Ngog, great buy at 19 and then the free transfer of Mr Glass, lets see him play before he is called a failure. How this adds up to 40 mill is more of a mystery, especially if you take the sale of Crouch into account. If it was a net spend of more than 15mill I would be surprised.

All the best Sami.

Get yer coaching badges asap. We want ye back!

KeithSA, this isn’t so much as a correction, as highlighter; the point of mentioning the amount spent is moot, it was the fact that Maddock said all last summer’s recruits didn’t start – all 40m worth. To add the value, was just to rub it in. Net spend isn’t the case here with this article. So what if they didn’t start – is my point. Is it mentioned if Berbatov doesn’t start – all 30m worth? So my beef is not with the critique of the amount spent, but the plain fact that none started.

ttp://w w w.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/25/liverpool-3-1-tottenham-spurs-miss-out-on-europa-cup-after-defeat-at-anfield-115875-21386054/

Now here is the thing – would Maddock (in his infinite wisdom) have played them under the same pressures and responsibilities as Rafa? I mean, does Maddock think that it would have been wiser to start Dosser, Cavalieri, Riera, Degen and maybe even dig up a number 7 shirt for Keane?

Or is he saying that Rafa got it so wrong last summer, that he just had to start with last season’s best eleven? This is representative of the pointless and nonconstructive flak Rafa has taken *recently*. It’s vindictive – not constructive.

Yes Digger, #65 was meant for you (Freudian slip).

I would have liked Hyypia to play from the start and wear the armband. Obviously for sentimental reasons. It’s not as if the team would have been significantly weakened. His last performance at Old Trafford would indicate he can still do the business.

Having said that he came on, to a standing ovation, got the armband off Stevie and had a nice 6 mins cameo. After the game the reception he got was fantastic and it was all quite emotional. So did it really matter that he didn’t play from the start? No not my opinion. We won the game. Sami got a great send off. Job done. So for Maddock to write an article saying Rafa ruined Hyypia’s day is shocking journalism. I get the impression he was just looking for something negative to write about. I watched a replay of the game and I don’t remember hearing any jeering. Yet the article claims the crowd booed Rafa. It’s bollacks and should be ignored.

Regarding the transfers last summer. I think its safe to say that last summer’s singings have thus far not been a success but we all know that anyway and despite that we’ve had our best league campaign in over 20 years. To bring up the failed signings in a match report article after a 3-1 win is rather pointless. Again rubbish journalism.

Anyone remember John Barnes send off? No? Maybe because he didn’t get one. Hyypia did alright in comparison.

Nice Blog.

Sami was a great player for us and served LFC for a long time. A true legend. Lets hope he returns and becomes a part of Rafa’s coaching stuff.

I dont know why there is so much talk about whether Sami should have played from the beginning or not. We all know Rafa and his style. He didnt play Sami regularly throughout the season because he knew others(Agger,Skrtel,Carra)are good enough to picked ahead. He allowed Sami to go because now we have suitable players at the back who can do his job. Then why on earth he would play Sami from the start? It was his farewell match and so he was brought on for Steven Gerrard, handed over the captain’s armband. I dont think it was wrong.
We all wanted to finish as close as possible to Manchester United. That was a more important objective to Rafa and so he fielded his regular back four.

Good point London about Barnes. You could add many more to that list.

Sorry lads! My bad fellas, I completely forgot that it’s totally out of order to question or critisize a managers decision especially the untouchable, infallible Rafa and especially in a fan forum. Where did I get the idea that was ok?! Honestly, the cheek of me…. Right, Im off to cut our manager some much needed slack!

The audacity Digger, that’ll be 40 lashes for you even if we do sell Alonso and replace him with Nicky Butt.

Don’t apologize for your opinion Digger.

The objective on Sunday was to get at least a point to ensure 2nd place and hopefully all three points to get as close to Manure as possible.

On top of this, it was pretty sure that spurs would start with Keane and Defoe. So what would have been your preferred CB partnership to counter this threat, without sentiment? I rest my case!

Somnath, just one thing, Sami was not ‘allowed’ to go, he wanted to go, to have more time on the pitch. Fair play to him and Rafa for putting their cards on the table and sorting it out professionally.

I don’t think that it is the last that we have seen of Sami, I hope anyway.

personally, i had no problem with the appearance that hyypia got on sunday. some people seem to be shocked that he didn’t start from the off, but he didn’t seem to upset about it himself. he got his moment, got his lap of honour, played his part… whatever, i had no negative feelings about it. i was cheering for sami to come on too, but i certainly wasn’t upset about it at the time.

YNWA

true about the matchups lurgan…keane/defoe are two of the fastest little buggers in the league. of course hyypia could’ve handled them, but i understand the decision to play agger/skrtel against them completely. i had no expectation that hyypia would ever start this game. it seemed obvious to me that he would be a sub coming on in the 2nd.

Digger I want to apologise for you having to apologise, it is just not right for Fans to defend Rafa after our best season in ages against knee jerk criticism, what where we thinking!!! After all it was only your opinion and we all know that it is taboo to criticize somebody’s opinion or actions … oh wait except Rafa, it is fair game for all and sundry to have a pop at him.

I see Lawro has come out and said he and Hanson also never got such a send off, dammed if you do and dammed if you don’t do it exactly the way people expect. Funny old game.

Aiyic I did understand the thought behind it, but even in today’s fabricating world less than 15 mill to 40 mill is a far stretch in trying to make a point. We all know Keane was not Rafa’s first choice and we recouped practically all of the money. I think Riera was a success and was responsible for us winning games and for giving us balance on the left, that he got tired towards the end of the season is also understandable, luckily for us it coincided with the re-emergence of Benny. Ngog was always seen and bought as a youngster for the future and that leaves Dossena who did not have the impact we all hoped, again early days. As LB said shite journalism with a, not even remotely clever, hidden agenda to have a pop at Rafa despite the truth or validity.

Just read a Tony Barrett article with Rafa saying he wants all transfers done and dusted before pre season starts. I think as soon as the season finishes across Europe there will be activity. I’m looking forward.

Yeah I read that it also says we will put in an offer for Barry.

Villa have just offered Barry a new contract.

Good stuff Keith, LB etc. Glad to see that our famous scouse humour is still present despite our differing opinions! And dont worry Aiyic, I never apologise for my opinion, just when I’m wrong!

Well Voronin will be back so we’re sorted up front now init?

its clear that voronin does not want to come back…he has never said anything nice about having to come back. we wants to move on…never settled here. i’m thinking we could get 2-3 million for him from somewhere.

YNWA

Digger how are Maddocks points valid?

Why does he have to blow on about none of the summer signings starting the game?Whats the relevance in that?

It was a classic case of shite journalism.

“Oh my god Liverpool finished the season in fine style and i can`t find anything negative to write about them.Oh wait…look none of the summer signings are starting today….yeeessss this is headline news,juicy stuff,world exclusive!I bet nobody else has thought of this one har har har har har $$$$$$$$$$$ rise on the wayyyyyyyyyyyy!!!”

Yes very valid points Digger,check!

Digger argued that the following points from Maddock’s article are valid:

£40m spent last summer – none of which contributed a great deal to our success this season.
Keane was a flop, Dossena has been a flop thus far, Degen has not featured in a league game and Riera has been alright. Fair argument no?

Hyypia could and should have played from the start.
Timmy you felt the same judging by your post #7. You can’t now slaughter Digger for expressing the same thing AFTER the game.

Lads, Digger never called Rafa a fat Spanish waiter for wasting £40m last summer. He implied the money wasn’t very well spent and that he needs to do better this summer. Nor did he say the evil Rafa ruined Hyypia’s send off. He said he felt Rafa got it wrong.

He did point out that the journalist is a dickhead, a douche bag and condemned the manner of the article as Rafa bashing. We all agree there.

What’s the problem guys?

PS. Digger, when should I collect that $50?

then you’re not reading my comments or Keith’s properly LB!

Its in the mail LB Lol!

I don’t know why I bother, and I don’t usually like doing the “he said, you said” argument, but since I am a bit emotional and right peeved off, I’ll spell them out for you to save your energy!

“Maddock’s article is wrong in its manner but correct (in Digger’s view) in terms of the points it made”

i.e.,

“Rafa got it wrong to not play Sami from the start”

Why?

“Because Sami deserves to after 10 years of loyal service (not because Sami was a better choice against tottenham tactically)”

So in sum, he is criticising rafa’s selection based on something purely sentimental.

That is totally unfair.

Therefore, the criticism was not a constructive one, but an unfair one.

An unfair criticism equals insult.

Calling rafa a spanish waiter is an insult (in most cases!).

Therefore, digger’s comments (or the reasoning behing it) was just as insulting as calling rafa a spanish waiter.

That was my point. If you read my comments, I did not mention anything about the 40m signing issue. And I hate it when people try to justify these types of comments by saying one is entitled to their opinion.

Sorry for the the commotion, but digger’s comments (or reasoning) was just a little bit too much for me to simply laugh at. As always (and as he surely knows by now), no personal offense to digger himself.

LB,
I said i hope Rafa would play him and IMO wouldn`t hamper our chances of three points.I`ll stand by that.Obviously Rafa dosen`t think along the same lines as me and as Hyde said earlier Rafa probably looked at it and thought playing Agger-skrtel would not only be stronger but would be looking to the future by picking the pair.Rafa knows better than me i`d think.His job is to get three points first,sentiment is not in his vocabulary the stubborn oul git.

But that dosen`t mean i agree when some journo says he`s ruined sami`s day by bringing him on with 6 mins to go.Sami got the send off he deserves.

What annoys me is why Maddock picked out the fact that none of these summer signings playes from the start.Like its some golden rule that you HAVE to play your signings.Why wait until the last game to point it out?Has it never happened before this season?

If riera had played Maddock would have picked up some other stick to beat rafa with.

And just before I head out of office, I add to that that Digger goes on to say

“I completely forgot that it’s totally out of order to question or critisize a managers decision especially the untouchable, infallible Rafa and especially in a fan forum”

as if to imply he is the unjust victim here.

Digger mate, that hyypia comment is not a criticism or question towards rafa’s judgement.

It was just a pure emotional insult.

That was my problem.

None taken Hyde mate, and I hope you wont take any when I say that #95 is one of the funniest posts you’ve ever written! (imo) Man you take some leaps of imagination and literary license! Anyway, what of it, its all a bit of fun and games til someone loses an eye right?! We gotta pass the Summer somehow! Wheres Fat Scouser Esq.? Gerrin here lad, surely you couldent be still hungover from Sunday? I’m mad to hear all about the SoS party…

LB, these type of comments do my head in.

‘£40m spent last summer – none of which contributed a great deal to our success this season. Keane was a flop, Dossena has been a flop thus far, Degen has not featured in a league game and Riera has been alright. Fair argument no?’

Take a step back and look at it for what it is. FFS, you sound like a red top hack.

1. Who spent this fecking money? We all know that Rafa’s hands were tied.
2. We have nearly, by all accounts, recouped most of the money for Keane
3. I say that Dossena has not been a flop this year. Remember Steve Finnan?
4. We did not pay a single penny (fee-wise) for Deggen. How is he incorporated into this?
5. Riera has been alright. Huh? He brought us much needed balance and rarely gives possession away. Look back at the games, you will see.

Maybe I am pissing in the wind here but ‘on verras’

You just can’t trust players these days:

tp://www.setanta.com/uk/Videos/football/2009/05/21/Gerrard-will-cheer-on-United-video/

I think that he is off to the old toilet!

Lurgan mate, you want me to use more sugar coated language to judge the signings of last summer?

How would you rate the transfer activity last summer? Forget whose fault it was. Give me a mark out of 10. Beardo, Barnes, Aldridge being 10/10. Cherou, Diouf, Diao being 1/10.

Regardless of how much money we got back from Keane – the signing was not a success. If we buy Barry next week for £10m to bolster our squad for a title charge, he plays shite and we sell him back to Villa in January for £9m will you not consider that a flop? I would.

I said Dossena has been a flop thus far. I didn’t rule out the possibility of him being a success for us in the future. But as it stands now he has been a flop. We signed him as a full Italian international and he’s now 3rd choice left back.

Degen is incorporated into this because he was a summer signing and we were talking about the signings from last summer and the contribution they have made.

Riera – good first half of the season (not fantastic) but good, offered balance, good feet, good control, good passing. Not so good 2nd half of the season, poor crossing, weak on the ball, caught dwelling too often, poor decision making. Season as a whole – alright. What adjective would you use?

We performed great this season despite not getting a great contribution from the signings last summer (Riera aside). To close the gap even more and take the most difficult step from runners up to winners I think the signings this summer are going to have to be more successful than last summer. IMO.

That Maddock is an arse though. Blatantly just wanted something negative to carp on about.

some of the signings were bought for cover as we have not had the money the scum have,to keep buying top star who prance around like ladies when its not going there way. Rafa has and will make mistakes, but i would sooner have him than three of whiskey nose, every manager gets good buys and bad ones even average one maybe like riera, but just look at fernado a new striker in his mould would giv e us some fire power. we just have yo wait and see what happens, i have been lucky and been around for most of our leauge wins, and i hope i live a little longer to see the next four or five times we win it,as its not far away

YNWA

Hyde you’re in rare form today mate! That quote you use in 97 from me is not me infering victim-hood. Did you not read my posts after that lauding Keith and LB’s detection of the humour in it? C’mon man, I was laying it on thick! I couldent have been further from playing victim mate. And as for emotional insult, as I said earlier man you make some imaginative leaps! Superb post in 101 LB. Couldent have put it any better myself. You can stick that 50 back in the letterbox mate, return address is included!

Have read teh comments on last season’s signings etc. and don’t really want to get too involved but have a couple of comments along similar lines.

First of all have to say again that it was a fabulous effort all round to push Manure so close.

2 players that I think could have made the difference this season. If the Keane move had worked out even slightly better and if Babel had built on his progress the previous year instead of going backwards we would have won number 19.

Roll on the new season.

One last comment, I promise…

of course, digger mate, I knew you were playing for this particular sequence of dialogue, but you use that phrasing all the time to not only cover your ownself but other’s comments (one of whom you and I both know who that is and it’s not LB) when they have a swipe at rafa for unreasonable groundings. I’m sorry I just couldn’t let go and didn’t find it funny. As you know, I don’t mind people questioning our gaffa for footballing reasons (or at least their own version’s of footballing reasons), but I just CANNOT STAND IT when a supposedly red fan takes any opportunity they can to criticise rafa without any really logical (and I mean logic not in its linguistic sense but footballing logic) underpin.

It must have been the girl next door or robbie keane that was driving me nuts, but I just couldn’t let it go.

That’s it from me on this issue, though. Sorry, lads, I seem to have shut everybody up….

Liverpool FC latest: Ryan Babel told he can leave Anfield

RYAN BABEL could become the first high-profile casualty of Rafael Benitez’s summer shake-up after being told he can leave Liverpool.
Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht met with the Anfield manager to discuss the player having a more prominent first-team role next season.
Benitez, though, was unable to offer such guarantees and has informed the Holland international he may now speak to other clubs during the transfer window.
That is likely to spark a chase for Babel, who became the third-most expensive player in Liverpool’s history when arriving for £11.5million from Ajax in July 2007.
Liverpool will want to recoup of much as that fee as possible, with Babel likely to command a price tag of around £8m.
Ajax, who yesterday appointed Martin Jol as new coach to succeed Marco van Basten, are thought eager to re-sign Babel but could be put off by the asking price and the player’s wages.
Babel is also certain to attract interest from Italy and Spain, with Benitez open to the possibility of using the 22-year-old as a makeweight to facilitate a possible big-money transfer.
Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Arsenal have all been linked with a summer move for Babel and could make any interest formal.
Babel has scored 14 goals in 91 appearances for Liverpool. However, only 42 have been in a starting role – a mere six coming this calendar year – with the Dutchman having completed the full 90 minutes on just 15 occasions.

Digger, whats your email address?

Top of the evening to ya lads

It’s been a long time since I made a comment in here (I’m a Kopblog secondary virgin at this stage)
But I’ve been reading every comment and argument even the ones that went on for Jaysus months, just didn’t have the time to get involved.

Anyway, what a great season this one was, highs and lows and thrills and spills and I can’t wait until it’s time to do it all over again with you guys.

I think that 40 million on the bench waste is a load of bollix,
Keano chipped in a good few points for us and cant be judged as a failure IMO cause he was here half a season,
Dossena aint bad either (got my favorite goal of the season against the mancs)tried hard and improved his game. For a 27 year old he’s only had a few caps for Italy so he’s not exactly fully fledged international (they didn’t even take him to the Euro’s)
N’gog- you gotta be shitting me the chap only cost what? 1-2 million and scored 4 league goals playing a bit part.
Degen- cost nothin and did nothin
Babel- wasn’t bought in the summer

where did 40 mill come from? (just a wanker journalist I suppose)

Anyway Hyde you’ve been doing well on the night shift without meself and Aussie

Well done to Kop End for winning the Kopblog fantasy league (maybe we’ll get a few more next time!)

A big shout out to all the team for their effort and kudos to Kuyt Alonso and Benny for stepping up

All the best to Sami in Germany we’ll all miss him
Congrats to Rafa for being the dogs bollicks and to Kopblog, Garry and all contributors for being the Blog’s Dollicks!!

Over and out and Co’mon Barca

Hyde I genuinely believe you’ve got the wrong end of the stick on this one mate. Your comments in 106 seem to indicate that you think some form of conspiracy is afoot with ‘covering’ of mine and some un-named posters comments. I dunno what your smoking hide but I’d love to try it! Look Hyde, theres no unreasonable swiping at Rafa going on here. I disagreed with a team selection. I voiced that disagreement and gave my reasons. Your hyper-sensitivity to any percieved slight against Rafa has misled you mate.

Rumours in Holland that Villa want Babel. Possible swap with Barry then? Why doesn’t this prospect excite me?

Sad to hear Babel may be leaving but to be honest its hardly unexpected. Really hoped he would make it with us but for whatever reason it wasnt to be. The best of luck to him if he leaves. My email is [email protected] LB.

Check your mail Digger.

I dunno LB, that sounds like a good deal to me. We’d value Babel at around 10mil (wouldent we?) and Villa would want at least 10mil for Barry. They get what they want, we get what we want and without touching our transfer kitty. Win win no?

When you put it like that yes. I can’t argue with that. But I had high hopes for Babel. I thought he’d be a star with us. Barry doesn’t fill me with the same optimism.

Check yours LB

Would Duff @ 2 mill represent better value than Barry for 10 mill?.The only quality player in the Youth team last night was Lalla Valle-Arsenal’s black players are streets ahead of the rest of the under 18 league.

Burgerman, how did David Amoo perform?

Arsenal U18s won their league by 35 points! Wow!! Our lads finished 4th in our division. I’ll be keeping an eye on this once Segura is in place. Will Kenny be taking up a role?

Babel for 10 million is WAAY TOO CHEAP.

Hyde, we’ll get less than that mate.

Mirror article – Absolute crap. he included a free transfer and a reserve goalie (and we bought Cavalieri to be our reserve goalie) He also included Ngog a young promising player bought for the future. Robbie was a flop, Dossena not a flop – jury still out – I would say well done to Insua for taking his chance. Dossena tried hard and has improved but needs to do more. Riera in my book has done well better than I thought and again well done to Yossi for upping his game and taking Riera’s place.

Babel looks like he can go. Seems like Rafa has lost patience. He should give himself a kick up the backside. I’m gutted because I think he has all the tools to be as good as Tierry Henry except one – mentality.

10 would be nice for babel…he has barely featured at all this year. yes he has shown promise in the past, but no team is going to pay more than 10 for him. i think a straight swap for barry, given the latter’s age and contract remainder is a very fair deal.

they would have carew, heskey, babel, agbonlahor, and young…two of the biggest, strongest forwards in the league with three of the fastest as well…

I won’t be taking that job offer LB. I don’t think I could handle the criticism from Digger if I didn’t win every game 20-0 and provide 11 new starlets every year for the first team.

That’s why those guys are paid 7 figure salaries Kenny…. Helps one develop a thick skin in the face of criticism.

Besides I’m sure Digger would settle for 15-0 every game.

Regarding Babel – looks like it just wasn’t meant to be. Thierry Henry went to Juventus as a 22 year old and it didn’t work out. Maybe Babel will go on to be a star elsewhere.

I’d never criticize you Kenny. How could I criticize Kenny Dalglish?!

Aiyic, Digger and Hyde,
Rafa is a genius. Sami was fielded late because this provides the fans a chance to give him a standing ovation, taking over the armband from SG. This would have been impossible when he starts with 11 players together.
I did not hear any booings, only loud chants of his name.

Pity some of these analysts can’t see his reasoning.

Donal, welcome back to this site, mate! I am flying into Bangkok next month to watch LFC vs thailand selection. Cheers!

For a 7 figure salary Digger could slate me until the cows come home. But as he says I am a living legend how could I be criticised? Err maybe because King Kenny would never say what I’ve just said.

I’ve finished reading 44 years with the same bird. I thought it was a really good read, especially his take on Hilsborough and Heysel. some funny stories as well, I liked the part where he managed to get a cup final ticket off Shanks.

Kenny, is that the Brian Reade book? There is another one called Collecting cups in May or something like that which is supposed to be really good.

So it’s worth buying yeah?

Ya LB,go get “here we go gathering cups in may”.Its a fantastic read.You won`t be able to put it down.Some of the things these guys got up to in the early days to get to the finals was priceless.

Just about to buy “43 years with same bird” tomorrow looking forward to it.

Just finished Rush`s book too LB.Not that exciting as you could imagine.Just bought it more in support of the man more than anything else.

spanish food for thought

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/may/26/champions-league-barcelona-manchester-united

Ettooooooo!!!! 1-0 BArca

Messi!!!!!2-0

Well it’s been a joy to watch the Mancs get utterly outclassed tonight. “Class” being one of the key words too, with the mancs showing their complete lack of it with some dirty challenges to close out the game – Scholes is, was, and always will be a dirty little mutt. Where he and ladyboy have tried to close the game out by injuring the opposition, is where Liverpool would have been showing character and trying to get back into the game.

Those pundits who rate Carrick as “world class” have been shown up again too, he couldn’t get anywhere near Xavi and Iniesta today.

To the Tramp, eat shit, where was your tactical influence in this one? Getting slaughtered in the midfield… so throw on another striker! Still getting slaughtered in the midfield… throw on another striker again! Brilliant!

Congratulations to Barca, they really do play some great stuff, fantastic skills.

Has Messi not got the best first touch in world football? Absolutely brilliant! Iniesta was a class apart.

Ferguson has not a clue against the new school…

Bravo to Barca

there is a justice

Correct and correct again Andy.

Barca did not even have a regular back four tonight. You would have thought that Rafa would had some ‘options’ to get around them!!!

A highly enjoyable game. Both for the sure class and skill that Barcelona possess and showing really how overrated ManU really are. The ref had colmplete control over the game and was in my opinion very good. Good to see the not all refs are intimidated by Manure and the Tramp.

…and that Fungusface bitch said that he wants to build an European Dynasty…

Ptuuiiii!

The walls of United are falling down! If a team plays pure football and the ref is stong United fall apart. They were given the prem by us and they can keep the two other plastic cups!

Who was the MOM..?

For me…. Xavi Hernandez

Iniesta for me Skeat.

I think that was the first time I supported a foreign club when an English side was “playing”,well erm, sort of playing.
Three cheers for Barcelona!!!

Quintuplet Trophies…my ass….

Maybe the league cup’s other name is Quintuplet trophy? I might be wrong here…

Lads my cousin just txtd me from home ‘bobs 3 european titles still elude fergie. May the good man rest in peace!’ Brilliant. Just brilliant. GET FUCKEN IN THERE!!!!! YEEESSSS!!!!

“Park! Park! Wherever you may be! You eat dogs in your home country! But it could be worse, you could be Scouse! Eating rats in your council house!”
***

The chants on Park Ji Sung by the United fans. Nice to know that they are still thinking of Liverpool fans whereever they go… or while they are attacking their own players in the middle of the game…

barcelona destroyed utd tonight. they looked ordinary and average at best. barcelona played with quality all over the pitch and had two well taken goals.

boy would i love us to sign iniesta!

scholes should have been sent off. i’m so tired of seeing him make an outrageously dangerous tackle and get away with a yellow because everybody knows he’s supposedly a poor tackler and he can’t help it. ridiculous. i’ve heard commentators in the UK saying, “oh scholesy, he’s never been good at tackles has he? he can’t help it.” bollocks! send him off. he deserved it tonight.

ronaldo was completely shut down tonight, and utd’s central midfield was absolutely nothing. carrick and anderson were two big nothings.

congrats to barca, they deserved it…what a season they have had. incredible, really.

YNWA

Scott Murray: “Liverpool always win in Rome”
Classic!

I didn’t see the game because I didn’t want to jinx barca but I’m made up that the dirty mancs were outclassed. The English media hype them up to ridiculous levels. Barca were lucky to get passed the Chavs. Why? because Hiddink is a good tactical coach. We beat them in their own back yard Why? Because Rafa has tactical nous. Taggart tactically is poor. He can buy a player and gel him into the team but lets face it has had more than his fair share of duds. When the playing field was more level he couldn’t get near us. It took Hillsborough and an emmotionally washed out Kenny Dalglish to resign along with a shed load of money before he could make inroads.

for me the mancs central midfield at the highest level is crap. The poorest of all the big teams.

LB: Yes it is Brian Reades book. Well worth a read.

Indeed, Rome is Liverpool’s lucky ground!

I haven’t seen the Mancs so outclassed since we beat them 4-1 in March. Ain’t life grand?

The only travesty on the night was that Barca didn’t score more goals. 4-0 would have been a much fairer reflection of how the game went.

I think we would take an offer of 9 mil for Babel, if we don’t do a sraight swap deal with Villa that is.

steve – 2-0 is soundly beaten but 4-0 would have been perfect. A thrashing, a humiliation but 2-0 will do.

i think we should sell babel to barca for iniesta plus a mars bar. they should go for that!

I thought it was unfair on Manure. The pitch was too big and Barca wouldn’t give them the ball back so they had to run allover the pitch trying to get it … and because the pitch was sooooo big they got all tired and upset and still Barca wouldn’t give the ball back. So SIR ALEX went and talked to … well everyone he could .. the ref ‘n’ all but still Barca wouldn’t give them the ball ! So unbelievably unfair and then they scored. For crying out loud. Everything was against Uniiited. Not fair … going home ….

Lol, Alec Iniesta’s release clause is €150m

I was just thinking…. The midfield players Spain have. Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Fabgregas, Silva…..

Not bad eh?

Dougle thats classic! Hope you dont mind me pilfering your words but thats going straight out in a txt to every manc i know!

More reason for us to hang on to Xabi Alonso. Our midfield of Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano would have given Barca some problems. If Rafa sold Xabi we would be taking a massive step backwards in my opinion. If Gerrard is the driving force, Xabi is the man that keeps us moving.
PLEASE DON’T SELL XABI RAFA!!!!

Once again Whiskeybreath shows his only tactic he has is to throw money
onto the pitch and hope they earn the money their supposedly worth,
despite getting hammered in midfield he puts some strikers on Doh
What happend to the World player of the year, Ladyboy doesn’t get away
with his blatant cheating so he starts fouling and it ends in tears (remember Fulham ).
What happened to the PFA player of the year Giggs he may as well stayed on the bench where he’s been for most of the season.
What happened to the Premiership player of the year Vidick can’t get away with
his rugby tackles and is turned inside out ,resorts to his usual violent defending
Is it me or did the Scum try Zonal marking tonight because they didn’t manage
to mark anyone .
And finally in the words of Nelson Muntz HA HAA.
PS
WE WON IT 5 TIMES ,WE WON IT 5 TIMES ,IN ISTANBUL WE WON IT 5 TIMES
YNWA

Digger to be fair Fungas has only had a extra 18 years to try and equal Bobs record.
Best Manager ever MY ARSE
YNWA

I’ve not seen the game as I got some very good sleep, and I didn’t want to jinx myself. But I’ve taped it, before I go and watch any highlights, allow me to join in the rubbing in:

GET STUFFED FERGUSCUM! QUINTUPLET? WHAT QUINTUPLET? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

A Mickey Mouse treble they’ve won if you ask me. As if anyone actually counts the Club World Cup as a proper trophy, not to mention their South American opposition this year was remarkably weak.

The Carling Cup… well we all know that’s a Mickey Mouse of them all.

And the league, that’s because besides Liverpool, there were no other team like Barca (bar Fulham) that could have the proper strength and bottle to beat the Scum, not to mention the Ferguscum Old Boys Network and his network of bribed refs.

I dare not say this before for fear of jinxing it, but now I guess it’s safe to say it: Besides Liverpool, Barca are the only one capable of beating the Scum.

Congratulations to Barca for winning the TRUE TREBLE in style, especially considering that they came out of a tough draw (Bayern and Chavs) compared to the Scum’s easy passage (Porto and the pathetic Goons).

Liverpool can only get stronger, and no matter how many millions Ferguscum spends, it will never cover up the fact that he is tactically inept. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END!

Brilliant results!!! Congrats to Barca….
My MOTM is Pique…..solid and led the backline very well….

Wanker finally found his match in Puyol….what a dive from Puyol and got Wanker the yellow despite not being touched…..

Bob’s record is still intact!!!!

hahahahahaha!! dirty mancs, dirty fungusface, hahahahahaha!!! Can’t stop laughing, how pathetic they were.

Yes, barca are excellent with the ball, we all know that.

The point is, fungus got the tactics all wrong again.

It was shocking to see how sloppy they were in defense (well, to be honest with you, they can’t defend that well in the first place).
Give so much time and space to barca, and you get punished. And chelshit gave the mancs so much hint as to how to play against them, but no arrogant fungus thinks that’s not necessary.

Then they go 2 down, and taggard does exactly what he did against us when we hammered them. Throw more attacking bodies on. Ahahahaha. Genius that.

And they call him the best manager.

Absolutely comical. Hillarious. I just cannot stop laughing.

Then fungus plays their worst keeper. I mean that first goal was really a howler from Van der sar. Anyone on top of their game would have stopped it just about.

So typical of crap fungus.

To think we would have had a wonderful game against barca.

What a shame that.

Here are some excerpts from the Guardian.

——–
Ronaldo said the defeat was in part down to Ferguson’s tactics. “We had 10 [good] minutes and then we never found ourselves again,” he said. “The tactics were not good and everything went wrong.” The forward also left his future open to doubt. Asked whether he would be at Old Trafford next season, he replied: “I don’t know.”
—–

Sometimes, even winkerwanker talks some sense.

And then the guardian article goes on further

—–
Ferguson was particularly disappointed about the manner in which Nemanja Vidic had allowed Samuel Eto’o to get past him for the opening goal. “Our whole season has been built on our defensive strength but they were very shoddy goals,” said the United manager. “It has to be said that it was shoddy defending, particularly the first goal, which gave them a great boost.
—–

Yes, you guessed it, rafa was the first to capitalise on the weakness of vidic against quick footed players, and yet fungus blames vidic. Note that Messi was playing up front in the beginning of the second half. No tactics to cover vidic’s weakness.

My mate just sent me this one.
Welder required to weld roof back on Double Decker Bus, Apply at Old Trafford”..

Congratulation to Barcelona!

I was reading some of the comments across various forums and i was surprised to see some Chelsea fans stating how lucky Barcelona are to win it. Moreover they seem to forget how lucky they were to come out victorious against us. We battered them in the 1st half that night.

They deserved the trophy because their passion to win it was more. Remember how they kept on playing their brand of football even after going down to 10 men at Stamford Bridge? Not a single shoulder dropped.

Iniesta and Xavi at this moment are the best midfield paring in the world. The art and geometry with which they played all through the season was amazing. Messi again proved why he is a genius. The moment where 3 united players dragged him down and inspite of that he got up and wanted to run..the ball still in his feet only to be stopped by the free kick awarded by the referee was the defining moment according to me. He showed what a honest footballer he is.

United are arrogant and i rue the fact that we dont have enough teams in the premier league to beat them often. Congrats to Barca. I admire their philosophy of football.

I slept alot easier last night, at least the brakes are out on the hype machine for now.

At lease half of the manc team were not up to the standard, they can get away with it the prem most Weeks, but were exposed badly last night.

I wonder will there be much made of the 60m worth of talent in Tevez and Berbacock on the bench.

PFA award for Giggs was also exposed as a joke award based on the past season also.

Even Dumphy said last night Liverpool would not have allowed the barca midfield dominate them like that last night.

Sweet!

Corky, Dumphy semi-praised Liverpool last night?

Now I am worried that Barca winning the CL has all been a dream

To Barca. Mucho Gracias.

The silence at me workplace is DEAFENING!!!

ps: Skeat’s “Ptui” @ 141. Been in China far too long have you?

Ronaldo also said

“I cannot explain,” “We, the players, were not well, the tactics were not good… everything went wrong.

“We have to give credit to Barcelona, but they were a bit lucky to be here because Chelsea did not deserve to lose and no-one has mentioned that.

“I have to congratulate Barcelona, they were better, but football is just like this: only the winners get talked about.”

Its as if he think Man U should not play the best teams, they should only play mediocre ones in Europe every year!

Scouse by blood: They normally do get to play the average teams every year. I can understand them being irate that barca were lucky to get past the chav’s I mean it’s unfair that another team can have some luck when we know that the mancs have cornered the market on luck.

As soon as they came up against a decent team they were found out it’s as simple as. The gooners in the semi were shocking.

Inter Milan should have scored at least 3 goals at old twatford, but there is no talk about that!

Bara got their bit of luck against the chavs, the mancs got it last season with Terry slipping, but best part was the mancs weakness being exposed so easily last night. We did the same thing in March

Gary Ablett leads quartet out of Liverpool exit door

FOUR of Liverpool’s backroom staff will be released as part of the ongoing review of the club’s Academy.
Reserve team manager Gary Ablett is the most prominent name of the quartet with Rafael Benitez reassessing the set-up beneath the first team.
Under-18s manager Hugh McAuley, under-16 coach Dave Shannon and under-14s coach Paul Lever are also set leave, with their departures expected next week.

Talk about Rafa wielding the axe – damn!!

Latest player linked to Liverpool – Javi Martinez for £10m. Possible replacement for Alonso….

At half 7pm last nite i recieved a phone call from my boss. She told me i didnt have to come into work today. I immediately went and bought a huge carry out went to a mates……… the rest as they say was history!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH BARCA

INIESTA YOU WERE AMAZING. TRULY AMAZING.

MAN SCUM SHOWN FOR THE PETULANT FUCKS THEY ARE!

Now let this be the spring board- ronaldo & tevez fuck off and watch the rot set in.

liverpool 5 man u 3 YOU CANT CATCH US!!!

Hows it going lads
Puyol was savage yesterday and Iniesta is pure class
Ushited have no real back-up plan; throw 60 million on the pitch and watch it do nothing!!
They actually missed Fletcher har de har
anyway thats the craic she said with one leg up on the table

over and out

another myth that needs to be put to bed soon is how gracious the scum manager and players have been in defeat – bollocks! There have been no complaints because they were so thoroughly outclassed and outplayed that even dumb f*cks like apeboy and ladyboy know that they’ll only embarras themselves by making excuses.

if this had been a close game we would have seen the diving messi, cheating puyol, biased referee knives out by now.

well done barca – atleast the missus is in a good mood.

YNWA

Hey lads
heres someting to be proud of

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mp7ZjvcW2A

over and out

Doesn’t seem like anyone wants to talk about Liverpool today.

thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/4-barcelona-fans-killed-in-nigeria/?hp

Pretty much shows how classless these Scum fans are, wherever they are in the world.

Just back from Liverpool. Had a great week up there, so good I need a holiday now. Brilliant time. Went to Anfield on Sunday. Sad to see another legend leave. They say you’re getting old when policemen start looking young. Well, believe me, it’s far worse seeing footballers finish when they’re still twenty odd years younger than yourself.

But a big thank you to the Big Finn. What a servant that lad has been to the club. I’d be more than happy if Rafa gives him a coaching job when he finally hangs up his boots.

Went to the SOS end of season do after the match. A great night out. Would recommend it to anyone who can make it next season – and hopefully we’ll have something to really celebrate then. Sami turned up there with Cara, couldn’t get near them but great to see the big lad off in style.

Fuck Rome. Who needs to go the Vattican when you can go to Yatesie’s wine lodge. In truth, I timed our holiday to fit in with the final. Thank fuck I never booked the hotel and tickets. I was a gnat’s knob away from doing it, and I was gutted when it went tits up. But a great week in Liverpool and that result last night… well, I’d be a liar to say it was near as good as going to Rome and winning it. But it wasn’t that far off either.

Gracias Barca! Muy, muy bien.

So that’s where you’ve been FS! Some of my mates were also at the game in Anfield to see off Sami, where were you sitting? Perhaps they might have seen your giant figure. lol

For them, they flew all the way from Hong Kong last Friday night to Heathrow, and then drove up to Liverpool on Saturday, also timing their trip to end yesterday. If the circumstances permit, maybe I’ll plan such a pilgrimage myself next year to witness No. 19.

NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!

The north west water board have issued a flash warning for floods as there is a million scousers pissing themselves laughing

Torres just got a pay rise!

Pranjic:

“For me it is really, really incredible if I imagine I can play for Liverpool,” Pranjic told Sky Sports News.

“It is a dream for every player, it is the biggest club in England.

“I am very fast, I can run a lot and I think that is what you need in England.

“If I can choose between England or maybe Spain, I would choose Spain because I like that kind of football, that kind of life.

“I like good weather and in England it is always raining and that is what I don’t like about England.

“But if Liverpool come for me of course I cannot say no.”

“bob paisley r.i.p ur records still safe,fergie cant get 3. you did it in 5 yrs wiv total class,fergies spent millions an 2decades hav passed”

One is owned by its fans the other has sold its soul to the evil of capitalism. One wears the mark of corrupt bankers upon its shirt the other sports the logo of unicef bringing hope to poor everywhere. One has the cross of christ on its badge the other has satan. Its the ultimate good versus evil. You must choose which side you’re on!!! VIVE LA BARCA!!

Babel not ready to leave
Dutch flyer not seeking Anfield exit – just yet

Ryan Babel’s agent insists the Holland international winger has no plans to leave Liverpool until he proves himself.

The 22-year-old Dutch flyer arrived with a lofty reputation at Anfield, but has so far failed to secure regular first-team football under Rafa Benitez.

Babel, who has been linked with moves to Aston Villa, Spurs and Arsenal, has predominantly been utilised off the bench by Benitez prompting speculation he could now be offloaded this summer.

Despite the reported interest, Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht insists the pacey wide-man will not consider leaving until he has succeeded on Merseyside.

“We’ll get around the table with Mr Benitez soon to evaluate the season,” he told Sportwereld.

“He has not had the time to establish himself.

“Ryan left Ajax for Liverpool because he wanted to win trophies and, so far, he hasn’t succeeded.

“Ryan wants to leave Liverpool as a first-team player with a prize in his pocket. He is not ready to go.”

Meanwhile, the Reds’ reserve-team boss Gary Ablett, who has been in the post for three seasons, will leave the club at the end of the month.

LB, here’s something from the Guardian….

Ryan Babel looks to be on the verge of leaving Liverpool, after manager Rafael Benítez told the Dutch winger’s agent that Babel is free to talk to other clubs about a possible move. Babel arrived at Anfield in July 2007 for £11.5m, and has scored 14 goals in 91 matches for the club – although only 42 of those have been starting appearances.

He has reportedly asked for assurances that he will be given more of an opportunity next season. But following discussions with the player’s agent, Winnie Haatrecht, Benítez has been unable to offer such guarantees. Babel started only six times in the Premier League this term, and it now appears that Benítez is ready to use the 22-year-old to raise funds.

Babel was signed from Ajax, who yesterday appointed Martin Jol as their new manager, but the asking price to re-sign their former player would rule out the Dutch club.

The player has admirers in England, with Aston Villa, Tottenham and Arsenal believed to be interested. Benítez needs to sell before he can buy, with Carlos Tevez, David Silva and Gareth Barry on the Merseyside club’s wish list.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/may/27/ryan-babel-agent-liverpool-departure

That’s why I always say take no notice. They just start filling them with any bollox. As a good scouser once said about the papers…
They’re just tomorrow’s fish and chip paper!

As for the other fella, Pranjic… what a knobhead.

I saw that interview on Sly. All I can say is… I can’t see Rafa liking that mentalitee.

That’s a good one that, roarin-red. And not that far fetched either. In fact, I think Fergie’s little deal with the devil is about up. I can’t wait to get to grips with them. I don’t think it’s over the top to say, last night could be the start of the long slow rot.

Kinny, you mustn’t have seen my posts before I left. If you’d have told me that before I went, I’d have shown your mates a few good things to do at Anfield and in The Pool.

After the African Arsenal fan killing himself after United beat them…

ttp://news.uk.msn.com/world/article.aspx?cp-documentid=147619487&ocid=hotmail

Everyone is wax-lyrical about Barca today and rightly so but am I the only one who thinks that we would have done them.

Xabi and Mascher shutting down the midfield providing the platform for Torres and SG to slaughter their makeshift back four.

We will never know for sure but what do you think?

Lurgankop think youmight be right as we could beat any team in the world on our day, and when it comes to euro finals we normally stepup to the plate, so yes i think your rightwe would have stitgh them up we would not have given in like the scum did.

walk on

Lurgan mate, Barca played a shite team. The English media, in fact most of the world’s media just don’t understand what’s going on. Most of them just look at it through their manc tinted glasses, and therefore if someone beats the mancs they must be brilliant….
Bollox.

Except for that performance against Arsenal, the mancs have been shite since we pannelled them. I’m not even going to go on about their crap performances this season. We all, or we all should, know how bad they were. And that was all season, not just the last couple of months.

Look back on their season – tight 1 – 0 wins that they could have easily lost.

And all that happened against Barca was… the mancs were playing a team that hadn’t thrown the towel in before kicking a ball. They were also facing a manager that actually understands tactics and knew how to nullify any threat the mancs had. The ref wasn’t in their pocket. And the tramp and his team got found out.

Take a long good look at the untied team and squad…
VDS – in my honest opinion, nowhere near a top notch keeper.

Defence – Ferdinand a crock. Vidic been found out.
Evra same as Vidic – been found out, fucked without Rooney tracking back. Other full backs and centre halves – collection of second raters, promising kids and auld timers past their sell by date.

Midfield – Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Park, Nanni, Anderson, Hargreaves – what a collection of pure shite. How much did that motley crew cost? FFS, name one you’d prefer over ours?

Attack – Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov. 4 quality top class players? Well, 3 without a doubt. But… will 2 of them even be there next season? Is the third one, Berbatov, as good as he was made to look at Spurs? My answer to that is, thank fuck we never paid 30 mill for the lazy sulky bastard. Rooney – dispicable knobhead but without doubt a great player.
But what use is that when he’s played out of position and spends most of his time on the field charging round like a 10 year old trying to win every game on his todd.

And that just about sums up the tramp’s grasp of tactics…. Throw on all my dead expensive attacking players and just tell them to get stuck in and sort it out.

I’ve been saying it for weeks. I still believe it now and stand by it… we’re moving into a new era. Some wise moves by Rafa, Macia (and a few bob from that pair of pricks) and we can come out of this back on our perch.

Lads check out this link, older but still funny:

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW-KxpCknM8

In particular Xabi’s answer to “Laziest Trainer”, any guesses who it was?

FS: We’re singing off the same hymn sheet. I’ve had that conversation with my brother plenty of times. We are sick of teams being beaten before they play the dirty scum. The forward line is excellent, even the lazy sulky git Berba is capable of a flash of genius but they have to have the service and if you don’t allow their midfield to play which is quite easy to do if you have a grasp of the game then they can be beat.

Somebody said in the media – How many LFC players would get into the barca side? My answer – err quite a few actually.

Reina or Valdes? No brainer
Torres and Gerrard would get into any team in the world.
Agger and Skyrtle – Marquez/Pique/Puyol again no brainer. So for me at least 5.

Laziest trainer? Is it Babel?

Whats always beening stated by the media over here is that only SG and Torres would get in to the mancs team.

I suppose some calls would be 50/50 like Carra or Vidic, but how could any now saw that Xabi & Mash are not better than any thing the mancs can offer.

Looking ahead Agger and Skrtel are better than cokehead and as has been said I would swap Reina for anyone.

Things change very quickly in football (Ask Newcastle) and i can feel something in my waters!

Corkie:

Reina, Agger, Carra, Arbie, Monster, Alonso, Gerrard and Torres would be defo’s for me. I would hypothetically take(I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole) Rooney/Tevez/Ronaldo for our team.

I’m not sure I’m ready to write off the mancs just yet. They’ve won 3 titles in a row and got to 2 CL finals in a row. That final was their first defeat in 26 CL games. That’s not bad is it?

I’m very sure that we are on our way up but I’m not so sure they are on their way down. Last time I was sure of their decline was when they went 3 years without winning the league. They responded by winning 3 straight PLs and a CL. In that time we’ve made great progress but won fuck all.

I am not writing them off either LB, but 3 days ago, there was talk of this manc team being the best ever.

We have players signing 4/5 year contracts because they are more certain of the future with Rafa also in place for 5 years.

How long more whiskey nose will be around, no one knows and these question will be asked more and more. this has an effect on players no question, in terms of their futures etc

Fat Scouser,
Agree with most of what you said @195. But the key sentence in the post, more than any other is “Look back on their season – tight 1 – 0 wins that they could have easily lost.” The point is that they didnt lose them, regardless of other factors (and i agree with you about them). At the end of the day 11 draws doesnt deserve to win you the premier league. This is the area we need to see an improvement in and I think we already have the solution in place. In my mind, our season turned on the first Madrid game. The team seemed to cut loose of the negative shackles and play to dominate teams rather than just trying to sneak a win. Confidence ensued and we looked almost unbeatable the remainder of the season. If we can maintain the positive attitude and play every game playing to win rather than playing not to lose this is a team more than gooe enough to win the league as seen by 14 points out of a possible 18 against Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal.

Also, to say that Evra got found out when he didnt have Rooney covering for him is a little mis-leading. Such a big part of the game is having a mid-fielder roll up his sleeves and protect his back 4. If I need to provide any evidence of this look at the CL game against Chelsea where there was a noticable drop off with no Mascherano and Essien was fantastic for Chelsea and really limited Stevie

Corky, your right mate. The media was lauding the mancs as the best squad in the history of the world. Taggart talking about the best squad he’s ever had. It’s ridiculous.

Before the game Gullit said Ronaldo was the most complete player of all time. After the game Iniesta was the best player in the world. It’s laughable.

According to the Times we are willing to pay £25m for Tevez.

Morning lads, needed a long lie in there. Getting too old for them wild ones. Oh well, recover today.

As for me last comment, I stand by it. I’ve been saying it for weeks. But I think it’s not clear what I actually said…
I never said the mancs will fall to bits overnight. Neither did I say that about Chelsea or Arsenal. What I did say and have said all along is… this could be one of them transition times that happen every now and again, and, with a few smart moves on our part, we could come out of the pack of four with our noses in front and we could go on to dominate football for quite awhile if we play our cards right.

I can’t be arsed going on about the mancs, chavs or arse. We should all be able to see the problems they have, and we all know we’ve got problems of our own. And when I weigh them all up, I only see one thing that can stop us from moving ahead now… yes, them cunts. But I don’t want to put meself on a downer over them.

Because even 3 seasons without a trophy an the Mancs equalling our title record, can’t sway me from this conclusion… You haven’t just seen a flash in the pan title challenge. LFC are back, proper back this time and back to stay.

It’s not going to be easy. There’ll be more upsets. The others won’t just fall apart. But mark my words, and yes you can pull me up and slag me to your hearts content if I am wrong. But I have seen these times before and believe me, it’s no longer a matter of “If.” It’s now when. And I have a feeling that could be very quick.

As for Evra and Vidic, I still stand by what I said… they have been found out. Evra is crap when faced with a pacey winger. Yes a fullback needs some cover from midfield. They all do. But the lad just can’t defend when ran at without that cover. A quick diagonal or through ball behind him and he’s knacked.

As for Vidic he turns slower than the Titanic. get behind him and he’s completely done for. And it’s easy to get behind him, because, inlike the fella this blog is originally about, he doesn’t read the game to compensate for that deficency. And Rio is how old now? I’m not sure, but I know this… He’s fast becoming a crock. And a quick ball through the middle of them and they are done.

Not making a rally call here, lads. No need to. The writing’s on the wall.

The June ed of the Kop mag says that there will be a new coach coming to Anfield, whose brother is an ex Red player.The new coach is presently working for another club.Does anybody know what happened to Ric George who used to write for the LFC mag?.

LB… the media love-in with the mancs has gone on for as long as I can remember. It will never change. The problem with it this season was… other knobhead manager’s were believing it. Don’t underestimate how many points they won because other manager’s sent their teams out already beaten because they believed the hype.

Some of them 1-0′s would have been draws and loses if other team’s hadn’t believed all that shit.

Look at Fulham/Hodgson… fucking anihilated by the mancs in the cup. Remember Hodgson’s pre-match white flag waving. A week later we batter the mancs. Rafa hands out a rocket to other manager’s. Hodgson/Fulham went out and actually tried – Bingo. 3 points and mancs throwing wobblers and dummy spiting.

If MON and Redknapp had just held their nerve, the mancs mightened have recovered.

I hope we get them very early next season. Rip them apart and give other team’s the belief they can get something instead of taking the pitch beaten.

And you know what… I might have it wrong. Even the media might turn against them. Times have changed. The media isn’t as loyal, and lets face it, there must be loads of hacks and pundits just itching to get their knives out on the tramp. He’s made a lot of enemies.

Fs: As I said before singing, hymn sheet, same.

Vidic is strong when the ball is in front of him same as John (blubber) Terry. When the ball is played behind them or a fast striker pushes it past them, they have to resort to a rugby tackle or a cynical body check.

Obviously LB the mancs are not crap but they are not the world beaters the media have hyped them up to be. Their midfield in my opinion is poor now that Scholes and Giggs are past it. They could go out and spend a fortune to put it right but we seem to be on the march. As we all have said this summer’s transfers are CRUCIAL.

FS, for Vidic, it’s actually on his right side that he can’t turn quickly. Rafa identified this and when you look back at the manc game, Torres was constantly targeting this area. Smart guy our Rafa

Also in the CL final, the first time Eto’o has a one-on-one with Vidic, he goes straight for the same area and vidic is left floundering.

When Evra is exposed he can be got at, as Gerrard proved during the Manc game but I still wouldn’t mind have a player of his ilk in our squad to call upon.

Also I believe that the transition process has well and truly started and I see us winning the league next year. We better do since I have several 50 quid bets on with Manc-friends that we will do it.

Rafa however seems to have the same opinion as he is moving faster than we have done for years in the transfer market. He’s tied up the important players on long term deals even Agger who FS was positive was on his way out. It seems he has identified his targets and wants them done and dusted asap. I detect a steely determination in Rafa, he means business and whats happening at the academy is showing his ruthlesness. With Parry out Rafa seems to be sorting out how fast and more importantly secretly our transfers are done.

LB, you’re giving the Scum too much credit than they really deserve.

You’re only looking from the perspective of the CL games, of course they seemed superior prior to the Barca match. But when you look in context starting from our 4-1 Old Crapford demolition, you should know they’re hardly convincing, and had to rely on opponents being more crap than they are.

Also, the way they “responded” was hardly convincing, with Ladyboy’s diving antics and Ferguscum’s ref network going in full gear. We won fuck all because we failed to capitalize on these weak points prior to the 4-1 demolition.

Ever since that 4-1 match, Liverpool just felt more assured of themselves, and rarely looked like losing. While the Scum was getting anxious and was mightily relieved Lady Luck decided to become a Scum supporter this season.

Even if they are not on their way down, they are what I call “stagnant” as Ferguscum is running out of ideas, as all he knows is to splash out millions just to conceal his tactical ineptitude against teams like us and Barca.

In the long run, as long as Liverpool perform like they did in the games since the 4-1 demolition and not lose many points against these little to mid-sized clubs, Ferguscum is finished.

Nah Kenny. I never said Agger was definetely on his way out. What I said all along was The Ball Was In His Court.

I also said, I wouldn’t be suprised if he didn’t sign but I really hoped he would. I had me reasons for suspecting he mightn’t. I still know the same things. But I wouldn’t slag him in here before he put pen to paper and I certainly won’t slag him now he has signed. But what I did say all along was… Our Danny isn’t the most, well, let’s just say conventional of lads. But it’s settled now and I’m happy as anyone that he stayed. Him and Skrtle have the potential to become our best ever center half paring.

They’re one of the reasons why I believe we are seeing a shift in power. When people talk of the greatest LFC teams they have ever seen, they usually rave about or attackers and midfields. But them great teams also had great center halfs behind them… Yates/Strong, Hughes/Thompson, Hansen/Lawrenson.

This team is already good enough to win the title. A few smart signings, which I hope Tevez isn’t one of them, and we can go onto dominate for a good few seasons.

I dunno Kinny. The points you guys raise are indeed valid. But the cold facts are there. The mancs won more games than we did and therefore more points. As far as I’m concerned they proved over 9 months that they were the best. We played league winning football for 3 months (March-May) and it was only during this spell that I as a fan was confident we’d win when going into a fixture.

Prior to that spell I wasn’t quite sure what type of performance we’d get in a game. My hope is that we have the same positive attitude from August. Really go at teams and be ruthless. Especially at home. There were a few games during the season where we only showed urgency when we were behind or when the scores were level with 15 mins left. Against Hull we were 2-0 down, got back to 2-2 with nearly an hour left to play. I don’t think we created a chance in the 2nd half. The attitude seemed to be that we were top so we didn’t really need to get 3 points. That all changed after we lost to Boro, the mancs were 7pts clear with a game in hand and the fans and media were criticising us and most people thought it was all over. With no pressure and nothing to lose it was all out after that game and we only dropped a further 2 points.

It’s my personal feeling that had we gone to Old Trafford level on points or above them we’d have played a containing game rather than going after them. So what will we do next season? Will we show the same approach we have done since March? I hope so coz we are a much better side when we go after teams.

LB… that goes back to the belief argument.

The lads just weren’t used to being on top for that long. Neither was the fans. The media constantly having a go. Fergie constantly having a go. It all took it’s affect.
You think they won’t know better next time?
You think the mancs will be better next season?

Hopefully so.
Not really.

LIVERPOOL FC striker Fernando Torres has married his childhood sweetheart in a secret ceremony in his Spanish homeland.

Torres, 25, married Olalla Dominguez, 23, in a ceremony with just two guests.

The couple were married in tiny El Escorial town hall north of Madrid for a low-key ceremony conducted by a local councillor.

They have been together for eight years and decided to tie the knot before Olalla, who is seven months pregnant, gives birth in the summer.

Such a humble lad our Nando….

Came back into say that LB. Good on the lad. Puts the likes of Rooney and Beckham to shame. And you know, in a way that’s always been the difference between the two clubs – flash arrogance v humility.

Do you know the mancs took the league cup and premiere trophy to parade on the pitch with CL trophy in Rome. HA! Arrogant bastards. Finally knocking them down will be so sweet.

Congratulations to our Nando for extending his contract AND finally getting married (much to the devastation of some of his fangirls lol ).

LB, like I said before, we won fuck all while the Scum won almost everything during the last 3 years only because we failed to capitalize on the Scum’s weak points prior to the 4-1 demolition.

FS in #215 puts it best, it’s all down to belief and whether you want to believe that Rafa and the boys have now learned their lesson and figured out the key.

What no Hello deal for the pictures or an invite into their home, no castle booked for their wedding, no vip guest list? Nando can’t be a proper footballer like Posh n Becks or our Colleen and Wayne like.

FS: Regards Agger I’m glad he’s signed as well, just pointing out after all he said and what you thought as your in the know that Rafa getting him to sign shows he means business and that can only be good for us. After having Parry in charge of what usually turns out to be a debacle it’s a refreshing change.

Forgot to add, Torres extending his contract illustrates the difference in club values between us and the Scum.

Torres shows he is willing to commit everything for the good of the club.

Diving Wanker shows he is willing to fuck everyone up, including Mister Ferguscum, for the good of his own pathetic ego.

Kinny, Torres has had a pay increase. It’s not an extension as his original contract was for 6 years expiring in 2013. He’s gone from £90k a week to £120k a week. I see it as a reward for Nando rather than him showing further commitment but to be fair your right. Everything he’s about is a complete contrast to the likes of Ronaldo.

It’s the Alonso contract I’d like to see extended.

LB, you give me a right giggle. You never fail to find the fly in the ointment. That’s not a dig. Your doubt and pessimistic skew on things really does make me laugh. I think sometime in your life you must have fell into a barrel of tits and came out only sucking your thumb!

But I must agree, seeing Alonso getting tied into a longer deal would make my day.

However, like I’ve said many times… the best signing LFC made this season was Rafa, and I’m sure he’s working hard right now on solving the Alonso problem. Hopefully it will just end up with a longer contract for Xabi and, from all that’s been said lately – by Rafa, Xabi and his agent – you have to believe that will be the outcome.

FFS, I always forget to say what I originally meant to say. Alzheimer’s or Carling. Probably both. But anyway, me point was…
LB, Xabi still has 3 years left on his contract. All the talk from the manager, the player and his agent, is saying the same thing – Xabi’s happy at LFC and doesn’t want to move.

But I have to admit, there is still something worrying about the lad’s position. I’m just not sure if that’s down to the media’s michief stirring or there is an actual problem.

I suppose there’s nothing we can do but wait and see, as I won’t believe a thing I read in the media.

It’s the numerous false dawns FS. Unlike you I haven’t had the privilege of seeing the team come through periods of slump to conquer the world – as you have. I don’t have that type of precedence to fall back on. I’ve supported LFC since 1987 when I was 9 years old but seriously began following LFC and football since the early 90s. I have Souness, Evans and Houllier era to fall back on. Every summer since‘91 I optimistically looked forward to winning the league – only to be left bitterly disappointed. So you guys will have to forgive the pessimism.

This summer I have a belief we’ll win it next season but it’s a cautious and a wary belief unlike you guys that seem totally convinced.

Just to go into further detail so you guys will maybe understand why I am this way inclined.

I remember in 1991 when Arsenal won the league. We bought Saunders and Mark Wright, Souness was manager and I thought “Right, we have a legend as boss who has won trophies galore with Rangers, we have the best centre half in the country and one of the best strikers. We’ll win it for sure!”

A year later we bought Nigel Clough and I thought that would do it for us.

Under Roy Evans I thought Ian Rush was past it and we needed another striker to compliment Fowler. Also if we improved the defence we’d win the league. We bought Phil Babb who was very good in the world cup against players like Roberto Baggio. We bought Collymore for a record fee. I thought Collymore would be an absolute superstar for us. Well Babb was awful – if anything the defence got worse, we all know how Collymore turned out. It was also said we were too soft in midfield with Barnes and Redknapp – we needed some steel and leadership to supplement the spice boys. Barnes got turfed and we brought in Paul Ince. That didn’t really work out.

Houllier comes in and it goes great up to 2002 but then after a near death illness seemed to lose his mind. Let players such as Fowler, Anelka, Litmanin, Barmby, Babbel go and brings in Diouf, Diao, Cheyrou.

Rafa comes in and by then the club is skint so can’t compete financially. We win the CL which I thought we had a cat in hell’s chance to do so that was fantastic. Had a great season 2005/06 but a not so good following season. We all reckon a decent bit of investment and new stadium and we’re on our way. So we get bought out by 2 Yanks and most of us think it’s the start of a new era. We’ll have money to compete in the transfer market. But no. The 2 yanks turn out to be cunts and the club goes through its worse period off the pitch in its history.

Despite this the team seems to again be on the brink of some great things. And a voice in my head is asking “Ok… what’s going to go wrong now?”

On the Xabi situation. I just have a feeling he wants to leave. Reading between the lines. Rafa has a meeting with the agent. Certain journalists reckon the agent told Rafa that Alonso wants to go to Real. When asked about this Rafa said he did meet with the agent but what was said is private. He didn’t deny that the agent said Xabi wants to leave. He said he doesn’t want to sell the player but that’s a bit different than saying we’re not selling the player. If Rafa is asked if Stevie or Nando will be sold the answer is rather more staunch. “No, not for sale, how dare you even suggest it”.

Another thing that gives me this feeling is Alonso thinking to himself last summer “You think Gareth Barry is better than me? Ok, I’ll fucking show you how good I am and then I’ll fuck off”. Then there is the rumour about the wife wanting to raise the children in Spain.

Obviously this could all be and probably is complete bullshit but it’s what I reckon could be the case.

We’ll find out soon though as Perez has won the president election due to the other candidates dropping out. The bids will be coming soon.

Well LB mate, I suppose supporting through Souness years is akin to falling out a barrel of tits and coming out sucking your thumb.

But before I say me piece on that… you’ve hit the Xabi situation right on the head. I know about the Rafa/agent meeting. Rafa went bonkers that it got leaked to the press. Which I can’t decide is good or bad.

I also worry Xabi is concerned by the thought of Barry arriving – even though I think it won’t result in direct competition between the 2 players if Barry comes.

The wife bit, isn’t a rumour. It’s stated fact. And Xabi has also said he’d like to return to Spain one day. And yep, there’s Perez to worry about.

That’s why I say at the end of the day, all you can really do is hope it all works out and Xabi stays. But if he goes, we’ll just have to get on with it. Although I honestly don’t think it will come to that.

As for the trasition times, we’ll think about it LB… you have seen it before yourself. You have seen the rise of the mancs and the times when Arsenal and Chelsea have risen to stop them. and if you bear that in mind, and look at the situation now, I’m sure you’ll start feeling a bit more optimistic about our chances.

Like I’ve been saying for months… it’s not going to be easy. The other three won’t just fall apart. But we are definetely in a position were we can force our way ahead, but unlike Chelsea and Arsenal, it won’t be a small shift of power and then back to business as usual. I can’t be arsed going on about the reasons why I believe this. Besides, I’ve said me piece on us and the rest of them many times.

Just think of it like you are having a bet – take a proper look at the situation all 4 clubs are in and decide who you’d put your money on.

As soon as I’m fit to face the outside world again, I’m going to go and drop me few bob on us being 19/6 next season.

Gerry, is there something up with the main site?

Over the past 3 seasons the Mancs have averaged 89 points-easily their best for 3 consecutive years.It took Taggart 14 years to break the 85 point barrier-Rafa has done it in 5.I think Chelsea will easily improve on their 83 points tota-96 points needed to win the title next season?.

Yep FS, on the Xabi issue, if we lose hm we’ll just have to get on with it. I reckon if a player wants to leave there is no point trying to hold on. Get the best price one can and move on. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that but we’ll see.

On the transition issue I think you’re right and I am optimistic. Maybe I’m not totally convinced but I am optimistic – more so than I have been for a very long time. In fact I might have a cheeky bet on myself. Whats the odds for us to win the league and CL next season? Individually and the double?

By the way is it me or was the site knackered over the past several hours?

Burgerman, regardng Chelsea it depends who is their manager and whether Drogba will be there next season.

The top 4 might be closer together next season. Hopefully we run away with it. That’ll spare us shitting ourselves in April/May 2010!

orite lads… haven’t been on for awhile… mad busy.

But here’s a thought for you…

The first two men rafa tried to sign, were Sami Lee and Gary MacAllister… for his backroom staff.
They both declined the offer for differing reasons.
But Rafa got Sami, and now looks to be bringing G-Mac back (along with KK)

That’s already “a good summer’s business” in my book.

All of the top 4 are at a crossroads this summer and the right or wrong moves will determine their fate… especially since Everton & Fulham who are 2 good signings away from competing to break into the top 4 and perhaps Villa, Spurs & Man City who could potentially buy their way into the frame… particularly if any of the “top 4″ stumble this summer.

I think this is going to be a particularly interesting transfer window.

Very quiet in here today lads.

Aitch i`d say Fulham will need more than two signings away from top four but i do agree when you say this summer is vital.I`ll expect everton spurs and maybe citea to flirt with the possibility of getting in there but realistically the top four will stay the same but in what order is another story.Again all depends on the summers in`s and outs.

Sorry for stating the bleeding obvious, but…

Well, there’s no guarantees LB. Somethings you just have to wait and see. Some you can take an educated guess at. Others, you just have to take a leap of faith.

Xabi? Who knows. I’m just taking the leap of faith based on everything the boss, the payer and his agent have said.

Moving ahead of the pack next season? Suppose that comes under leap of faith an all. But the signs are there. So I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.

I agree tim, the likelihood is of course, that the top 4 will remain the same.

But if the Arse don’t get 2 hard men for midfield and center back, I think they could be in real trouble next season. (especially if one or two of the pretty boys piss off with Adebayor coz they’ve had enough… and who knows what’ll happen if Wenger leaves?)

Chavs. If they lose Drogba, they lose 5 wins, no matter how good Anelka is (and I personally do rate him… biggest Ged mistake not signing that lad) but I don’t think he makes up for the cheating wins Drogs gets them. The FACup will be a boost to them, but the management situation is a total wild card for that lot of pissy “stars”.

And likewise, if Scum lose Winker and Tevez, thats at least a dozen wins right there that someone else has to make up.

As FS stated… I think we are best poised to take advantage this summer if Rafa makes the right moves and he looks to be doing so by getting his “boot room 2k” in order.

Everton… better than anyone in here will ever give them credit for on their shoestring budget. They need 2 quality signings and at least 2 good squaddies to make the step up though, as evidenced by today’s game.

Fulham… They are my “dark horse” pick. They play some very decent footy and in Hodgson have an underrated manager. Probably need 2 quality singings AND maybe 3-4 good squad lads to make the step up. Not saying they’ll do it, but I think they are capable.

And of course both of the above need favors in the injury department.

Spurs and Citeh… well, buying your way into the top 4 sounds easy, but there’s more to it than buying half a dozen semi-galacticos, and while I reckon they could very well position themselves for a challenge on 4th, with the right buys, they could just as easily get it all horribly wrong.

I just think Everton/Fulham are starting from a stronger position to make a sustained challenge for 4th… should any of the top 4 stumble.

not that i didnt expect it, but real madrid are already using their media outlets to suggest they have already reached a deal for alonso.

http://goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2009/05/31/1296373/real-madrid-liverpool-reach-xabi-alonso-agreement-report

this is what they always do, though…try and unsettle a player they want. they are probably the worst team for that. come on xabi, stay with us!

has everyone went on holiday?

sorry for linking so much but this is great:

ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rfihh4xrjU&NR=1

Makes you proud to be a red, especially when me kids (4 & 6) sing it in harmony!!!

YNWA

this one is not bad either

tp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz_x4Qj_3_c&NR=1

Hi lads, this Alonso rumour won’t go away, on the official site Rafa had to comment on the latest twist in this story, rubbishing claims that Liverpool agreed a deal with Real. If Rafa really wants Alonso to stay as we supporters all do, he must put this story to bed by offering Xabi a new improved contract of four years.
New contracts should be offered to Reina, Carra, Arbeloa, Masch and Alonso so that all the other clubs sniffing around our players can look elsewhere.
As for signings, I trust Rafa has already earmarked and contacted the players he want to bring in. All this media shit that we’re signing this, that and the other its just all garbage!
They don’t have a clue, and if Rafa wants something being published in the newspapers, I trust the Echo would be the first to know. So don’t take care of the other rags.