Glad to hear your back online Ger. You should definitely keep the t-shirt design sideline going, that was a wicked one last blog. Anyway, nice blog but cant agree with your premise that we’d still be in with a shot at the title should we lose both Xabi and Masch. Admire your optimism and faith but my take is we’re built to win now, to hit the ground running, everythings in place. Integrating potentially 2 new (substandard?) signings would seriously, if not fatally damage our chances methinks.

Gerry, nice that you plan to keep the t-shirt design going….as usual excellent blog.
Losing both Masch and Xabi will certainly dent out hopes of #19….in short, we can’t afford to lose either one now. Rafa has developed a system that worked so well and proven (10 wins and 1 draw in our last 11 games said it all). The spine (Pepe, Carra, Gerrard, Xabi, Masch, Kuyt,Torres) is untouchable as of now in my opinion.

Owen is on his way to the scums…..surprising and baffling…

I think the problem with losing either or both, is not Rafa’s inability to find decent replacements, its the fact that for the first time under Rafa’s tenure we were in a position to just buy one or two players and keep the team that had been playing together so well.
By that I mean a minimum of disruption, a team playing with familiarity, able to advance together.

But if the we do lose them, it may unsettle that excellent team spirit that took us so far last season.

On another note can I just say that Michael Owen is a money grabbing whore.
(a statement I will gladly retract if he doesn’t join the mancs)

Nice perspective, Gerry.

But I have to say, depending on who we can bring in, I still feel it would be quite a blow if we lose masch and alonso at the same time. I think masch is replaceable of the two, especially with the money we can sell him for, but it might be a bit difficult to find a substitute for xabi.

Of course, I agree, it will not be a disaster if we lose them, but we need to make sure that if we do, we can find the right replacements by the time the lads get together for pre-season.

It may be an option to bring the new “mature, for-the-team” stevie in to the central position and bring in a great attacking midfielder if we do end up losing either of the two in discussion.

In the final analysis, I won’t be too worried as long as Rafa is in charge. He’s done enough to prove he can spot a talent, so I am sure he knows his options whatever happens.

As to owen going to the mancs….a dream move for owen I suppose, and if anything, owen will be a better fit in the manc set-up. He won’t be able to bring much to our side, but if you think that someone as lazy as berbatov is allowed to play up front and let all the dirty work be done by the players around him, I am sure the same can be said of the crooked owen. Our team play as a unit, and every single player has to make sure they run their butts off or our system will break down.

Hola Seniorita’s,

Been out of the comments for a long while now. partly cause i got the shits with the “sack rafa crowd” and partly cause I havent had the time.

But anyway, forget all that, I just thought I’d pop my head in and say hellom and put in my two cents.

Firstly, Im loving the fact that United have a shitload of money to spend and no one to spend it on (Thank you Real). And now it looks like they are going head to head with Hull City for the signature of Michael ‘the grass is always greener’ Owen. I havent had time for that little shit since he left Anfield, and this has reinforced my opinion. Im actually glad it looks like he is going to Castle Greyskull though…mainly cause I think he is shit these days and not worth the paper his contract is printed on. So well done Slur Alex, you’ve managed to sign a has been that only Hull City were considering signing…an ample replacement for Carlos Tevez. HA! Valencia is an above average player at a below average club. Is he top for standard??? Not a chance. Unless United pull off a very major signing, then I think they will struggle next year….and I actually cant think of any major signing they could make at this point in time….Poor Sir!!!!

Alonso and Masch, as you say Gerry, the rumors wont go away. but we are in the position of having both players tied down on long contracts. So in theory we could tell them both to shut the fuck up and start playing. But as we know, that is never the case in football and if a player wants out, generally, he will get it. I would be gutted if Alonso went. I really would. I think he is the heart beat of our team and equally as important as Stevie-Me. Masch…Im not so bothered about…infact I actually hope he leaves. Rafa has thrown him a massive bone by singing him and he’s been an absolute twat about things now. Carrying on, whoring himself in front of Barca. Let him go. I dont think he’s that good. He’s certainly very replaceable. Yes he chases the ball well and hounds players, but apart from that he doesnt do a hell of alot…he’s passing is poor and his shooting is only proves dangerous to the folk in row Z. If he doesnt want to be part of this Liverpool team, then let him go. There are plenty of descent defensive midfeilders out there and for 25 million that is being stated we could get someone of Masch’s qaulity (or better) and have some change left over. I for one certainly wouldnt miss his mouthing off and shouting at referees. I’ve never particularly thought he was a particularly “liverpool” player anyway. So my ideas would be Cash in on Masch and fight tooth and nail to keep Xabi.

Chelsea look like they are a trend which is no longer fashionable and no one wants to sign for them anymore. Arsenal dont have a pot to piss in and this season will be one season too early for Citeh…plus their manager is shite. So all in all, it looks like this season is going to be red…mersey red!!!

We will win the EPL by 7 points. You heard it here first.

Hope your all well and not going to insane without football.

Nice blog Gerry.

As they say in Life of Brian “Always look on the Bright Side of Life!”

I’m sure to be digging out this old tune if we sell one or the other…

This is a good blog I found with more on why Alonso is so special including stats.

ttp://ohyoubeauty.blogspot.com/

Good that your Laptop is up and running perfect again.

I dont agree with your view that we could still win title # 19 without our two central midfielders. I dont think we can replace them with the same quality coz we dont have the money. Do you see anyone filling up the void? Winning the title as always been about having a good strong squad. We saw it last time, we have a playing XI good enough to beat all our tital rivals but we dont have a swaud powerful enough to win matches against the odds. I think we will be weak if we loose either of them.

In truth, no one’s bigger than this club and it’s sad that the players themselves haven’t come out more clearly to make a stand – yes, I blame them in that regard. To me, Masch and Alonso were turned to the stars they’re by Rafa’s vision, with the Argentinian an underappreciated benchwarmer at Upton Park. Alonso was one more good player from Spain but in a very anonymous club, Real Sociedad.

This doesn’t mean I expect kowtowing to all things LFC. Not at all. They’re at liberty to move on, even if it means short-term loss for the club. Loss of Xabi’s passing acumen will definitely force a rethink in our gameplan. But it’s also worth noting (from a realistic point of view) that he’s 27 too. Masch’s loss is more painful, going by age (at 24). To me, we can live.

What are our positives? Rafa’s continued presence like a colossus at Anfield. A crop of talented youngsters in our academy – Plessis, N’gog, Nemeth, Lucas, Spearing, Darby, and Pacheco – just waiting to burst out. A fanatical home support and fabulous stadium. A fantastic spine. The best XI in the PL and beyond. The other reason, understated and out of the media radar, is enumerated below.

Once more, at the beginning of our season, our best additions to the squad might be more important than our omissions. Last year it was Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino’s addition to the backroom staff. This year it’s two more from Celta Vigo, Senors Eduardo Parra Garcia (Fitness Coach) and Ivan Ortega (physiotherapist).

I suspect our team’s fitness regime is about to undergo even more cutting edge changes. So will the healing and care process of players change. This can only bode well from the first team squad.

I cannot see anything other than a bright future at Anfield.

On another side note, Rafa’s entry to Liverpool, to me the chief highlight of Parry’s tenure as CEO, is a flashback to the Boot Room. The Spaniard, I dare opine, combines Shankly’s shrewdness, with Fagan’s humility and Paisley’s physiotherapy skills and cunning.

I still think all, our fans and outsiders to the club alike, should be reminded that WE ARE THE REDS AND NO ONE ELSE EVER WILL!

YNWA!

PS: I too am glad your comp’s up Gerry. Those rogue progs, the kind SAF wouldn’t supposedly have sold to Real, are true royal pains.

I wish all fellow Reds a most fabulous day.

Gerry,

Given yer employment status, may be ye really should give the T-shirt printing idea a go.

Am pretty convinced the number of orders ye’ll get from this blog alone will keep yer fridge well stocked with stella.

RE: Owen joining the mancs
He’s gonna score against us isn’t he . . .?

RE: Masch & Alonso
Disagree with aussie_kopfan bout his assesment of masch. C’mon, ye got to understand that he wants parity in wages after the season he’s just had. If it is true he’s earning £30000-plus a week, am sure ye can understand his frustration at being one of the lowest paid first-XI.

As fer Xabi, he’s gone me thinks. But how bout Yossi as a replacement? Radical? Well, our own Torres said in an interview during ConFeds Cup that Yossi is similar to Xavi & Iniesta – “quick, intelligent, ball players”.

So me throws it open to all the esteemed experts at Kopblog here. Could Yossi play in our midfield?

I’m with Gerry on this one, I think the team would just bubble along regardless of who came or went. As long as we have SG and Torres, then are goal scoring prowess is still present. I like both Xabi and Mash, but for the first time in years we have two players who other teams genuinely want. At great prices too.
.
My honest opinion is Mash and Xabi are top draw but unfortunately they don’t score enough goals, Xabi had a blinder this year but will that mean next year is the exact same.
.
Aussie, I’m not sure about Mash whoring himself, afterall he just did an interview about Insua where he was glowing of his team-mate and team. Lots of paper bullshit going on. Mash would get sent off to much in Spain, Xabi’s the one who’s likely to go.
.
Ps is there something in Xabi’s contract about 20% going to his former club if he is sold before the middle of July 2009. Well anyway hope they both stay and all. Good to here you back Aussie, are you still in NZ or are you back here.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, What’s with this Stevie Me crap? I don’t like it and it’s what you expect from other fans especially bitter blues and mancs.

Xabi and Masch: What makes us think that if they went Rafa would get the money from the transfers to replace them? So while I would rather they stay and while I do think there are players out there who could do a similar job I wouldn’t be confident of the money being given to Rafa to buy them. At the same time I think they will both be with us for another season at least. If they did go I think it would put us back another season and that would be gutting especially as everything is set up for number 19 this season.

Ref Owen: I don’t really care if he goes to the mancs or not. He gave me many treasured moments and I will never slag him off but he was never truly one of ours. He was a great player for us. Keegan was a great player but I don’t have any affection for him like I do for King Kenny, Rush, Molby, Hansen, Phil Thompson, Cally.
Robbie Fowler or Owen
King Kenny – Keegan
All great players but only two have a special place in my heart.

It seems only 2 clubs were interested in Owen. Hull City and the mancs. Who would you choose?
He’s 29 so is not ready to hang up the boots. Apparently he’ll be on about £20k a week and then pay as you play bonuses. Don’t think his decision is about the money at all.

Firstly let me congratulate NigeriaKopite for winning the shirt. Great blog Gerry, agree that we should keep a cool head. The transfer mongering are not going to stop. The fact that no Liverpool player has come out and officially say that he wants to leave and yet the rags continue to spin the news and truth. I think Owen was illed advised as a young player and still is illed advised now. Whether or not he joins Manure or not, I don’t think he will ever be the old Michael Owen that we are all so used to. For all we know Manure will get relegated if he joins them keeping my fingers crossed.

@Gazmaninaus

I admire your optimism. You think that even after both leave we will be able to win the title. Amazing.

If i am not mistaken there were so many occassion when Xabi Alonso was the fulcrum of our attacks. He used to start it. So many occasions when the opposition had to face the wall called Mascherano. Those two are irreplaceble for us at this point of time. You get two similar players with the money recieved, i wont complain. But thats not gonna happen.

Keeping them does not guarantee us the title but it surely makes us much more stronger specially with the fact that Manchester united are being run ragged by Real Madrid in the transfer market.

Gerry I’m indeed having trouble holding the chins up. I can’t stop them from wobbling… Ronaldo and Tevez for Valencia and Owen.

How funny is that for a swap? Fuck me, I haven’t stopped laughing so much since Maggie Thatcher broke her arm.

I tell you what, if we do lose Masch and Xabi, Raffa will do a much better job of replacing them.

Like I’ve said before…
Do I want them both to stay – of course.
Do I think it will do our title chances any good if they leave – of course not.
Can we win the title without them – of course we can.

I’ve got my reasons for thinking that. I’ll put them in another comment, but I want to say this now…

Xabi… I don’t think him and Rafa get along too well. The real problems started (Or should I say we began to see them) when Xabi refused to travel to Arsenal so he could watch his first child being born.

Of course, they should both get over these personal problems and put them behind them. But they are both human and from all I know they just don’t get along as people. Sad, but it happens.

Masch… I keep seeing his wages qouted and people wanting them raising. But do they realise Masch’s wages are so low because he kopped for half of his signing on fee when he joined us… 9 million quid.

Yep. It was part of the deal that brought him to us and it was agreed as part of his contract then. So, why should the club just throw a blank cheque at him now?

Fuck these South American cartels who own these footballers nowadays. It’s nothing but gansterism. But Rafa won’t allow anyone to hold him or the club to ransom, and I’m sure he’ll get over losing Masch if that turns out to be the case.

But what I’m really saying by all that is… None of us truly know what’s going on behind closed doors, but I think even his biggest doubters should now realise that Rafa will always do what’s best for the club. And it’s time to really starting trusting in him.

@FS

Nobody is doubting Rafa. Nobody is doubting the fact that both the players are at fault for all these news coming up. Masch want a wage increase and Xabi wants the clubs to sort things out but the real face is as you said he needs to sort out his differences wid the manager.

But why dont you come up and tell how we are going to win it without them? You mentioned later..and i will wait for it. But for the time being lets try to get a brief idea FS. Who should play in those two places if they go?

I don’t think Owen is going to the mancs if he does go for the money at all. I also don’t think he’s been badly advised he’s made all his own decisions although they’ve been mistakes since he left LFC. He must be kicking himself when he thinks about it so Hull or manure it’s a no brainer for someone who’s always looked after himself.

No one doubting Rafa? YUou obviously haven’t been around too long.

I’m busy now, but like I said, I’ll write down my opinion when I get time. Maybe others would be aswell to do that an all, instead of getting hysterical and throwing in the towel before a ball is kicked over something that hasn’t even happened.

Werent Everton offering him 50k a wk LB? How he can even consider playing for our eternal enemy is, to my mind at least, staggering. I know its a business rotten to its core and populated by scumbags but for fucks sake Michael some things you just dont do and I pray you dont. How could he even consider walking out at Anfield in a manc uniform?? Or anywhere for that matter?? If he completes the ultimate football betrayal he surely erazes himself from the hearts of scousers everywhere. Forever.

@Fs

I have been here all the time reading what you guys have to say. Many a times this forum becomes a personal chat session amongst the select few. So i dont post too often.

As i said i will wait for your views on how we can win without Alonso and Mascherano. Please come up with it even if those two remains here(I beleive both of them will).

Degen got 2 mill as a signing on fee.Terrible business from Rafa.Still no sign of the club buying a striker.The 1st pre-season friendly is in 12 days.Still need a right sided midfielder as well.Keep Arbeloa and sell Dossena.The Kop mag did a hatchet job on Degen and Dossena in the July issue-available online or in print.

Burgerman,
Have a wee bit of patients. The transfer window is only 3 days old. There’s plenty of time for new signings.

Somnath, one of the first things you ever did say was… calling me a kneejerk. That is why I said how long have you been about? As it was probably the only thing you couldn’t accuse me of. Which is neither here nor there now, but the fact is… it took a few long boring days to clear it up with you.

And why did you pull me up on that occasion… I had had the nerve to state the fact that LFC needed at least one real season of challenging before they actually won the league.

Despite all records/stats/history pointing to that statement being true, you decided to pull me to task for my opinion and, as I said, it took days to clear it up.

I really can’t be arsed going through all that again. I will as I said, state all my reasons why I am still of the opinion LFC can win the league this coming season, bereft of Xabi and Masch if needs be.

But the fact is, talking tactics, team formations, personel, replacements and stand ins, takes time and thought.

So instead of demanding that I should explain myself to you yet again, why not come up with some thoughts and opinions of you’re own. In fact, why not tell me why we can’t win the league without Masch or Xabi?

Make a change that eh.

Well somnath07in I will put my 10 cents in while you wait for FS. It all depends on if Rafa gets the money from the sale. if he doesn’t then we have Lucas, Plessis and Jay Spearing to make the shortfall. Stevie G could drop into a more centre midfield position allowing either Benny Onion or Babel to play the 2nd striker role. If we do get the money from the sale then Rafa would probably look to buy.

Makes me laugh how people come in here just to drop little negative hand-grenades on the club, team, Rafa, and the opinions of others and then off they run.

Here’s a radical thought… Why not try to add something to the debate instead of just pissing on others thoughts?

Might even find the place becomes all the better for it.

KDLL… I’m not going to sit here and be told to speak like some sort of fucking parrot – especially by people who haven’t even stated their own opinions.

Fucking laugh at times this gaff, eh.

Michael Owen joining the Mancs? Fuck me sideways, I never thought I’d read that headline!

They still have 63 million in the bank after Ladyboy’s defection and they go and sign a Reds legend on a free transfer. The big thing about M.O is if he stays fit he could still be very useful. Him staying fit though is a very big if.

FS: I think it’s the way somath07in phrases things it sounds a bit blunt but I don’t think it is mean’t that way.

Should of got Owen , as I have suggested several times b4.When is Rafa going to get rid of the under performers?.

Burgerman you’re a scream mate! I dont know whether its intentional or not but you are one funny mofo! Keep up the good work, you never fail to get me chuckling! As for demanding explanations and such, without wading into this one, I think Kenny hit it on the head; unless Rafa gets every cent from their (possible) sales and so can replace like for like, the title is gone for another few yrs whilst we rebuild or midfield yet again. The time is NOW. Its pretty self explanatory really no?

Kenny lad, it’s not that that annoys me. I just can’t understand why some people constantly want to pull up others for their opinions but offer very little in the way of debate themselves.

If you have an opinion, why not state it and then give the reasons why you think it’s correct?

To just pull people up for their statemnents/opinions and demand they state their reasons for it, or, even worse, just wait for someone’s opinion and then ambush it, drop little barbs all over it and run, and then….

Well, put it this way – I’m sort of choka with it.It becomes a drag. Want to talk footy and disagree, have an argument/debate – great. That’s why the blogs here. Wanna just be contrary – fuck it. I can’t be arsed with it. I have better things to do with me time, than justify my opinions to people who don’t even state their own.

Makes me look like a narky aul bastard, but I’m constantly going through this… stating something, defending/explaining it over and over to people that even put up a thought of their own.

Call me a narky aul bastard. Think I’m a bit of a twat for saying this, I don’t care. If I want to go through a explanation and why? Why? Why? grilling – I can do it with me grandaughter.

Tell you what for a change…. someone explain to me why we can’t win the league if Masch and Xabi go?

I’ve seen loads of the usual we are fucked. I haven’t seen any reasons why.

Sort of funny all this we’re doomed hysteria over something that hasn’t even happened and before a ball is even kicked.

Fat Scouser, calling you a ‘Knee Jerk’ was not the first thing i did. It was also not the last thing either. Post that episode i clearly told that i got your point and i am sorry to use the term.

But you choose to mention the negative thing again.You have to decide why u mentioned it.In fact the way you put this is like after calling you a ‘Knee Jerk’ i never came up. I was man enough to admit i was wrong. You should have mentioned that too FS.

You are talking about stats,history. I admit i am not as educated as you in LFC matters and thats why i keep coming here to read some really interesting posts. Regarding me giving a reason on why we cant win it without them, here it is:

1. The system in which we play makes two central midfielders pivotal to our operations. Xabi’s pin point passes and his ability to control the pace of the game is great. Who will do that next season? Gerrard? Ok he can do it but then we are altering the parternship Torres enjoys. Who should fill in for Gerrard? I dont want to speculate on who should come in. Lets take Benny onion.. he can surely play in Gerrard’s position. But thats making our squad weaker coz we wont have a player of his quality coming from the bench.Are we banking on Babel?

2. Mascherano.. Lucas as replacement? I think thats a risk coz many a time i have seen him loosing the ball.

As i said i dont want to speculate on who should we bring in as i dont have enough news on that front. Probably you can throw light on tht aspect.

Watching the Mancs win 11 titles has me driven demented, I can’t take it anymore.If they had won the CL, I would of re-emigrated to the USA.

@Kenny

Just look at the series of comments he makes. Regarding phrases, it is also important how the person reads it. For no reason FS came up with something which was buried long back.This is really ridiculous.

FS, first you should understand that your EGO is not being hurt when someone objects to your views. You come in straight and throw a nucelar bomb saying we can still win it without Xabi and Masch. You expect me to say YES to you everytime?Stop thinking that your views are the correct ones everytime. I am not here to pull your leg.

In an earlier argument you said LFC needed at least one real season of challenging before they actually won the league. Dont you think you are contradicting your own opinion? We will again CHALLENGE next season if we dont keep Alonso and Masch.

The reason people are concerned about losing Mach and Alonso are for the following reasons:

a) Currently we have no one in the squad that can do their jobs to the same standard. People rattle on about Lucas replacing Masher – sorry no – he just isn’t good enough. And as for Benayoun stepping in for Xabi – I just dont think he can control a game in the same way that Alonso does

b) Bringing in similar quality players in the short amount of time before season starts is going to be very difficult. Let’s be honest good teams don’t like seeing their better players leave. Off the top of my head only Pirlo would be an adequate and potentially available replacement.

But let us all say a few rosarys that they two lads will stay!!

No relief over here Burgerman! New york has its fair share of mancs let me tell ya and the champions league is broadcast live over here just as it is at home. The only way to end this is to do it ourselves. Real power cant be given, it must be taken. FS, in all seriousness and with all due respect, are you asking that question genuinely? Why cant we win the league if both Masch and Xabi go? Isnt that a rhetorical question?!

And FS hasent the jist of your genuinely inspiring almost fire and brimstone-like posts in recent weeks been ‘no major changes, retain the squad we have, couple of key additions and we can win this league’. Obviously not a verbatum quote but thats been the theme of your (if not everyones) posts recently. Does selling these 2 not constitute major change thus seriously if not fatally damage our title chances in your opinion big guy? Are you revising your opinion?

@Diggerno.10

All these optimism is because our rivals are not doing too much in the transfer market. And if ManU is not able to compensate for the loss of Tevez & Ronaldo we will be in a much stronger position even if we dont add to what we have now. But for heavens sake, how can anybody say that loosing not one but two key players will not result in us not winning the title.Its beyond me.

With Alonso, it would be around july last week something might happen if he is to go. Barca-Masch looks pretty immature at this stage. Only talks,no concrete offer.

Even if Alonso leaves(I again say that none of them will leave, thats my view. I think Rafa will convince them to stay)whom do we bring in his place? Thats where i want to hear from FS. How does he see us as Champions of England sans Alonso(and Mascherano).

Somnath, get your bloody head together mate. I won’t even answer that last load of drivel (#35), but for the benefit of peace in the blog I will state my reasons why we can win the title with or without Masch and Xabi…

Okay. The hysterical amongst us like to say both Masch and Xabi are essential to us.

Why?

I see our formation and tactics getting qouted as a reason why we need both these players.

But what formation and tactics are they?

Who are we going to be next season…
The LFC that kicked the season off or the LFC that finished the season?

I think we will be the LFC that finished the season.
Why?

Because I think that is the LFC we were supposed to be all last season.
Why?
Well, why was Rafa trying to sell Xabi and bring in Barry?
Why did he try to bring in 2 attacking fullbacks along with Barry?

The reason is simple… We no longer need 2 holding midfielders.

Of course, I know Xabi isn’t purely a holding midfielder but that’s the role he plays for us.

Well, the LFC that finished the season really has no need of a player that sits back and hits his team mates with 30/40 yard balls.

Xabi is a fantastic footballer. I have given my opinion on him in here on many occasions. I love the way the lad plays. I love watching the way he makes space for himself, becomes open to recieve the ball at all times, and then keeps the play going with his short or long passing.

I really have no need to say all that, except I’m intercepting the come backs I will get. I know all what Xabi brings to the table, but that sort of skill/tactic/footballer is not essential to the way we finished the season – to the way Rafa has spent 5 years building this team/squad.

We all know Masch’s positives and what he brings to the team. But again, this is no longer essential to how LFC play.

Though I love Masch and how he plays the game, I have never been a fan of the purely “Holding midfielder.” I come from a time when players like Ian Callaghan and Graeme Souness done that job for us. They also got forward, supported the attack and created and scored many goals – something Masch will never do.

Now where do we go if they leave…
Well, like I said, from this time last season Rafa was trying to introduce personel that would change our way of playing/formation.

Yes. I know this change of formation/tactics will be argued against. But before you say that’s shite… please take a look at Valencia and Rafa’s all time favourite football team, and template for what he wants from LFC, AC Milan of the early/mid 80′s.

See Rafa has been here 5 years now. The hype and expectation in football has changed but the time it takes to build a title winning team hasn’t. And like everyone who has built a title winning team from dodgy foundations before him, Rafa had to take these steps with LFC.

First you get the team (No matter the personal) playing in a way that makes them extremely difficult to beat.

Rafa done that with the players he inherited and then tried to move on to the next stage… making the team an attacking force that is very difficult to stop.

We never had the money to just go out an buy top quality, so it made this step a lot more difficult but Rafa achieved it by employing 2 holding midfielders while slowly upgrading the strikers.

But slowly upgrading from Baros, Cisse, Crouch, Bellamy and Fowler obviously made this step much longer to complete. And also made it essential that we kept the back solid. Of course, keeping a solid back line will always be essential but with attackers of the quality of Gerrard and Torres on the pitch we don’t need to play 2 holding midfielders to keep a solid back line.

In fact, the need to break down teams like Stoke for instance makes the need of 2 holding midfielders redundant and actually calls for your defenders to get forward and join the midfield attack.

Well, Johnson and Insua will add that dimension that Rafa tried to solve last season. Add 2 attacking full backs to 2 wide players that can defend (Kuyt, Riera, Dosenna) and the need for 2 holding midfielders becomes even less.

Addmitedly that still leaves a hole in the heart of our midfield. But 1: That hole isn’t quite as big as it would have been. 2: We can probably fill it from existing personel and we haven’t even seen who Rafa would bring in if the players should leave….
Which as I said hasn’t even happened yet. So there’s no need to go all hysterical schoolgirl just yet.

And I’ve only just got started there. I would love to add more, and probably will later, but I have other things that are more important than worrying about something that hasn’t even happened.

Sorry I missed the last couple of comments because I was busy and never refreshed the page before writing my response….
But FFS, myu optimism has fuck all to do with what any of our oposition is doing.

Grow a pair and get a grip FFS.

Reina

Skrtel Agger
Johnson Insua

Bennayoun Lucas
Kuyt Riera
Gerrard
Torres

Just off the top of my head, enough to beat any premiereship team. The formation is fluid enough to adapt to all opposition – whether they attack us or put 10 men behind the ball.

I tried to post that in a formation that I would use, but it automatically changed the settings when I posted it. But I’m sure you can work it out.

What team would you put on the pitch next season, even if Masch and Xabi were just injured and not gone?

Do you think we will be unable to cope next season if the 2 are still with us or injured.

Maybe you should just make a decent argument to back up your views before you descend into just throwing peronal insults.

Burgerman you’re the type that if someone gave you £50,000 you would moan and say why is it all in £50 notes and not £20 notes.

Owen is finished simple as.

Xabi and Monster are still here!

FS: I actually think Xabi can play a more attacking role. I’ve seen him do it for Spain. He doesn’t sit just in front of the back four for Spain. So of either monster or xabi it’s monster who is least able to adapt to the type of team and tatics Rafa wants to employ. Xabi also seems a lot stronger than in other seasons, it looks to me like he was in the gym a lot last season, he crunched fabregas in the arse game.

KDDL mate, I said all this a couple of times already… I know what Xabi brings to the team. I know he’s not purely a defensive midfielder. I also said, I want him to stay and it would be more difficult to win the league without him or Masch.

What I haven’t seen is any explanation of why we can’t win the league without these 2 players.

I won’t give you an explanation because I do think we can still win the league if both of them go. It will be harder but I agree with you. As regards Xabi I know you know what he brings to the table didn’t want to seem to patronize you was just putting my thoughts onto zyber paper. I’ll tell what though lah Xabi is tougher than he is given credit for, people only talk about his passing but last season I saw him crunch a few tackles, that surprised me.

KDDL, I wasn’t having a pop. I know you don’t need to explain anything to me, and I know you haven’t thrown the towel in over something that hasn’t even happened.

Will, it happen?
I hope not, but I’m starting to think it might but not just yet.

Here’s me reasons… If Xabi goes now, about 20 per cent of his fee would be owed to Real Sociedad. It was clause into his deal when he signed for us, but it runs out at the end of the month. So, if he does leave, I think Rafa will hang on to him until we at least recieve all the fee from selling him.

Mascher, well, 1: it’s true, his wife can’t settle in England. 2: He wants more money.

And of course, there’s more to it, but they are the 2 main reasons Masch would go. But if he does, I’m sure Rafa won’t let him go for anything less than 30 million. The same with Xabi.

That’s 60 million quid for Rafa to play with, for the loss of 2 players that aren’t as essential to us as some are making out.

Would Rafa see the full 6o million? More fucking chance of me winning slimmer of the year.

But he would get a good chunk of it, and, besides that, we could cope without them anyway.

No doubt that last part will be jumped all over. In fact, queue hysteria….. now!

Anyway, on a more positive note…
My mate Harry, who’s travelling round the coast of Britain on an aul beat up moped, is due back in Liverpool on Sunday. He’ll be crossing the Runcorn bridge and riding into the city at about 1.30pm on Sunday afternoon. Apparently loads of bikers are going to meet up with him on the bridge and escort Harry back to the party thats taking place to raise funds for the poorly lad, Dylan.

Sort of puts things in perspective.

The only reason Ferguscum is making this last minute offer (which his arse-licking press lackeys are already hailing as a “shrewd move”) is to rile Liverpool up and nothing more. Though he has done so five years too late, for Owen is a spent force.

Unlike Rafa, who as Gerry correctly sees it, is building a team rather than a collection of talented individuals, Ferguscum is doing exactly the opposite, spending millions on so-called “talents” like Owen, and compromising his squad formation again and again, hoping their “talents” will paper over these cracks.

Owen made his choice back in 2004, and he will have no one else to blame if he decides to truly continue down the path towards the “Dark Side” and become our enemy, albeit a no-longer potent one at that.

Kinny mate, The Tramp just tried to sign Dalglish to play up front with Owen, but Dalglish swerved him and went back to LFC.

I know which one I’d rather have an all.

Fat Scouser, good stuff. I agree with most of what you say. That team you mentioned would beat most teams. But some games are completely won & lost in midfield. Could the midfield of that team you listed outplay chelsea’s in a physical contest? I don’t think so. But like you’ve said it hasn’t happened yet and probably won’t.
And even if it does I’m sure he’ll bring in a top class replacement.

I think it’s criminal that the mancs won the title this year – they had the weakest midfield in the top 4. That’s one of the reasons Barca beat them so easily. Why did Liverpool do so well against the other top teams last year? Because we had THE best midfield bar none. So while I think it would be still possible to win without Alonso and mash, I don’t think we could do it with the team you listed

Also, I’m dossing in work, I get to read most comments but don’t get to post as often as I’d like. That doesn’t mean I’m just posting to have a dig at someone. I’m just throwing in my 5 cents worth

YNWA

Just popping my head in again, having my own “off-season” ready to come in fresh once the real things kicks off…

Aussie, good to see you back in here. Stay healthy mate, I reckon you’ve had the flu more times this year than a Mexican pig farm!!

I think some of the debate at the moment is going along slightly the wrong angle, in terms of “Can” we win the title next year if we lost Xabi and/or Masch? I don’t think that should be the question, because clearly we “can” possibly still win the league if they go. But in the same way that Man City “can” come out and win the league next year – they just probably won’t.

So to me that question really should be, BY HOW MUCH will our odds/chances of winning the league be harmed by losing those 2?

My answer is, losing Xabi would harm our chances a great deal. Losing Masch would hurt too, but I think he is less instrumental in our league victories – actually I found him to be more influential in the big Champions League games, so I think losing him would actually have more of an impact there. Masch is also more easily replaced.

Alonso to me is a gem who would be much, much harder to replace. I won’t go on about the strengths we all know he has, but I always call him our “quarterback”. I’m not sure if such stats are possible to find, but I would be pretty sure Alonso must surely touch the ball more times (ie more passes attempted/completed) than any other player in our team, bar Carra knocking it around at the back. Putting a new/different player into that position is automatically a risk, as suddenly someone new is making those dozens and dozens of passes every game. If he was a right-back, I’d be less worried, they don’t touch the ball much.

“Can” we win the league without Alonso? Yes, we “can”, but for 2009-10 I would deep down feel that losing him would reduce our chances by something like 20-30%.

Do I trust Rafa to have a backup plan and find adequate replacements somehow? Yes, I do, but Rafa can’t force such a replacement to settle in perfectly to such an influential position in our team, so our chances in 09-10 would still be at risk, but perhaps we’d be looking better for 10-11.

Having said all that, allow me to almost completely contradict myself and play some fantasy football. Hey, I’m allowed to, it’s the off-season.

Say we get combined fee 60 million quid for Alonso and Masch. We send that 60 million, plus maybe Babel if they want him, over to Valencia in return for Villa and Silva. We partner Villa with Torres, Silva takes the left wing and at other times floats in behind and plays the hole. Gerrard drops back to central midfield next to Lucas. Yes I know that supposedly breaks up the Gerrard-Torres partnership but they don’t have to play next to each other to click. Gerrard used to find Owen with pinpoint passes from central midfield.

I’m not saying I like that whole setup, as it shakes things up a lot when we don’t need a shake-up. Just playing a bit of “what if” since there’s no real football to talk about right now.

PS The Owen news – like others, I stopped having any time for him when he left LFC. Players are often asked “which is the first team who’s results you look for after your own?”… I could be wrong but I get the feeling MO would only check the LFC results as an after-thought. He trotted away and never looked back.

Ah of course FS, the good news of the day to lighten up the mood is of course: THE KING HAS RETURNED! (And I’m not referring to the late Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson!)

ttp://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164946090703-1605.htm

Now this is a person who is Liverpool all over his veins (OK maybe a bit of Celtic, but his prime is with us), unlike some glory hunting traitor.

Pete, I’ve got bugger all to do so I’m just passing some time on the net. And I agree with most of what you said… but could they beat Chelsea without Masch and Xabi?

Yes. Of course they could.

It wouldn’t make it any easier, but like I said before… if they were both still here but were out injured, would we cope?

Well, we’d have to. But yes, we could anyway.
And lets say they both do leave (Which I am now starting to think they could) would Rafa not fill the gap they leave?

Of course he would.

Sorry lads if you don’t like that, but I’m just not the sort to get hysterical or throw in the towel (Especially over something that hasn’t happened. And I will argue my corner – especially when I’m goaded into it.

But if we are going to discuss this, I’d much prefer to talk about how we will deal with it rather than just throw a wobbler.

I’d love for Van dar vaart to come to anfield. awesome player, awesome skills, not being effectively used in the real madrid set up.

Yes I agree we could beat them if Rafa bought replacements, as I’m sure he would.
I wouldn’t be so sure we could beat them with
Bennayoun & Lucas in midfield. Anyway hopefully it won’t happen and if it does I trust Rafa to deal with it.

Now, it’s almost beer time

At last Andy, a proper discussion instead of hysteria. The one thing I will say about your post mate is this… like I said in an earlier post, the way we ended the season made the need for both Xabi and Masch redundant.

And I think that will be even more the case next season.

We tried to sign Barry so we could play that type of football all season. We also tried to bring in 2 attacking full backs, which would mean we needed 2 holding players even less.

I’ve seen Rafa slagged in this very thread for that. But with the limited money he had last season, he solved quite a few problems last season (Left sided midfielder that can defend and 2 attacking fullbacks).

If Parry and Toot and Ploot hadn’t undermined him by spending most of the budget on Keane, we may have got more quality than Dosenna and Degan. But he spent approximately 9 million on the pair.

Had Degan not been made of blancmange and Dosenna adapted immeadiately, we would have been played the whole season like we did at the end of the season.

The formation Rafa would use is not a new thing – Ramsey’s wingless wonders is most probably the best known example of a team playing without wingers and compensating for that by having full backs that can attack and wide men that can defend. And that example is over 45 years old.

So, of course we will miss players of that calibre. But we can compensate and like I said earlier I’m now thinking we’ll have to (Post #46).

But I don’t think bringing in Silva or Villa would be the answer.

Besides, Riera is keeping Silva out the Spanish side and Villa probably wouldn’t want to come.

I tell you what’s going to solve a lot of our problems… Pacheco. But sadly, it’s still probably a bit early for him just yet.

The transfer period has still not ended. And the good news?

It’s going to last for the nxt two months. And I totally trust Rafa on this atleast. Even if Xabi and Masch leave the club this summer, there is enough time for Rafa to replace them (Obviously it will take some time).

And it’s not possible that good holding midfielders are not available in the market. I hope they do not leave like every fan is hoping at the moment. But you can’t stop those players who are hell-bent on leaving.

But the club will not end with their departures. We will hav enough money from their selligs to get replacements.

I am quite positive. Their is no need for any arguments. If it has to happen, it will.

Great news about Kenny Dalglish re-joining LFC, working with the Academy and also as a club ambassador. Nobody could wish for a better ambassador than Kenny. Brilliant news.

It’s confirmed, absolutely sickening.

ttp://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658825&sec=transfers&cc=4716

“I had just begun to talk to other Clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment’s thought.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.

“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.

“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances”

Note the “I agreed without a moment’s thought”, Without a fucking moment’s thought!? SHAME ON YOU ON BEING AN EX-LIVERPOOL PLAYER!

In contrast, look at Torres, he instantly dismissed rumours of ever going to Scum because he understands Liverpool’s history.

Oh behave. Micheal Owen owes us nothing. He was a great player for us for 7 seasons. He won us a few trophies in that time and without him we wouldn’t have won the FA Cup against Arsenal.

He was never really taken to heart by The Kop. It was always a known fact that Micheal’s main loyalties lay with Micheal Owen and England.

I’m not saying what he has done is right, but why anyone would get all pissed off about it is beyond me… He’s not even a Liverpool player. He’s not going to add much to their team. In fact, he could cause quite a bit of harm – you have to set up the team around him. And although it’s bound to change before the transfer window shuts, but as it stands… United have lost 43% of their goals from the last 2 seasons (That’s what Ronaldo and Tevez got betwen them) and they have replaced that with an over rated over priced winger that doesn’t score goals and a crock.

I think it’s something we should be revelling in. Personally, I think it’s hilarious and I’m really looking forward to playing them with wee Mickey in their side. In fact, I’ve done nothing but look forward to it and laugh about it all day.

Michael Owen signing for the Mancs is obviously very difficult to swallow for all LFC fans. For him though, I bet he can’t believe his luck.

Put your self in his shoes for a moment. He was frozen out of Capello’s plans for England 10 goals short of becoming their all time top goalscorer and then relegated with Newcastle.

He must of thought that he would get back in the Prem when Hull and Stoke showed interest in signing him. Now he will get Champions Leauge football and the platform to show he should still be considered for England.

Injuries will be a big worry for him, but can any of us honestly say that we would have turned this opportunity down?

Of course I know that FS, I was merely voicing the sentiments of most of us when seeing him say he didn’t even have any doubt or a “moment’s thought” of what this all meant.

All the better, this means any lingering respect I have for him can finally be swept into the dustbin.

Steve the red #61, I was about to say the same myself.

BTW, I am looking forward to Carra marking him in our games against the manure. Coming to think of it, Owen may have more chance of starting in manure’s 1st XI than Carra in our XI.

Yeah sorry Kinny. I read me post and it does seem a bit harsh. What do you expect, I’m scouse. But all I was saying is, I can’t understand why anyone would be upset by it.

I do honestly find it hilarious. And I can honestly say I wouldn’t have touched him with a shitty stick nevermind brought him back.

But you’re right Steve… it’s a great move for him.

His loyalties never really were with Liverpool, so what chance the mancs? Do you know he could have joined them as a kid, but his dad knocked them back and put him on our books.

So, as I said, his loyalties only ever laid with Micheal Owen and, any footballing loyalties he ever had was only ever with England.

Of course the media and manc fans are putting a positive spin on it now it’s gone through, but they were all gutted when it was first announced.

All the talk will shift from the Fuck that, we don’t want a Scouse crock, to master stroke by the tramp in a no lose scenario.

But I think the Tramp has been at the Toilet Duck again. You think the doom and gloom in here over Masher and Xabi is bad, I wonder what it’s like in the manc forums?

They have the shittiest midfield to ever win a league. It’s a mixture of old men, crocks, not good enough players, and 2 adequate ones. How is signing an injury prone in the box striker going to solve any of that?

And make no bones, that’s all Owen is today – a goal poacher. He does absolutely nothing outside the box, and because of that he drains the team in other departments. Can they really afford to try and play to his dwindling strengths?

Can they fuck.

So, as I said, I think it’s a great result for us. We have an ex-player of ours undermining them. We have a constantly weakening enemy, being even more weakend by the addition of one of our cast offs. On top of that, it gives us some great opportunities to take the piss out of them.

Can’t wait to hear the piss taking chants and see the banners on the kop when we play them next season.

Like everyone else praying Masc. and Xabi stay BUT if either go, the timing is going to put added pressure on the club to find adequate cover. Sales at the end of July and the new season beginning in August will leave the club very vunrable (how is this spelt?); this could be dangerous.

I never thought Owen would sign for the Scum and “without a moments
thought” f*cking c*nt. As for his England career that ship as already sailed.
But as FS says he will be detrimental to the mancs and will be hated nearly
as much as Shrek.
In answer to your question Steve yes i would have turned them down i would
rather play for Accrington Stanley than that shower of shite.
YNWA

Although I stick by what I (steve) said above and I do agree with FS that this is not a good move by Ferguscum. Having just seen this I felt a bit sick:

http://www.anfieldred.co.uk/photo-evidence-michael-owen-infact-judas/2924

Does not seem right on so many levels.

Can’t wait to pummel the fuckers now. Will be all the more sweeter.

Hi ..
I am a huge liverpool fan coming from Pakistan.. i Have recently joined this blog and absolutely love it..

I must say that i am quite disappointed at the way the media (newspapers and tv) works here wen it comes to football.. I dunno how you ppl feel but as a newcomer to this country, i HAVE felt that there’s something against the liverpool club regarding all the stories doing rounds in the papers and stupid articles by some “EXPERTS” .. Just wait till tomorrow and i can bet that all the papers and the so-called pundits will be hailing the capture of owen as a master-stroke by that old man .. I already didnt like owen for leaving for Madrid and now watever soft-corner i had for him has gone FOREVER!

Owen signs for Manu. Great news. This was actually the last piece of the jigsaw that was needed (ok that’s me taking the piss)

Here’s some stats to prove my point.

1. Owen left us…we won the CL and back as king of Europe.

2. He joined Madrid and they sunk down their league.

4. He was cast aside and england started to win again

5. He joined the Toons, they got f*cking relegated.

and now he joins ManU.

thanks Micky for all the great years of service to us and time now to cast your unlucky charm on the scums.

YNWA

oops i missed no3

i know it really should not bother me, but seeing michael owen with a big grin on his face in a manc shirt holding a manc scarf just makes me sick. yes he’s past it, yes it’s not as if it makes me worried of our chances of toppling them, and yes he’s just a money grubber – but it just makes me sick seeing that image. i was sad when he left the way he did, but i always respected him and thought he had a hard time at real in terms of luck and injuries.

its a massive risk on the mancs part to take him, but if he can stay healthy and with a team that has quality in terms of getting him the ball in the box, he can still score goals at quite a ratio to games played. not that i’m worried about that really.

i mostly just came in to express my weird feelings of sickness. i guess i just never thought i would see that sight. and i’m not sure why it bothers me as much as it does – but it just makes me sick to see that picture, not to mention the things he’s said about trying to help them win more trophies and having not had a seconds thought about the deal.

oh well, what a world.

the next time mickey is on the hallowed pitch at anfield an avenging angle (carra or skertle) will sort him out

we need not have fear a red devil horde for st steven is at anfield

i guess i’m not very good at being biblical

What should people expect from Owen? He became a free agent and was scraping the bottom of the barrel looking at teams like Hull! If Rafa wanted him you think he would have thought twice? I doubt it. But Liverpool didn’t need him and Man U came calling. His last chance for greatness…given it’s with Man U but hell, he’d rather play for Man U in the CL than with Hull in another season of relegation battles. We all know he was never truly a Liverpool man like Stevie, Carra, Fowler etc so why should he suffer with a bottom team rather than take his chance and play with a top four team? I can’t blame the guy. He might very well go ahead and have a great season as he will have more opportunities in front of goal unlike Newcastle. He’ll probably be injured most of the season anyway, but I’m pretty damn happy Man U got Owen rather than somebody like Villa or Ribery or Benzema. That’s a good way of looking at it I think.

FS, you’ve really got me thinking with your point about us no longer needing 2 holding midfielders with the way we finished last season. On one hand you’ve reminded me that I often found myself thinking the same thing in some games last season – particularly against the “lesser likes” in the 2nd half of the season – Masch had hardly any work to do because we were just dominating possession and battering teams.

However, on the other hand – that great form we showed last season was done with 2 holding midfielders. I’m not saying we were winning “because of” our 2 holding midfielders – obviously it was a combination of many things – but if we take that same style and formation into the start of next season, I would hope/expect to see similar results. And when we do play the better teams – I’d rather have Xabi and Masch back there, as Masch in top form is a real destroyer.

But, I do still agree to some degree, that against the lesser likes who caused us so many problems last season, there is definitely an argument for Masch to be on the bench and a more attacking player on the pitch. However, I would always still want Alonso in there controlling the game from midfield, spreading the ball around to find the openings. I just don’t trust someone like Lucas to have that same distribution, nor do I see too many players in world football who can do it like Xabi can.

Strangely enough I get the impression that Rafa sees it the other way though – ie that we’re more likely to lose Alonso but hold onto Masch. Obviously all we can do is wait and see. I’m probably biased about Alonso though because I think he is the absolute dog’s bollocks.

Good post #68 Kopper – excellent points!

Can we win the title without both Xabi & Mach? The answer is a straight NO! Without a doubt Rafa will certainly be able to find replacements. But I think they will not be able to adapt right away. I think that only Torres (I may be dead wrong) out of Rafa’s signings that actually made an istant impact. We’ve already have a proven and working system. 14 points out of 18 with the top 4 said it all. what we need is strenghtening and convert those draws with the lesser teams into wins! the mancs are weakening, chavs are getting older and the gooners…not even worth mentioning…so we need to hit them now where it hurts the most! Definitely not losing the key players now! We just cannot hope that whoever that comes in as replacement to perform magic instantly……can anyone really think that kuyt, lucas, benny, riera in the middle of the park will have enough firepower to sustain for the entire season if both xabi & masch go? I certainly can HOPE

Your thoughts on our ow*n Judas, Gerry?
I pity him. He ran away to Real when we needed him. Now, he’s off to Man U. I would not even had thought twice if he decided to join even Everton but Man U? Fuckin Man U? He’s done enough bad to us to not give him a worthy mention. But he’s done good for us too. His best 7 years were with us. So i am just dejected at his choice.

I can understand the fact that Owen wants to resurrect his England career, but at manure!!! He is willing to take a pay cut to join manure, but not a pay cut to rejoin us when Madrid wanted to sell him. It says a lot of him. I am grateful for his years of service to LFC, but to join manure!!!??? I just can’t accept that. There were a lot of PL clubs who were reportedly interested in him, but what does he do, join fucking manure. If Fowler, Dalgish or even Heskey were in his position they would never join manure. Diouf would probably jump at the chance, so from today onwards, Owen and Diouf, in my opinion are like and like. The serial spitter and the greedy pig. I am of to burn my Owen posters.

i will have no problem w/ owen singing for manure if we do a little tit for tat and sign tevez.

Me too NigeriaKopite. I too would want Tevez at Liverpool, tit for tat, only if he decides to come on for free and accepts 20k salary like Ow*n did. Ok, since he’s a little younger than Ow*n, make that 40k. Thats it!

Tevez? Behave lads. Despite the fact that he’s already sold and said, “He wouldn’t play for Liverpool out of respect for Man U fans,” (and the fact that we never fucking asked him to) why on earth would you want him?

We’ve already got the better version – Kuyt.

Come to think of it Man City have more or less got him – Bellamy.

Over rated, over paid and over here. Yep, that old saying works in this case. Over here? We’ll why would anybody think he was so special except for the fact he’s Argentine?

But besides all that he’s just not the sort of player we need.

And the righteous indignation concerning Owen is a bit much isn’t it? He’s not even a Liverpool player. I stated my thoughts about his move in an earlier post and I stand by it… In fact, I really couldn’t give a toss.

Except for a certain few players, who grow up supporting a club all their life and then get the chance to play for them, football is just a job to footballers. They don’t invest a life times emotion into a club like us daft bastards. So why people get all righteous over any of them moving onto the enemy is beyond me.

But back to the blog and the point… ykleong, maybe as you’re in the camp of “We can’t win the title without Masch and Xabi” maybe you could tell me why not?

None of the others have been able to.

FFS get a grip lads. I’m dreading the reaction our first draw will bring in here next season. I’m glad I wasn’t in the trenches with any of you.

Yes. It will be awful if we lose both players.
Yes. It will make the lads job much much harder.
Yes. It will cause us all sorts of problems.
But will it make it impossible for us to win the league… Will it fuck!

In fact, here’s a suggestion… maybe your indignation and feelings of betrayal would be better directed at Mascher and Xabi.

Rafa was willing to give Fowler @ 32 a return to Anfield, why not do the same for a younger Owen?.If Babel and Ngog leave, the club will need to bring in 2 strikers.Wenger won 2 titles during his first 5 seasons, Rafa has to deliver -now or never,with Parry gone he can’t shift the blame regarding cock-ups in the transfer market ie: Degen who could end up costing £8 mill over 4 years.

No wonder Digger enjoys your comments

seriously burgerman, are you taking the Michael?

If Rafa had signed Micheal Owen what do you think this mornings papers would have been full of?

I guarantee it wouldn’t be – “Master stroke by boss signing Owen on a free” – as it is in today’s papers.

No. They’d have been full of the truth… “Desperation signing as boss cracks up because top stars leave and others won’t join.”

Notice both imaginary headlines would fit both managers at both clubs, but you can see the difference in the treatment they recieve.

Shame some of our own so called fans choose to believe the mischevious drivel. Nevermind the tranches. Thank fuck, I don’t sit next to some of you on the kop.

Rome, I fully understand your annoyance at Owen signing for the scum, but as FS says (and I believe he is spot on) Owen never did have any real loyalties to LFC.

I can understand that none of us lads (if we ever made it as a pro) would never play for Mancs because we love LFC. Michael owen if not like that, and he has been given a route off soccer’s scrap heap at 29. None of us should be suprised that he has taken this opportunity.

As for England, IF he stays fit, don’t bet against seeing him in South Africa!

I think Bugerman is Digger in disguise!

He`s just winding us all up FS.

nice point in #86, FS!

MO scored some fantastic goals when he was with us and I thank him for that.
Regarding him,IF Rafa had thought him good enough for another spell at Anfield, then he would have pounced.
End of…..!

Rafa would not have signed Owen- reason being, Rafa ALWAYS signs players who have the desire to play for the red shirt. Rafa always makes sure when a player comes to LFC, the player has to want to come. Owen has had many, many chances to state his desire but never did, mainly because he always wants to keep his options open.

The many “owen” discussions now are mainly due to the fact that MU signed him, on the cheap. Just because he is good enough for MU, does not necessarily make it worthy to don the red shirt. If Hull or Stoke took him under their wings, would it have been any different for LFC?

Fergie is taking a gamble. He has lost twinkle toes and Tevez and is getting Owen as a proven back up. Owen cannot last 2 games per week. Owen can only play 1 game per week at most. Knowing Fergie, he’ll squueze whatever he can from Owen, putting Owen on the bench whenever the cost of playing him would increase. Keeping him on the bench to save a few pounds, kinda like what he did to Tevez, hoping to buy him on the cheap.

Anyway, good on Owen. Good on MU. Both have nothing to lose.

As for Alonso leaving, I’ll be sad if that happens. Alonso is a keeper, he does well in Europe and has adapted to the Premier league. The only reason why he should leave is if it is better for him.

The reason why I would prefer him to stay is because we need his skills, experience of playing with teammates he knows well in the coming season. At times, we might go for one holding midfielder, at times two and at times even without. He is needed as we need to alter our style of play to handle te different teams we face both in europe and in the premiership. He is invaluable. Andy said it best, our chances would be lesser without Alonso .

Still, if that takes place, I’d really like Van Dar Vaart to come to Anfield instead of the Negredo story being bandid about.

FS, don’t tell me that you’re not slightly pissed-off to see MO with that cheesy smile and a (feel sick now) manure top on.

Even though I agree with what you say and I not in the slightest bit worried when we play against him/manure but it still grates a bit.

C’mon, admit it.

You may well be onto something there Timmy.

But whoever he is, he seems to think that coming in here and dropping these little handgrenades is… well, I don’t know what the point is, but it says nothing about LFC or adds anything to the chat in here. In fact, it shows far more about him than it does about anything else.

The last post…
“Rafa was willing to give Fowler @ 32 a return to Anfield, why not do the same for a younger Owen?.”

I can’t even work out what he wants answering. Well, I can. As ususal, it’s just a Rafa out message behind a bit of a cloak.

“If Babel and Ngog leave, the club will need to bring in 2 strikers.”

What the fuck’s that all about? Oooops, of course it’s about Rafa out. Like every other post is.

“Wenger won 2 titles during his first 5 seasons.”

Woopdeedoo for Mr. Wenger. It must be nice to take over a team and club in as good a shape as he did. Shame he still hasn’t won a European cup, depite the great squad and well ran club that he inherited. But once again, it’s not really about that. It’s just the usual vieled message…. Rafa out.

“Rafa has to deliver -now or never.”

Well, despite that being a load of shite, it is pretty near to what he’s really trying to say… Rafa out.

“With Parry gone he can’t shift the blame regarding cock-ups in the transfer market ie: Degen who could end up costing £8 mill over 4 years.”

Fuck the circumstances under which some actions are taken, and fuck that thing – the awkward truth of actual facts, figures and stats. Got to keep to the agenda…. Rafa Out!

I’d say baffling but it’s not… it’s crystal clear, completely bloody see through. And I would say embarrasingly shameful, but I would be wasting my time and breath there.

Lurgy mate, I was absolutely distraught when Roger Hunt, St. John and Peter Thompson’s LFC careers came to an end.

I watched lots of players come and go as we tried to fill the 60′s legends boots, Bobby Graham, Peter Cormack, Alun Evans, etc.

We finally done it with Toshack and Keegan.
We all know what happened next, so there’s no point in me going on from St. John through Keegan, Dalglish, Rush, Aldo, Beardsley and right through to Torres.

But I did see other players/strikers that never quite made legend status come and go…
Micheal Robinson, David Johnston, Howard Gayle, David Fairclough, etc.

I was even upset to see them lads go after giving us some fantastic service, memories and moments, but not quite becoming legends.

So, it’s beyond me why I should be bothered about a Newcastle player, who is well past his prime joing our most hated rivals.

Like I said, I find it quite funny and I’ve had a great laugh out of listening to the media hacks and man u fans attempting to put a positive spin on it.

Well, I’ve got to go but here’s something…

The rumour flying around now is, Man City are offering John Terry £300,000 a week in basic wages.

Yep. That’s right – Three Hundred Grand a week!

Well, whether the story is true or not is debatable. But if it is correct – who do you think the whingeing, badge kissing “I’m Chelsea till I die,” will be playing for next season?

PS: Mr. Hill got it right in post #90….

Thanks for the memories and service Micheal. Good luck to you in the future, but not your employers. Tatty bye.

FS, I feel a bit ashamed that I do not know some of the names that you mentioned e.g. Bobby Graham and Peter Cormack from yester-years.

Of the others, I always thought that Michael Robinson underachieved in a red shirt. Again I do not have hard facts but it is just from my childhood memory that he was not as good as what we had before.

Even though now I understand to replace like with like at that time was not easy, by any stretch, in that period we just seemed to pull players from nowhere and they just fitted into the red machine.

Anyway, this brings me to my point. With Rafa it is not about individuals but about the team and (new) individuals must conform to the team ethic. Like you, this is why I am not too worried about losing Masch or Alonso but both at the same time would be tough, especially Alonso.

In football, as in the real world, it is easier to destroy than create, so IMHO Masch would be easier to replace. BTW, I am not sure if he would need to be replaced in the current system.

You know what Alonso brings to the team but if he goes, a couple of long-term injuries may fuck-up our season. This is my worry!

Anyway, away for a beer now. See you all later.

YNWA.

BTW, what a great photo this is:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8012611.stm

Both legends in our time!

Hello there! This is the first time a new blog came out and the comments I have read ran up to No96 already. Incredible!
OK, the debate is on whether we will win the league without Alonso and Masch. I think it is good to keep them if we can. And Rafa have come out to say hands off and that they are not for sale. However, if they are sold, I am sure the crafty Rafa will want to squeeze whoever (Madrid or Barca) is buying into parting with lots of money or money plus a strong player. And as Gerry so clearly stated Rafa will have plan B, C and D in place in case either or both of our holding MFs leave.

Final verdict: I agree that losing Alonso and Masch will still win us the league as we still have a solid team and spine and I trust Rafa to get the right replacements for us. So I am with Gerry and FS on this one.

As for MO, it stands for “Me Only” and “Money Only”. MO had contributed to the Club, and deserves our gratitute. However, as I said so many times before, he had been veryb greedy and thinking about himself. He doubted Rafa will get a trophy and ran away to Real Madrid. Rafa won the CL without him. When he left to return to the PL, he opted for Newcastle. And now joining a team which is so abhorrant to every Liverpool fan, going to Manure makes him all so shitty. Do we feel gratitude to MO? Certainly. Do we feel affection? Never!

And like FS, agree with Mr Jack Hill. Well said, Uncle Jack!

michael owens move (now that i’ve had a few days to mull over),hasn’t bothered me at all. I feel he was never a red through an through but i’m very greatful for his fantastic service to us.
My only worries that he will DEFINITLEY score against us but as long as its not the winner then fine. great post on #70 maybe wee micky will bang in an og on the last day of the season for us to win the league……….. how tasty would that be!!!

There you have it, just off the Press: Rafa pressing for Money + Player ( striker Alvaro Nevarro on loan to Almeria in La Liga) for Alonso. He was their top scorer with 13 and 19 for the last two seans there: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/07/04/exclusive-xabi-alonso-moving-to-real-madrid-dependent-on-alvaro-negredo-swap-deal-115875-21493148/

I’m a bit new to this blog lark but you all seem so in the know. I just hope that if alonso does go we have a quality replacement lined up! Negredo sounds good as part of the deal but I can’t help remembering nunez when we sold owen. I’d love to see us be a bit more ambitious and ask for van der vaart, sneijder, huntelaar as part of the deal. (even dare I say it robben!?)

Does anyone else worry that negredo will be like another antonio nunez?

Lurgan, Cormack was a fantastic player. I’m trying to think of someone in today’s game with a similar style, but I can’t off the top of my head. I could go on about him, but…
ttp://lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=286

It’s well worth a read. In fact, that’s a great site. I know Gerry doesn’t mind me recommending it. All LFC fans should know about it, and I often put it up in here. And I take my hats off to the people who put that together. Some job that.

But anyway, thinking about old players and the chance of some of today’s heroes leaving, made me think of this fella…
ttp://lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=401

Actually, I thought about him the other day. Mascherano leaving brought it to mind, and made me think about the modern games instance on having a “Holding midfielder.”

When did this start? Probably with Makelle at Chelsea. But in my day, no midfield player would have been used purely to disrupt the opposition.

I know Masch can bring us more than that. His chasing, harrying and tackling often results in us springing an attack and scoring goals. But, the fact is, his real/only job is to stop the opposition.

You wouldn’t have got away with that in my day. Wish you would have. I might have got somewhere meself. But not too long ago, what they call a holding midfielder today would have been called a waste of a shirt/pair of boots.

I can think of many players over the years that could strangle the opposition out of the game, but they were always expected to bring more than that to the team.

Which brings me back to Ian Ross. Maybe Jack Hill will remember him. Not many do nowadays. But I bet, had he been around today, he’d have most of the top clubs fighting like cat and dog just to get him. And he never really made it with us.

He was what we used to call a utility player. That was probably his downfall. He could play anywhere but was never considered great at any one job. Jack of all trades, master of none sort of thing.

But the reason why I remembered him, well, I never forgot him, but like I said it was the threat of Masch leaving that brought him to mind. And also these 2 performances that he gave…

1: Against Bayern Munich and Franz Beckenbauer.

I can still remember the story about it in the Liverpool Echo. He completely marked the Kaiser out of the game. He never gave the big fella an inch. And he completely negated one of the world’s greatest footballers from the kick off and stopped him from creating anything through out the whole game.
But on top of that… Yep. He lost The Kaiser at exactly the correct moment and scored for us.

2: He done the exact same to Alan Ball and completely marked the little ginger bastard right out of the Derby.

I was at that match, but again, I can remember the story in The Echo as if I was holding it now. Why?
Because, again, Ian Ross had stopped one of the world’s best players, completely destroyed him and stopped the whole Everton midfield from creating anything.

Honestly, more or less on his own, this unsung hero and forgotten player, stopped one of the greatest creative midfields (Kendall, Harvey, Ball) ever assembled, from doing any damage to us whatsoever.

What sort of money would a player like that command today?

A good few bob, but he couldn’t get a regular place in our side and eventually had to move on.

Why couldn’t he tie down a regular place?
Simple – we didn’t need him.

We didn’t need any players who were only really good at stopping others. Because – except for a few really top sides who we needed to beat – we didn’t bother about what the other team could/would do.

We let them worry about us. And if they scored 1, we scored 2. In fact, if they scored at all, it just seemed to piss us off and we panelled them for it.

That’s where I think (and truly hope) we headed again.

Yes. When we come up against the likes of Barca, it would be nice to have someone who can stop the likes of Messi. But didn’t Arbie recently show us that any good tackling, athletic, fit player with a brain, can do that?

But having said all that, please don’t take any of it wrong. I’ve said millions of times in here, I would be gutted if we lose any of our players – nevermind the mainstays of the team.

So, of course, you’re darn tooting I don’t want Alonso or Mascher to leave, but if they do, (which hasn’t even bloody happened yet) what’s the point of throwing in the towel before a ball is even kicked?

Knight sir, no disrespect but why is a gentleman like you taking any bloody notice of some cack you have just read in the English press?

Here you go….
ttp://www.wrx.zen.co.uk/britnews.htm

That site contains every “news” paper and magazine printed in the UK. Go through them all and see how many stories you come across that says the direct opposite to the one that you have just posted.

On second thought, don’t!

The amount of lies and hypocrisy you will see will only make you sick.

FS, I will use your wise advise and will not read it. It will save me time and nausea.

In the light of all the bickerings in this august column on Alonso and Masch, I think Gerry’s headline is most apt: “No need for a Red Alert”

Knight mate, I’ve had nothing really important to do for the last few days. I’ve had a few things to keep me busy, but still had to much time on me hands… That’s why I’ve ended up in here for the last few days being…

Well, I feel like I’m just nagging meself no. SO, I’ll pack it in and get on with something more useful (Go the pub).

But all the doom and gloom – over something that hasn’t even happened, and has been constantly stoked up by the disgraceful english media – is beyond me.

We go into battle in a matter of weeks. The enemy will always try to kill the morale of the opposition – especially the one they fear most.

What you gonna do… Believe all the propoganda and panic, or fight your corner?

I know where I stand.

Sorry for nagging chaps. I’m off the pub and then going to my daughter’s 30th birthday bash. So, I’ll either be back in a much nicer mood or with a raging hangover!

Oh Uh, look out Dig.

Hey FS and all you guys, i found out that we can paste hyperlinks without any problems now. So no need of removing the h in the http anymore.

FS, Peter cormack and Ian Ross must have been very good players for us. They were very much before my time. They retired 10 years before i was born . So i can get to know them only from guys like you. Thanks for the info.

I have never met Kenny Dalglish, although I did manage to get his autograph at Watford on New Year’s Day, 1985.

All the people connected with him at LFC, players, managers and other staff speak very highly of him and the words “humble” and “genuine” are amongst the words you will hear used most often to describe him.

Kennny fell in love with Liverpool Football Club in 1977, had to resign as manager due to ill health in 1991 and is now back at the club in his new Academy/Ambassador role. He says he is lucky to be invited back to the club after leavung us all those years ago. I say we are the lucky one’s to have this man, the epitomy of everything decent and honest, back at the best Football Club in the world.

super stuff gerry.I think your right nobody should panic.if the “unthinkable” should happen don’t think rafa will leave us high and dry.he will have a ready and able replacement lined up and we will drive ON!

ps:delighted with the signing of the king.as for mo i’m not that bothered if was great for us but left us for what he thought was greener pastures.thanks for the memorys mo but any little affection you had har now gone.digger,just listening to cork and offaly on the wireless and ye’re giving us a good game ye cheeky feckers .cork up by a point 10 mins into the second half.

FS, if you are so bored, come over to Bangkok for the Thailand game on 22 July. I shall be there 21-23. Cheer up, mate!

It is funny how one forgets history. I recall as early as June 2007 how I wanted Alonso out. He was pathetic in season 2006-7. Injured mostly and when he played he was never the person who won us the CL in 2005. I remember saying he was one of those players we should sell, along with Finnan and Riise. Many fans were against sellling him and voiced it out by singing his name in 2007. I was not one of them. One season later he was one of our top players. Will Alonso be consistent again? I think he can be, that’s why I said we should not sell him. But heck if he wants to leave and is gounchy about things, have a negative attitude about the team and Manager, then I think we will be better off to sell him, get some funds and get another player whom Rafa identifies and wants. And with the funds, find a suitable, younger replacement like David Silva.

Fantastic and brilliant quotes on Torres to quell the fears of all doom sayers even if we should sell ( we have yet to sell, mates!) Alonso and Masch: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164940090704-0903.htm

congratultion pepe reina – winner for the red i would most like to go out on a bender with!

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N164891090626-0831.htm

Knight, I share your sentiments about Alonso. I really don’t want us to lose him but if he really wants to go then he should go (all hearsay at the moment, let’s not forget)

If he does go we will find an extremely good replacement. Whisper it quietly though, as it appears that there are some people in here who think that Xabi is irreplaceable!

@FS

I read what your explanation as to why we can win the title even without Xabi and Masch. All i can say is .. I was watching one video at youtube showcasing the unity of Liverpool fans singing non stop at Old Trafford. I would not like to extend this argument anymore and try to be like a true Liverpool fan.

I get the feeling that a lot of times you tend to agree on what might happen to our club or players and try to assert that whatever will happen will end up doing us good more than bad.

Your idea of replacing Xabi and Masch with Lucas and benny on a consistent basis is beyond me. Time will tell who is right.

From my side :

We wont win the title without xabi and masch. We might win if we loose Xabi and get an equally good replacement. Otherwise i see us beating a lot of sides with the team u have put up but we will not be a strong enough squad to sustain a title challenge.

Lastly FS,you must understand that when someone contradicts ur view it is with some strong reason. The kind of formation we play makes two central midfielders very important for us. I actually think this season with the same team & with Johnson as RB and Insua getting better we will get be even more dangerous. There is no need for us to change our formation. We have everything in place. We just need to hold on to our key players.

@ All the optimists who think we might still win without Xabi and Masch.

I dont think we can. I have hope that both will stay.

My ideal formation:

Reina
Johnson,Carra,Agger,Insua
Masch,Alonso
Kuyt,Gerrard,Riera
Torres

The full backs bombing forward to support the front 3 with Masch and Alonso protecting the back two. Thats how we will play. We will be lethal.

Morning lads. Well, I had a great night and woke up in an even better mood. Then I looked through this morning’s papers.

Bad mistake.

Wimbledon seems to have kept them quite, well, quieter, for the last couple of weeks. But I warn you… get ready for the shite to start flying this week.

The main gist of them all this morning is, what a Genius The Tramp is and what schtuck the silly fat Spanish waiter is in.

I should just laugh, but they know quite well if they throw enough shit some of it will stick. I think Rafa should start thinking of suing again. Last time he knocked back money and got a nice new van for some under priveledged kids in Liverpool. Didn’t see any of them print that up, especially the News Of The World, Or the Sunday Sun as it’s known in Liverpool, abnd who he won the van off.

All doubters have now been brought back into the fold, and all journalists who were questioning the Owen signing before it took place are fighting each other to be first to say what a move of genius it was by the master.

I wonder what they’ll say when the first hamstring snaps. Well, no I don’t because they’ll have the stories already written… No fee. No wages. No problem.

Meanwhile apparently Rafa has been ambushed by Xabi Alonso and Masch. Yep. One paper (Forget which can’t be arsed digging it up) says, Xavi and Masch have both confronted Rafa and demanded they set him free from the bondage of LFC.

Just surprises me it never went as far as to say they was both tooled up, done for Rafa silently, crept out of Melwood and done an escape from Colditz over the wall and barbed wire.

But it gets better… they reckon all Rafa’s prospective signings are priced out of his reach and Liverpool will be going into battle – against the mighty Tramp and his best ever squad because it now contains the Boy Wonder – with nobody except Dosenna on the pitch because nobody wants to sign that bag of shite.

Oh well, at least they’ve gave up on the Torres to Chelsea, Man U, Real and Accrington Stanley stories. So I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies. But I warn you, get up the bullshit deflector shields for the coming week.

Missed your post Somnath but thank you very much for taking the time to come up with that. Silly me for not understanding that, and I really appreciate the free pyscho-analysis and character assesment session too.

I stand corrected and bow to your superior knowledge.

Who said that these advertisement people didn’t know what they are talking about

http://funny.funnyoldplanet.com/funny/cristiano-ronaldo-is-a-prick/

FS, thanks for the heads-up on players from the past. That guy Ian Ross (aka Kaiser’s shadow) is very interesting.

He played a total of 69 games, scoring four, over a period of ~6 years. By all accounts, as you have said, it was his versatility that limited his number of appearances. How much would this man be worth nowadays?

Also, I didn’t know that Cormack was the guy who was left in the cold when Ray Kennedy was converted from a striker to a midfielder. Ah, you live and learn everyday.

Supposedly that guy Robert Ryder was not that bad either

Everywhere I look, the media is now singing their praises about what an excellent move Ferguscum has made in signing that piece of unwanted trash.

I couldn’t help but smile, for I have the feeling this is truly the beginning of the end of their dynasty.

A while ago, I’ve seen a very cool trailer of an upcoming Star Wars online game, and I thought the narrative pretty much described the demise of Ferguscum and his delusions of grandeur very well, so I’ve taken the liberty to change some words to make it match:

Our time has come.
For twenty years, we prepared. We grew strong.
While you rested in your cradle of power.
You were trusted to win the Quintuple.
Believing your perch to be safe and protected.
But you were deceived.
For the biased spin of the media has deluded you.
You assumed no force could challenge you.
And now… Finally… We have returned.
And your dynasty… shall fall.

Well I have tried to hold myself back from commenting on the MO issue, well what I can say is good luck, lets face it if Man U came in with an offer for any player in the world they would probably be blessed for the opportunity. However some divides should never be crossed.
.
I hope things work out for the guy because he gave me some of the great memories I have of LFC, watching him and SG come up from the junior ranks swelled me with pride, as it now does watching Insua.
.
MO is throwing everything he has at a last ditch career, good luck, but when you don’t even make the bench at Newcastle, your basically finished. It appears from all concerned that Rafa has a long memory.
.
Good luck MO but get used to being 3rd or 4th choice, winning teams need players who give all they have when the chips are down. It’s easy to walk, but champions stay. (as did Stevie)

According to reports, Michael Owen had his heart set on a return to LFC, but Rafa didn’t want him.

The report adds that Owen would have signed for us for £25,000 per week, meaning he would be taking a £75,000 per week pay cut in the process.

Was Rafa right not to sign him? Probably.

Owen bit Fergie’s hand off after that. Whose going to turn down Champions Leauge football when it seemed you were on the scrapheap 24 hours earlier??

Steve the Red, I really do not believe that report.

If Owen wanted to come to LFC, all he had to do was SAY it. Owen did not as he wanted to keep his options OPEN.

I think that same report also mentioned how HARD the people “connected” to Owen tried to get the people at LFC to make a deal, even as Owen was approached by MU. BOLLOCKS I say, the moment MU approached Owen, he made his decision.

Fergie’s gonna use Owen in bit parts. Owen cannot play more than a game a week and Fergie will use his cunning ways to save on the Owen deal, putting him on the bench more often. IMO.

MO walked out on LFC when Rafa arrived and left the boss minus a recognised striker. By all accounts he could have came back to Anfield from Real but, for whatever reason, he chose the Toon instead.

I thank him for his service and the many highlights he has given (FA cup final was up there with the best of them) but he does not deserve another chance.

Hi Lads,

Just read through half of the comments and I must say that I’m squarely of the opinion that Mash and Alonso are expendable…

I’ve always felt uneasy about Mash’s passes. He just doesn’t have any real range. Hes definately an upgrade from Momo, but he really doesn’t offer anything in attack or creatively… I’m sure if Rafa sold him for 30mill+ that we’ll be able to find a player that would bring more to the table… I agree, Mash, although a fantastic player, is replacable… ( perhaps Royston Drenthe would be an interesting option…)

By the way, I thought Aurelio would make a far better DM than Left back. I was seriously impressed last season… Just wish that he’d stop getting bloody injured!!!!

Thank Fuck I have been too busy to write a comment, I caught up last night but could not be bothered to write anything with all the depressing over the top shite that is being posted. Great blog as usual Gerry and I agree with what you have said.

Yes lets write the obituaries, LFC will ceased to exist if Alonso and Masch are sold we would be doomed to the backwaters of the Prem!

Firstly has anyone heard anything concrete from either Masch or Alonso that has said they want out? No I thought not. The most we have heard is I am faltered at the interest and you can never say never coming from Alonso who is paying Rafa back for wanting to sell him last year. Both have 3 years left on their contract and are going nowhere without exorbitant amounts of money changing hands.

I still believe both will be here come the start but at the worst case scenario 1 might be sold for a big fee. For all of you who are saying it would take time for a new midfielder to settle, well Alonso had his best year the first year he joined with the exception of last year and Masch slotted in like he had been here for years. It depends on the player and how many you are trying to accommodate. Our team is settled and balanced. To bring in 1 or 2 players is much easier than 5 or 6 as we have been doing for the last 4 years. We will challenge regardless because we have the best Manager around with or without Alonso and Masch and because we have a very good squad of first team players that will only get better.

The way the comments have been flying one would think that Alonso is the only midfielder that can pass a ball well 30 odd million buys you a lot of talent and to say a Sneijder, van der Vaart, Inler, Hamsik, Silva, Xabi, Inieste and many other are not in his class is plain moronic. Rafa will find somebody as good if need be. The movement and players you pass to make a playmaker look good and most people would improve and look good in the team Rafa has assembled. As for Masch, I personally think he would be more difficult to replace than Alonso, but will also have less impact on our Prem challenge than Alonso as he is a ball winner and destructive force, with only Essien better than him. Saying that what we would loose bringing in another midfielder we would gain in more creativity. Would a Inler, Sneijder or van der Vaart or Silva combination be worse than a Alonso and Masch combination. Rafa will have plan A, B, C D to Z already worked out and with over 40 000 players names in his data base I trust him to get it right especially seeing money to replace will not be a problem if that is the case.

For know they are LFC players and the Hacks can stir as much shit as they wont but I trust Rafa to get them to stay or if the worst does happen and they force a transfer we will still challenge. Lucas is going to make a lot of people eat their words before the end of this season. Have a little faith, have a little trust.

As for MO I think he is perfect for ManU, he is not an LFC player but a Barcode player, he ceased being an LFC player when he forced a move to Real. Thank you for the memories but it stops at that, not interested but will be amused when he is not the answer for ManU.

post #124 lol p.s well said keith@D

Thanks very much for the nice kind words, especially FS and Knighty. I don’t need to be called Mr,even though it’s a mark of respect for the elders.
Unfortunately, I didn’t see Cormack play and the ball now seems more like a beachball than the leather one which picked up moisture like a camel in the desert and made heading it more like a punishment than anything else-thank God I was an ouside left most of the time.
I enjoy most of the comments but I must admit that some of them seem defeatist!
Roll on next season and …..YNWA.

well said Keith

Rafa will have planned ahead,IF they go, and I think the worst case scenario is one of them will go, he will already have 2 or 3 players in mind to replace them.

I haven’t read all the comments but I wonder if you and I are the only ones who think Monster would be the harder of the two to replace.

Xabi is a good player but their are lots of prospects with similar skills but Mascherano’s particular talent of breaking games up is equalled by nobody else I can think off, but none the less I bet Rafa still has a couple of players in mind.

I have to agree with FS about the way formations change and I think that rafa is quite capable of changing formation or tactics if neccesary, should we lose one or both of these players and replace them with players with different skill types.

Will it affect our chances of winning the title?
Well yes it will, disruption is never good, but think of it this way, We may sell Alonso and Rafa will go out and buy somebody you have never heard off, who not only replaces him but surpasses him and we go on to win the title in style.

In all honesty how many of you had heard of Alonso before he came to us.
Trust the boss, whatever happens you can bet Rafa will do the best he can for the club, and short of complete meltdown at boardroom level we will compete and possibly win next year.

Great points in there lads. And that’s not a stab at Somanth or anyone else who thinks we are doomed. It’s exactly what it says… good points made by those who’ve give it some thought.

I hate it when it gets personel in here. I know I’m always up for a good argument, but it usualy goes on for days in here and takes away from the things that are worth talking about.

But I hate it even worse when kneejerk panic sets in for no reason. Fuck me, I thought the suicidal reactions to some of our draws last season was bad, very bad, but this “We’re Doomed, I tell you, we’re doomed” reaction to something that hasn’t even happened is way beyond my comprehension and patientce.

I understand the frustration at the thought of our central midfield leaving. It would be a terrible blow – especially now at this stage in the teams development. But, 1: It hasn’t happened. 2: We’ll get on with it, if it does.

And I just can’t understand why people would throw the towel in – whether it does happen or not.

Didn’t last season teach anything? There was people throwing in the towel as early as the home draw with West Ham.

Get a grip lads, it’s a bloody long season. Anything can happen.

Somnath I’m going to use what you said to make my point…
“I read what your explanation as to why we can win the title even without Xabi and Masch. All i can say is .. I was watching one video at youtube showcasing the unity of Liverpool fans singing non stop at Old Trafford. I would not like to extend this argument anymore and try to be like a true Liverpool fan.”

Well, the fact is… Xabi Alonso didn’t even play at Old Trafford. And in that match we played the sort of football that makes a player like Xabi Alonso practically redundant. So, if you did watch that again, I can only suggest you watch it yet again and try to see my point…

There is many way’s to skin a Manc.

Anyway, I rmemember them balls well Jack. When I was a kid we had one of them sadist coaches who used to really welly them at us in the freezing cold. I remember the lace in one was hanging out and it ripped a big chunk of flesh out of me thigh. I’ve still bear the scar neraly 200 years later.

They reckon heading them killed a few players. It came out when Jeff Astle died. The was a big argument about it, lawyers doctors and the like, and I always remember the picture they produced as evidence… Jeff Astle flying through the air, doing a diving header and one of them old cannon balls was wrapped, practically flat, around his face.

I’ll have to see if I can dig up the picture on the net and put a link to it in here. I wince just thinking about it.

I suppose that sort of makes me point an all… I know we can’t do much about what happens, but what’s the point of whingeing like a schoolgirl? The fight’s on in a couple of weeks. We have to head into it convinced we will win – no matter what ammunition we have. That sort of deafetist attitude has cost us too many titles over the last 20 years. We can’t let it happen again, especially after the lessons of last season.

And after all that, here’s what I came in to say…
My friend Harry finally made it home to Liverpool today. Byt the time he reached Liverpool the old battered appeal mobile moped was billowing smoke like a tugboat, screaming in pain and moving at about 2 mile an hour.

That’s some adventure old Harry has had. You can look it up here…
ttp://appealmobile.blogspot.com/

Never say die lads.

Just another quick note Pepe reckons Rafa has no intention of selling Alonso or Masch. Hell who do we believe the Sun, News of the Dirt, The Daily Manc or somebody who is part of our team? All these sites, Tribal Football and all these other shite sites are not worth the download cost, ignore them. Until it is announced on the Official site, or the Echo or the player comes out and says I want to leave in a live interview its plain and simple News mongering and nothing more.

FS of the many chins I see Spearing and Darby are being offered extended contracts so Rafa cannot think too badly of them and they seem to be in his medium plans at the very least. Mind you they are still youngsters at 20. I quite like Spearing in that combative Steve Mac role; hopefully he won’t turn out to be as bad a TV pundit.

As for the comments that Lucas cannot fill the Masch role well hello he is a box to box midfielder more in the mould of Gerrard, yes, yes he is not as good as Gerrard before anybody states the obvious. I am going to be very interested to see how the youngsters have progressed this season, especially with another full preseason under their belts.

I am reading this blog after days, and am quite amazed that you guys are still stuck on the same discussion. Owen has already joined the f***ing Manure. It’s useless arguing on our ex-player. I admit that he shouldn’t hav joined them as a scouser. But now that he has done it, it’s pointless to keep pondering on the same issue.

Now, now Keith. Don’t you start. You know I’d love both Darby and Spearing to make it, local lads, Academy graduates an all that.

The only thing I’ve ever said about Darby is he’s too young/inexperienced to relie on as cover for Johnson if Arbie goes.

But I think highly of the kid. He’s of the Steve Finnan mould, and so they call him Mr. Reliable in the ressies. A solid defender, but nothing spectacular going forward.

Is that enough nowadays, especially considering what’s expected of a fullback in todays game? Probably not, but certainly doesn’t mean he can’t make it.

As for Spearing, I have never doubted his ability, just whether he’s good enough to be a first team regular at LFC. Sadly me answer is still, no probably not.

But it’s good to have young local talent in the squad, and even if the worse comes to the worse, they will still make the club a nice few quid in sales.

As for kids coming through this season, I really want Pacheco to make the leap. He’s brilliant that kid, but he’s only 18, stands 5’6″ inches soaking wet, and weighs 10st 7lb in his stocking feet. So, I doubt we’ll be seeing him getting thrown in the deep end for awhile yet. But I do expect him and some other kids to start making little inroads… FA/Carling Cup at least.

As for the Alonso and Masch sales, I sadly can see them happening. But lads, don’t go jumping all over that. I feel like fucking Henry Kissenger in here at times, and I’m getting really tired of having to explain everything I post.

And way back in the mists of this blog, somewhere before the land that time forgotten, I gave my reasons why they could be sold. But for the sake of peace and the record… I’m not saying it will happen. I’m not saying I want it to happen. I’m just saying it could, and, if it does, we’ll have to face up to it and get on with it.

PS: KopKing… Owen isn’t Scouse

Here you go…
ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBYacf1kJ8g

This was the only thing I could find. And I know these clips are no way to judge a player, but believe me – This kid is special.

Here’s a few clips from his days at Barca.

IMHO, the lad is pure class and benny onion can’t weigh much more than him.

http://video.google.fr/videosearch?q=dani+pacheco&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=WP1QSoyMIdCPsAb0psjxBw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=8#

Looking forward to seeing him in the 1st team squad this coming season.

Hey Gerry, i’ll be anxiously waiting your comments on Judas move to the scum this week. I’m sure you have something to say about that.

FS my friend just a friendly jab with regards to Spearing and who knows at 20 what he can do or develop into. Anyway with regards to Pacheo I remember another 5.6” and 10st 7lbs wet footballer, his name was Maradona and he did not do too badly did he, with the exception of the “Hand of God” comment and single handedly keeping the Columbian Cartels in business.

All this Judas and Scum malarkey is a bit OTT, and to top it off it’s manc language.
Here’s what Scousers think of it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeoXAZVlkHs

Keith mate, I think the hand of god was probably his master stroke. I still laugh when those lovely Ingurlund fans whinge over it.

As for Pacheco, it’s not his size that bothers me. It’s that coupled with his age.

I remember the last time we had a lad of about that age and size. We completely wrecked his hamstrings by over playing him in our desperation to hang on to the mancs. In hind sight, probably a good thing. But I’d hate to see Pacheco getting fucked up before he’s ready. He’s going to be the man one day.

Only 2 of the videos worked for me, but great spot that Lurgan mate.

The kids pure class. Can you imagine him playing just behind Torres.

No wonder Barca are still pissed of with us.

Agreed about the “Judas and Scum” cliches. I can’t remember Michael Owen ever giving us anything less than his best for us. He’s been gone 5 years from the club and he’s well known for putting himself and his career in first place. The time to come back was when he got booted out by Madrid. He is now playing with manure and so I’ll wish him no luck whatsoever. That’s that.

On another point what do the posters here think about the evolving nature of our attacking threat for next year. Where are the goals likely to come from.
Even at this stage I think we are a more dangerous team. Glen J could really tear up the right side with Dirk filling in everywhere Johnson isn’t as well as creating space for him.

Insua is a bright intelligent left full, clever and calculating. Hopefully he’ll build on last year. Dossena (despite his many detractors) got better as the year went on and I’d say we’ll see a lot more of him and from him with his physicality and crossing.

Given we didn’t get much of anything from the deep flanks last year, (Aurelio has no pace and no great defensive qualities for me and would be better off in the middle), I think it’s a new dimension for the team and should not only provide goals but stretch the bus-parkers and create space for Stevie & the rest of the gang.

Here, what about this for a crazy idea.

If Alonso goes, put Gerrard back in central midfield and put Pacheco in the hole.

If you had not noticed, I think that this lad is the dogs nuts.

Disclaimer: A bit pissed now, so sorry if it does not make sense! Will check my own post 2morro

oh, shit, I think that #144 has already stated this.

The funny thing is that I had already the comments. Time for bed me thinks!

a demain

ah feck, it’s getting worse with every post!

Goodnight redmen…

FS my dear friend, you once said if I ever get a chance to be a day tripper at Anfield you would help me get a ticket. Well my day has come, I am going to be in England on Saturday the 12/12/2009, the game V’s Arsenal, also on the 16/12/2009, the game V’s Wigan, can you please see if you can arrange a ticket for me for 1 or both of those games. Sorry to have to ask this but I don’t know how to do it from over here.
.
Ps to the Aussie lads, have a look at this tour in November and December at http://www.gulliverssporttravel.com.au, it’s being run through an association with NSW football.
.
Fuck I might be a day tripper but I’ve got butterfly’s already.

To be honest with you, I don’t give a shite about owen.
I only worry about lost signings who can actually do a job for us, for instance, daniel alves. That was a massive blow for me. And Michael Laudrup.

Owen would not be able to get a place in our side now. He can’t play up front on his own, he can’t be gerrard behind torres, and he can’t play on the flanks. We don’t need him. So I care less where he goes.

Hyde, let’s count our blessings. I would much rather have Glen Johnson at right back ahead of Daniel Alves.

After that shambolic champions league game, I would have to agree, steve, although I still think he would have made a great option, especially in midfield.

But no matter, our team is slowly evolving.

As things stand, Arbie, Masch and Xabi will still be at Anfield next season. In addition we now have Glen Johnson and the returning Voronin to add to our squad.

I would say that if we can keep what we have and bring in one more player in the Silva mould, that is a player that can operate between the flanks and score goals then we will have enough to win the Prem.

Of course, exactly who else we should buy is a matter for debate but I bet Rafa is working on that right now. He will know we need a little more guile in our ranks when it comes to breaking down the bus parkers. Johnson will certainly help, let’s hope the arrival of A.N other is not too far away.

I think we will see Insua playing much more next season. The prospect of having two young athletic full backs who can easily get up and down the pitch for 90 minutes is an awesome one.

In the case of Insua, perhaps his delivery will need to improve but this can be acheived relatively easily and we will see alot of attacks and link up play coming from our backs. It’s a great prospect and is definitely the way forward, IMO.

Hello Lads and Gerry
Great Blog and great comments I liked that MO video fatty
It was pretty weird to see him in the Jersey with the scarf and the cheesy grin
Skanks for all the memories but as Dougle says hes playing for Ushited now so I wish him no luck at all
Pacheto looks like the mutts nuts so thanks for the video’s lads
Knight brother I’m trying to mastermind a way to Bangkok for the game, no promises but shes looking good.
As regards how hard the old balls used to be: I took a sliotar in the snot yesterday, thats gotta count for something
Any of ye Irish lads know a site where I can download GAA games?

As regards Xabi and Masher, I like the guys but if they want to leave (which no reliable source has said) well so long and thanks for all the fish and Ill see ye on the flip side when we win the quintruple next year (how do ye like that for optimism?) and I believe it too.

Nigeria I too would like to go on the piss with Pepe but not before a game

Over/out and keep her lit!

Morning Gents.
No problem Gaz. Well, tell a lie. The Arsenal ticket might be one, but I’ll try for you and I’ll definetely get you a Wigan one. Just do me a favour and remind me nearer to the game – about a week or so before and I’ll sort it out for you.

After all the Pacheco talk, I was talking to a mate this morning and he reckons the lad could be going out on loan this season. In a way I hope not because I’d like to see him starting to make the breakthrough, but I suppose a higher grade of football on a regular basis would help him develop quicker. And anyway… Rafa knows best.

PS: NK… I’d also love to get bladdered with Pepe. He’s seems a right laugh that lad.

Rafa should sign this fella…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/feedarticle/8593086

What a crazy country….but then again, some of the unfair criticism from fans can be brutal…

I wonder if he had the gun down his shorts while he was playing? You know, just in case some supporter started giving him heavy abuse!

Hi Gerry, what is your take on AF signing Owen. I feel he just wants to upset Liverpool players especially Gerard when Owen scores. He knows Liverpool is really going to be handful this season and he doesn’t want Liverpool to win it. I think he doesn’t care if Chelsea or Arsenal win it as long as Liverpool don’t. Can you see when it is a tight race and the press going after Gerard when Owen scores. Knowing the shit press they are going to make it a Gerard Owen race this season.

Fat Scouser, you said in an earlier comment that Wenger took over an Arsenal team that was in good shape.They finished 12th in 1996 and Wenger then took over as manager on October 1 1996.In his first full season as manager they won the title having spent buttons.No nonsense 5 year plans,he did what Roy Evans could never do in a million years, even though Evans had the benefit of serving an apprenticeship under Shanks, Paisley, Fagan, Dalglish etc.

gerry, the comments have exceeded 160. the natives are restless. time for a new blog, if you can pry your fingers away from the stella. set the ball rolling on owen, once revered by the anfield faithful as st michael. fallen from grace and gone over to the dark side.

Thanks FS I appreciate all the help ta.

Redneck can you imagine that breakfast between taggart and Michael? ‘….Michael, I am your father, join me, it is your destiny…’ Lol!

Lol, “Your destiny lies with me young Michael!”

Once upon a time, in a fallacy, far, far away…..

Sorry lads but sometimes it amazes me. Why the fuck would Ferguson sign Micheal Owne just to get at Steven Gerrard.

FFS. I don’t care how old you are. Or how limited your knowledge is, or what sort of a prick this makes me look like… get a fucking grip.

It’s an excellent move for Owen, and hopefully a good one for us too.

But why on earth is anyone bothered about a player that left us years ago? And why the fuck should Gerry dedicate a whole blog to it?

If he did it would be the first one I’d refuse to read.

Burgerman… after days of nitpicking through numerous posts, is that all you can come up with?

You need to sharpen your handgrenades.

Pathetic.

Lmao! Very good lads! And as always rio is jar jar! Stevie is surely Han Solo?! Rafa is Yoda,….take it away lads…

Fergie must be Count Dooku.

Rooney – one of those Gamorrean guards?
(ttp://members.shaw.ca/mkuppe/c3/williamson.jpg)

Is Skirtle Chewbacca then?

Sam Allardyce – Jabba the Hutt

I laughed when I read this first on Friday morning (Owen to Utd), and I still haven’t stopped laughing since.

Thank God Rafa didn’t go there.

If Owen kept his nerve, he would have joined us instead of the barcodes, his priorty then was ensuring his Ingurland place.
4 years later he is at the same thing again. If he signing for anyone else, no one would have batted a eye-lid.
Sure Rafa was trying to sign Heinze 2 years ago and we would all have had a right laugh he that had happened.
The bottom line is, over the last 5 years Liverpool has gone in one direction and Owen gone the other.

I don’t blame Owen for leaving LFC and I don’t blame him for joining the mancs. 2 teams were interested. Hull and Man Utd – come on thats a no brainer.

As far as I’m concerned as it stands the mancs are weaker than they were before the transfer window opened so I’m not bothered one iota by the owen signing.

Rafa has a data base.
The Tramp has a brochure.

Fat Scouser
Posted on July 6, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Rafa has a data base.
The Tramp has a brochure.

Nice one FS.

That’s really not helping my uncontrolled laughter…. it’s getting bloody worse…

LB, I agree that Owen joining ManU was a no-brainer when the offer came in.

But to me, instead of waxing lyrical about how over the moon he is to be playing for them, how it is a dream come true (or something along those lines – “never in my wildest dreams did I imagine…) etc – all he had to do was, early in the piece, make mention that he understands how some LFC fans may be uncomfortable seeing him in a Manure shirt but to please understand his situation etc. Yes, we should all understand his situation anyway, but I just think it’s a tiny bit disrespectful not to recognise his past “allegiances” on this one.

Correct me if I’m wrong and he did come out and say so early on – I just haven’t seen it. And I won’t count it if he only said it later on after being asked about it.

As an example, Kewell was called many things when he joined Galatasaray due to his Leeds past. But at least when he did his “judas” move by joining them he immediately made mention of his past and sent a small message to the Leeds fans.

I couldn’t give a shit about Owen otherwise, and personally I couldn’t give a fuck he’s joined Man U, but I’d say there were many thousands of kids who idolised him in his LFC days who would like to hear him at least recognise his past when signing for their old enemy.

He’s just being signed as a replacement for Tevez anyway – ie, lots of bench time and substitute appearances.

Haha nice one Fatty. Anyone seen a copy of the brochure? Cracked me up that one did.

Andy, unfortunately, Jabba happens to co-own our very club…..

Couldn’t care less about Owen said me piece already about xabi and mash.

Burgerman: Are you a Liverpool fan? What has Roy Evans got to do with Rafa? Who’s position would you rather be in at this moment in time Rafa’s or Wenger’s? LFC fan’s or Arse fans? Can’t take away what Wenger did wouldn’t try to but has he won a champions league? err no. I don’t really understand what your posts are on about. You said Rafa gave Robbie a second chance why not a younger owen? Did you really need an answer to that?

Andy, Owen didn’t mention LFC at all – it’s as if the thought of pissing off LFC fans has not even occurred to him. Clearly he couldn’t give a shit. He only cares about his career and anything else is irrelevant. He didn’t say it was his dream he said it is a fantastic opportunity for him.

Paul Ince did the same thing but the other way round. He wanted to come back to England Liverpool showed interest and Ince saw it as a good opportunity.

We clearly did not want Owen back so why should we give a moneys who he’s signed for?

Owen was an Evertonian as a kid. He could have joined them or the mancs before joining Liverpool. His dad made him sign for Liverpool as he thought it was in his son’s best interests.
It was for no other reason.

Micheal was born in Chester. He is not Scouse. He never really had a great emotional tie to the club or the city. By the same token, The Kop never had a real great emotional tie to him. I’d say he was more repected than loved, which is sort of a shame considering what he done for the team/club.

I suppose it’s understandable that some people feel betrayed in some way. But, in my opinion, they’d be better off remembering for the service he gave us, and the fact that he left 5 years ago.

It’s not as if he is walking out of Anfield and into Old Trafford. He made that choice 5 years ago. So, it’s nothing new. Micheal Owen has always had one main interest at heart… Micheal Owen.

So, to be honest I find all this shit slinging and righteous indignation a bit daft to say the least. I could maybe understand it coming from a manc who has seen Ronaldo and Tevez walk only to be replaced by an over the hill crock.

And as I’ve stated many times, I am thoroughly made up that he joined the Mancs. His best days are long behind him. And if he is to have any sort of personal success at their club, it will only be to the detrement of the team.

He does absolutely fuck all outside the box. I think he had one assist credited to him all last season. He is in fact a luxury player. A player that you have to set the team up to play to his strengths. Can Man U afford to do that? I don’t think so.

Towards the end of the last season, I kept banging on about how weak Man U are in mid-field. And Rafa had already proved how suspect the defence is when team’s actually have the bottle to go at them. In fact, the only real place they had any great advantage over other teams was in attack. Well, they’ve lost 2 players that gave them over 44% of all their goals over the last two seasons. And they’ve replaced them with an over priced winger who (off the top of me head) has scored about 7 times in 3 years, and Micheal Owen.

How the fuck does that solve any of their problems in any department – attack, midfield or defence?

I think we, well you should be revelling in all that. I know I am.

KDLL, do you remember the Phantom Flan Flinger?

LB Paul Ince is a good example. To me he was never a real LFC player. To the Mancs, once he left them, he was always a West Ham player. To the West Ham fans he was always Judas. (In fact, that’s where the name first started).

You have to remember to them fellas it’s just a job.

People like Garcia, Smicer and Dudek will always be more of an LFC player to me than Owen. They may have been forigners from 3 different countries, but like Nando now, they got it. They realised what it was to be a Red.

They still even go to our games.

Whenever Owen played for Newcastle at Anfield he got a poor reception from the Kop as well correct me if I’m wrong? Why he should then feel the need to console LFC fans after signing for the mancs is beyond me.

Owen is an irrelevance.

FS: No I don’t remember the Phantom Flan flinger. I might know who you mean but not the name. I used to get taken to the games when I was a nipper then we moved away in 1980 and was away for a few years. When we moved back to the pool I used to go the games on me own so to speak.

I’m pleased Toon reject MO has joined the mancs. Just more evidence to show the confusion now prevalent in the old tramp’s brain. I thought he was on his way after his tactics in Barça game, especially his positioning of the real Judas, Shrek. Anyway, this is what the mancs were saying about MO before they realised they were actually going to sign him. LOL.

http://www.redcafe.net/f7/michael-owen-produces-brochure-himself-find-new-club-254258/

LB: Owen was hurt by the fans reaction. First game back the fans sung “where were you in Istanbul?” Which was a bit out of order really as he’d done his best for us. There are players who have left us of their own accord who are still remembered fondly, Clemo for example. He did it the right way. I remember him saying he’d achieved everything at Liverpool and wanted a new challenge. Owen is not remembered with fondness because he didn’t do it the right way, he looked after Michael Owen. Shame really because he could have been a legend, to me that’s the same as what Keegan did, ruined his legend status. I know Keegan was a great player for s but to me he’ll always be a Newcastle player first and foremost.

I can just see it now, Fergie slumped over his desk with an empty bottle of turps and a half drunk toilet duck.

One of his poor arse kissers gets shoved into The Tramps office by all the other arse kissers who are to afraid to go in.

The Tramp goes into a rage when told Ronaldo and Tevez are leaving. He takes another swig of Duck and gets vindictive….
Fuck tha’ bashtids. I dinnae need them fuckers. Gemme tha’ what’s he’s name, tha wee felly tha’ looks like Tevez.
Ribbery, Sir Alex?
Aye. Aye. Tha’s the woan, go gemme tha’ ugly bashtid annae fresh bottle’a turps.
I’m sorry Sir Alex, he won’t come.
The tramp ragin round the office…
Bashtid. Bashtid. Fuckin ugly bashtid. Fuck him then. Go gemme tha’ what’s he’s name the French felly? The one who the Daily Manc said Ah sould buy?
Benzema, Sir Alex?
Aye. Aye. Tha’ wee froggie fucker, go get me him an some turps, a fish cake and twenty ciggies.
Well… well… well… I’m sorry Sir Alex he doesn’t want to come here either.

On and on it goes. The tramp trying to remember famous footballer’s names that he’d seen in the paper. On and on the arse kisser has to calm him down. Rage after rage Fergie throws until he collapses into a drunken heap in the corner of his wrecked office, crying…
Ahh Fuck. Ah fuck. Tha’s tha… Ah’m fucked.

And as he falls into an alcoholic coma, he makes one last cry…
Is tha’ nae fucker tha’ wantstae come here and play fae me?

The arse kisser slips Owen’s brochure under The Tramps head, silently slips out of the office, dials his mobile, and…
Is that Micheal Owen…? Oh, hello Micheal. After consulting with our sports science department, medical department and other agencies, Sir Alex has asked me would you like to discuss joining us here at Old Trafford? Micheal? Micheal? Micheal?

When the Micheal stops squealing in excitment and chanting, “Here I go. Here I go. Here I go. Ingurlund, Ingurlaund, Ingurlund.” The chief arse kisser finally gets an answer…
I’m on me way. I’m getting in me helicopter an flyin the 30 odd mile to manchester from my stables immeadiately.

The chief arse kisser looks back into the office, sees the Tramp snoring, and drooling toilet duck from the side of his mouth onto Micheal’s brochure and says…
I think it would be better if you joined the master for breakfast at the Dog and Duck tomorrow morning… make that an early lunch.

He hangs up the phone but can still faintly hear Micheal singing in his stables 30 odd mile away…
“Here I go. Here I go. Here I go. Ingurlund, Ingurlaund, Ingurlund.”

And so why the fuck would I be bothered by any of that?

Fs: Were you a fly on the wall. I’m told by a “reliable source” that’s exactly what happened.

No KDLL Keegan was an entirely different kettle of fish. I can’t be arse going on about why. I’ve said enough for now, but I will always remember him in a red shirt with fondness.

Owen got a decent reception at Anfield, just not great like other returning hero’s. The Istanbull chants was more of a piss take, like the You should ?Have Stayed On Telly chants to Shearer. Nothing really bad in them.

And the Phantom Flan Flinger was some fucker on telly. He used to lurk around in the background saying nothing, just waiting his chance, waiting for someone to say something, then he’d jump out, twat them in the gob with a pie and leg it. He hasn’t been seen since the late 80′s but I reckon he’s surfaced in the blog.

Very funny post #190 FS.

BTW, the only thing that surprises me about the MO move is that he passed the fucking medical!

Fuckin hell Lurgie, for once I was being serious

Lurgankop: There are medicals and medicals. The only person who’s 100% healthy is one who hasn’t been properly examined. I doubt if his knees etc were really tested if the old tramp just wanted him at the theatre of pipe dreams to play half an hour in the odd soft game or two.

So who are we gonna sign? It’s been quiet on that front….

not one mach supporter I came across over the Weekend are happy with the Owen signing.

Hello there guys. As of now, there hav been many rumours linking us with D’Agostino and Gokhan Inler.

The press hav also been reporting that Masch has made a transfer request and Benitez is out to sign replacements for both Xabi and the Argentinian captain.

I am not sure why Rafa is targeting both these midfieldrs, playing for the same Italian club – Udinise.

Inler is not a very classy player, but still I cannot understand why Udinise are demanding a huge sum of 18m, while D’Agostino, who is quite a player is being negotiated for 7m?

These could be just rumours, but who knows? Masch and Xabi might be packing their bags for Spain.

And please stop these senseless discussions on Owen. It does not make any difference.

I hav got some good news as well. Yossi has signed a new contract with Liverpool. He is a very good player as we all know very well and could be a key to the title nxt season.

Terry of Chelsea is being tempted to join ManC by the Sheikhscum. I am not sure if I shld feel happy or bad.

Ribery is also planning to snub Manure and Chelsea for none other than Real.

There’s quite a lot of talk in Spain about Arjen Robben plus cash for Alonso. I know Rafa’s interested in the Flying Dutchman. I think he would be a great addition to our team and if Xabi’s got to go…? Also talk about a deal with Alonso,Robben and Schneider.

just seen the news on yossi,happy days think he’s gonna be instrumental for us this season and he’s got the makings of a LFC legend. Good lad Yossi.

Great post in 190 FS. P.S Watched transformers 2 last night theres this oul robot in it with an english accent and gives it loads about how things were different in his day, all i could picture was you lol think i’m spending to much time reading these blogs!!!

Delighted to see Benni has signed a new deal. Gotta say the last 3mths are one hell on damning indictment of Parry. Dont think I’ve ever seen so many reds contracts negotiated, extended and signed with such alacrity and discretion. Stevie, Nando, Dirk, Dagger, Benni, Darby, Spearing, and I’m surely forgetting some. Ffs Parry never renegotiated that many deals during his whole fucken tenure! Fair play Rafa, I salute you. Now convince our 2 want-away midfielders to stay another yr and I’ll go all Fatty on ya!

I don’t like Robben. He’s a sly c**t and he tends to go missing in the tough games.

Whoa! I hav read some recent rumours the press are spreading and am quite amazed at their ******* perceptions and assumptions. They hav been repoprting that Rafa is planning to offload Riera this summer. Is this for real? The guy had a good season last season, and has broken in Spain’s first lineup.

I am pissed off with these ******s.

Breaking news on Sly Sports News…
Micheal Owen has been injured on his first day at Old Traford.
Liverpool are bidding on a new Icelandic midfielder and winger.

And if you believe any of the rumours… you’d believe Owen has broken his wrist while signing a contract with The Tramp, and we will have Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy in our side next year.

You haven’t got it in you Dig.

Kop King check your emails. I think you’ve won the Nigerian Lottery

For more info. on Gokhan Inler. He plays for Udinise. He is a Switzerland international and plays in the mid-field. I don’t know his exact age but probably he’s around 24. Arsenal, RMad, Barca are all after him.

Also, Inter hav said that they hav received offers from Liverpool for Maicon. I am pretty happy abt it. Maicon is a very good defender. He also comes forward, delivers good crosses, can score goals. He’s strong and wld easily be able to cope up with the PL. Maybe Liverpool hav lost their interest in Richards.

@FS

I read all your posts. The Old trafford game was indeed won without Xabi and that makes it even more special. The point i am trying to make is we are not going to win the league with those famous victories. We will win only if we are more consistent throughout the season.

Lucas,Benny if given a starting role for the entire season will not be able to perform in the highest level. Loosing Masch,Xabi will make us :
1. A weaker 1st eleven.
2. A weaker squad.

Kieth talks about players who can replace Xabi. I am not denying that. But are we in a position to reinstate that position so quickly? I dont think so.

Your views are respect FS. Please dont misunderstand coz i tend to counter you a bit more often with little reasoning. I do it coz i feel somethings wrong in what u state in certain cases.

No Xabi to Real. No Masch to Barca. With the squad we have now we can win it. Thats my believe.

Thanks FS

FS: I don’t dislike Keegan, I just think KK is the same as Owen in the sense that they didn’t have any real affection for LFC. They have done what is best for them and I bear them no malice for it but now instead of being legends to me they are great players who once played for us. Wheras King Kenny, Ian Rush, Molby, Hansen, Cally, St John – to be mentioned with their names that is legend status.

Thanks for the transfer updates FS.

Good news that Mr Onion has been handed a contract extension. He certainly deserves it after his performances in the 2nd half of last season.

Now he just needs to reproduce it again next season!

Rafa’s one efficient fucker. It’s great

I know what you believe Somnath. Why can’t you understand what I said?

People will think I’m being a nasty aul fucker for saying that. I don’t care, because the fact is… I’m not.

You keep on repeating the same thing – we cannot win the title without these 2 players. But you still haven’t said why?

You also keep repeating the team I put up that didn’t include Xabi or Masch. Why don’t you understand what I actually said… “Here’s a team that could beat most teams in the Premiereship and that’s not including any additions Rafa would make if he is forced into selling Xabi and Masch.”

Not once did I say that is the team we would put out all season. Not once did I say we wouldn’t replace Xabi and/or Masch. And not once did I say it would be good to sell them.

Quite the opposite… I said it would be a terrible blow at this time in our development. That we would have to soldier on without them if it happened. I also said it was ridiculous to throw in the towel before a ball was kicked over something that still (Yes still) hasn’t happened.
And yes, I said we can still win the league.

You still haven’t said why we can’t.

But then like I predicted, I knew this would go on for days and days and days because this is exactly what happened last time you pulled me up over a statement I made… even though the statement was, while not complete truth, backed by all stats and history.

And so I’d like to finish it here by saying this… Why haven’t you told me why they can’t win the league?

Well, it’s because no one can – not Rafa, not mystic meg, not even some great soothe sayer – because there is no answer to it.

I firmly believe we can, and I will be there backing them as much as I can all season, willing them to win it.

And you are perfectly entitled to your opinion to. So can we leave it at that now. You are making me look like an aul nagging fish wife and I honestly don’t care if you think we can’t win anyway.

KDLL… you don’t have to explain yourself to me mate. As I said in me last post, I’m now starting to look like an aul nagging fish wife. But what am I supposed to do when people jump on anything I say and come out with exactly the opposite opinion and demand I explain what I’ve said. Fuck me even me bird doesn’t do that when I roll in after going on the missing list for a couple of days.

Anyway, I know what you mean about Keegan, but you was only a young boy at the time. So how are you supposed to have a different view on it.

Ask any old Kopite my age or older about Keegan and I’ll tell you what you’ll hear…
Keegan was an absolutely fantastic footballer who gave his absolute all for LFC. When he left he made it plain to all Liverpool fans that he intended to do so at the end of the season. And that season was, probably still is, the finest we ever had.

KK practically won us that first European Cup much like he fashioned his own career – with sheer grit, determination and force of will. He was one stubborn, single minded little bastard. And hard as nails. See if you can find any old video of him chinning Billy Bremner. It ws great.

But he was also, and still is, a very honourable man. None of his actions were taken for money. He left LFC because he wanted the new challenge. He really did want to become the best player in Europe and on a European stage. Which he did… winning the European player of the year twice. Not bad for a skint miner’s son who was told he’d never make it as a professional.

Look at Shankly. He loved him as did Paisley after him. Not because he was so good, but because he was a decent honest lad from hard working mining stock, just like them.

When he returned to England, he decided to help out old friends, Laury McMenemy and Mick Channon at Southampton. He done this and even dragged in old Liverpool players to also help out. Much like John Toshack did at Swansea. He could have went anywhere he wanted and earned mega bucks for it.

When he left them he chose to go to Newcastle, his boyhood club and do what he could… He didn’t do bad, almost single handedly dragging them out of the old second division.

I could go on and on. Believe me, Keegan is one of the good ones. True, not a legend like Dalglish to some but a legend non the less.

On top of all that he hates the Tramp and shows him up for the nasty aul batard he is. And anyone who does that is okay in my book.

PS… KDLL, I hope that didn’t seem condescending. It wasn’t meant to be.

Somnath, I wld like to remind you that this is a Liverpool blog. There is none here who wants Xabi and Masch to leave the club. Everybody knows that their departures wld only harm our title prospects. Atleast value our old supporters and their respect their views.

PS… Oh for a Keegan to be paired up with Nando now. Fuck me, if we had them 2 playing together we could sell them all barring Gerrard and Pepe and we’d still win the title by about 12 points.

FS, that post of yours (190) was as funny as fuck. I haven’t had alaugh as good as that for some time!

Believe it or not Steve, I like to have a laugh and usually that’s what I do when not pushed into defending what I’ve said.

Anyway, off to bed now, but just wanted to say this… The players started reporting back for training today. This is the time Rafa will sit with them and start sorting things out. So, we should get some sort of news about Masch soon.

As for Xabi, that could drag on for a wee bit yet. Him and the rest of the Spainish lads aren’t due back for training until July 20.

That’s the day before the team fly out for the games in Thailand and Singapore. Hopefully Rafa will have it sorted by then, but, if not, I’m sure it will come to a head out there. And hopefully, both him and Mascher will still be Liverpool players by the time we kick off the season.

We have no need to sell. Rafa must have at least 10 million still to spend, probably a bit more considering he’s raised about 4 and a half million on the sales of Anderson, Jack Hobbs and Sebastian Leto.

And if Barca and Real keep pushing for our players, or the players decide they want to leave, you can bet your bottom lip Rafa will force every penny he can from both clubs.

And yes, for the 3 millionth time, I’d prefer the players to stay. But I just can’t see the need for any doom and gloom. In fact, no matter what happens in the transfer stakes, I can’t wait for the season to start now and I’m looking forward to it with more confidence than I have in years.

But be warned, Wimbledon is over now and the hacks won’t have anything much to keep them busy so… get ready for a couple of weeks worth of real shit spreading.

Oh and Steve mate… Micheal Owen says all the talk of him being injury prone has hurt his feelings….

It’s expected to keep him out for at least 2 months.

Boom Tish…
Night Night

Donal, call me if you are in Bangkok. Hope you still have my mobile numebr. Cheers, mate!

You guys who want some opinion on MO should read this apt and interesting article from the Daily Manc.:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-1197406/Des-Kelly-Fergie.html

In case you still think it is in the Daily Manc and not wrth a read, here’s a snippet of what Des Kelly thinks of the Mancs signing MO: ” ….So I’m waiting for someone to explain the masterplan. Maybe Owen Hargreaves is lonely and needs company in the physiotherapist’s room? Maybe Sir Alex wants another horseracing aficionado to help him run through the Raceform?” Get the drift?

Knight thats actually quite refreshing. Why? Because normally Kelly is ripping Rafa asunder. At least this proves Kelly is an equal opportunity hatchet man! Or is it just that he’s pissed off cos his team has missed out on all the marquee names he listed and picked up what he percieves to be a spent force? Question to the blog: if Owen remains injury free for the season how many prem goals you guys think he’ll score? Your humble fellow blogger here says 16. Take it away lads….

Mighty mouse will always be a hero. I mean who other than perhaps rafa had the guts to shove it up taggart’s ass. I really hoped for a Newcastle title then. Alas, it was not to be.

As to owen, I think we are blessed in that we had the best years out of him. I completely agree with FS in that he is a luxury player. Keep him inside the box and his first touch and cool mind will give you some goals, but he doesn’t do anything else. The remaining ten will have to bust their ass to get the best out of owen, and he is not worth that. He is now worse than Berbatov in that sense.

No, I don’t really give a shite where MO goes.

As to digger’s question– it is moot, cos he will never be injury free!!

As for Michael Owen, I’ve never really liked him even in his best scoring days, simply because he showed more fire to play for England than Liverpool. So I was not too concerned that he left for Real, and was only mad that he left at such a cheap price, much like the McMoneyman case.

I couldn’t care less that he chose Newcastle over us after his nightmarish season in Madrid. It just sums this fellow: Full of himself and his England place. So he became just another former Liverpool player to me. A good player no doubt but not one I’ll identify as great for LFC.

The fact that Scum chose him made me chuckle a little, as it looks like a union between a desperate club and an even more desperate player. However, I still have a little fear that the old Michael Owen will show up and score crucial goals for the scums the way Solksjaer did for them in the past as a super sub. But I still think Chelski is a greater threat than the scum this season, reason being that the scum has lost their most important player together with another who scores crucial goals regularly.

Let’s hope our team goes from strength to strength and blow the competition away this season!!!

Alright Hyde, assuming he wont complete the season without injury, ballpark it for me, how many you think he’ll get?

@FS.
I completely agree about what you said about Kevin Keegan in #214. He was my hero and I was about 12 when he left for Hamburg. I was gutted but then King Kenny came down and the rest is history.

KK made a difference in all of the teams he played in and I am sure that the way he played would have been appreciated today.

It was great when he smacked Bremner in the Charity Shield andthey both got their marching orders. It was huge news back then! Fighting at Wembley!

Can’t wait for the start of the season.

Fellas, im planning to hit up singapore or thailand for one of the friendlies.

Have ticket info been released? (cant seem to find any) and what is the likelyhood of obtaining a ticket?

Knight great post and a great laugh, read the whole thing even the non football related quips. Very good indeed.

Digger, about 10 methinks. I reckon he will have an easier time in the CL.

Before Redneck began the Star Wars referencing on #162, I was already making one meself in #124, though of course Redneck’s referencing are better known, for only a die hard Star Wars geek would even recognize what the heck I’m referring to, lol.

burgerman at #161, is that the best you can come up with? It’s already been debated to death and well concluded that A GOOD LONG TERM PLAN FUCKING WORKS! Besides, back in 1996 there was no Chavski or Real Madrid millions to distort the market, so you’re already being unfair with such a flawed analogy with Wenger. And worse of all, you’re actually comparing Evans with Rafa (no disrespect to Evans the nice chap, but Rafa really is in a different level).

BTW, LMAO at FS’s post at #190. It’s probably closer to the truth than anyone would imagine.

FS: It didn’t sound condescending and I absolutley agree about Keegan with regards to him being a 100%er and a fabulous player for us. I was a young lad you’re right and that does have a bearing on perception. It’s just that Keegan for me is a Newcastle man that’s what I feel his first love is. With King Kenny however there is no doubt where his first love lies. I suppose what a player has achieved at the club coupled with his love for the club is what counts for me to someone being a legend. Greame Souness is a case in point. He was absolutley fantastic, a player who bossed games and he was my hero until his catastrophic misjudgement. However Keegan has never done anything like that and as you say is an honourable man. I did see video footage of him chinning Bremner it was class.

Digger: If Owen is fit he will score 18 goals.

FS: If I had been sure that Owen’s first love like Robbie Fowler or Carra was LFC then I would view him as a legend, I view him as a great player for us and 5 years on he’s more of an irrelevance as you say why should we care where he ply’s his trade?

IF (that is a big if) Owen is fit all season, I would give him 10-15 goals, but none against Liverpool, and only 5 at best against anti-football teams like Stoke, unless he learns from his Portuguese predecessor and dives, which considering the shirt he’ll be wearing, he’s more likely to get away with.

If (and hopefully) Torres is fit (provided Gerrard is fit as well), he’ll score 20+ easily, none from penalties.

Enough said.

Anfield, Liverpool 0 – Man Utd 0. Last minute of the game. The ball gets knocked long into the Liverpool box at The Kop end. LFC can’t clear. The ball bangs round and round in the box and ends up in the back of the net off Michael Owen’s, arse, chest, thigh, shin? But in it goes and there he is… running past the Liverpool fans to celebrate with his own players and fans.
He runs to The tramp on the bench. They hug like long lost father and son. Gary Neville runs over to hug Owen and they run back towards the Kop together, kissing Satan upon their chest.

Let’s face it we’re all terrified of that, and that the old Micheal Owen will turn up this season – score all sorts of goals for them, win them trophies, making the tramp look like a genius and Rafa like a fool.

Don’t worry. It’s not going to happen. He’ll play games and score goals. I reckon he’ll get at least 25 games in all competitions, maybe more coming on as sub, and get at least 9 goals.

But I think this is more important question you should ask yuourself, would you rather have Owen or Ronaldo joining them?

Sort of put’s it into perspective eh.

Please Lord, hurry up and make them kick off. I just don’t think I can take 39 more days of this.

Here’s one for you KDLL… Dalglish is/was a protestant Rangers fan and even they don’t hate him.

Now that’s a bloody miracle.

that would be an absolute disaster scenario fortunately it’s only going to happen in a parrallel universe if there is a space time wharp that’s meets up with a black hole.

LFC for the title this season!

funny you should say that FS I work with a Rangers fan so I just asked him and he said no he was a great player I’m just gutted he slipped through the net as he was on our books as a young lad. Miracles do happen.

Players we should hate but don’t. Can you lads think of any?

Well, let’s face it though mate, that’s the only real worry behind him joining them. And if it happens, then it would prove once and for all there is no God.

As I said earlier, it’s only 39 days to kick off. Wimbledon has finished. There’s only the Ashes to keep the hacks busy. So you can imagine what we’re going to have to suffer over the next few weeks until everything is tied up.

The kids went back into training yesterday. Some of the big names turn in today, Gerrard, Dirk, Yossi, etc. It’ll be good for Johnson to get in there and start learning the Liverpool Way. But more importantly Rafa will get to sit Mascher down and either give him a little cuddle or a kick up the arse, whatever works best.

But the Spanish lads don’t turn up until we leave for Thailand on the 21st. So that gives the press plenty of time to weave their mischief.

I just can’t wait to get it on and my only regret is that Man U won’t be the first game of the season with Wee Mickey in the side. It would be good put all the bollacks to bed straight away and it would be even nicer to have an easy game to start the season with.

KDLL… when I was a kid I loved Denis Law, and still think he’s an alright bloke.

And anyone who scores the goal that puts Man U into the second division is a god in my book

Nice post on Keegan FS and I have to agree with everything you said about him, also that you are a nagging fish wife at times (: Who wants to bet that Masch, Alonso and Arbie will be with us come the start of the season. Arbie might be a stretch and I also see we are bring in another highly rated youngster. 39 days is a long time and to be honest I have stopped reading the post about transfer speculation, 99% are pure shite and the rest are not much better.

My smily face did not work

Your smiley face never works you narky aul bastard.

Do you chaps know the only paper I’ve read for about 2 mths is the liverpool echo.

I didn’t even listen to talk s@#te for ages after the chav’s beat us. I’ve become immune to all the crap the papers spout.

Neville Southall – couldn’t hate him he looked like a binman but what a goalie.

You have a smiley face Keith? Lol! Just kidding mate! Some interesting goal tallys touted for Owen there lads, should provide a bit of craic and banter throughout the season to see where the roulette ball lands (green anyone?!) Maybe you can organize a t-shirt for the winner Ger?!

#232 Kinny Riddle did u watch the movie Fan Boys?

#239 KDLL i was about to name one player until I saw Fats naming Denis Law (#241). But what the heck. Djimi Traore anyone?

I see Rafa is challenging the youngsters, Pacheco etc who are training with the first team to show him what they can do. he says it’s up to them now he’s done his bit they have to do their’s. Excellent motivation from Rafa and further proof if we needed it that Rafa will give the youngsters a chance if they are good enough.

KDLL, Here’s a good un for you then…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqOxNspUPyE

Good lad FS, keep the humour coming!

Of this £10m or so Rafa has left to spend (perhaps a little more, as you say) who do you think we should be going for?

Silva would cost far more. Any ideas anyone?

That’s quite funny FS. owen having a bit of fun and big Nev giving it the old well done he’s 13. I had a little chuckle at that.

What about players we should love but hate?

George Best for me. The way they go on and on about him, the greatest player ever to pull on a shirt in the British Isles blah blah blah and the guy was finished at 27. Does my head in.

I put this up a couple of blogs ago Steve and it did seem to have some legs to it at the time…
Tugay from Boro and Turan from Galatasaray.

I’ve had allsorts of rumours put my way, but that’s the only I’ve had with any credibility to it. And I kept it to meself until it seemed it might be on the cards, especially when Bable went to talk to Galatasary. I couldn’t see him in Turkey. He likes the star life a bit too much. But with Rijkaard being the boss there, I thought it could come off and it gave the rumour even more credibiity.

I’ve heard loads since, not just the usual paper shite. But the best “In The Know” lad I have has now told me he hasn’t got a clue what’s going on, and I don’t think anyone outside the inner circle has… especially the press.

People will believe whatever they want, but I reckon Rafa is keeping his powder dry until he’s sorted everything out with Masch and Xabi. But then again, I can’t even really believe that because surely Rafa knows exactly what’s going on with them.

But to be honest, I’m just glad Rafa’s doing it like the old days – keeping schtum. And even if we end up with the worst scenario – losing Arbie, Masch and Alonso and signing no one – I know it won’t be down to Rafa.

So I suppose it all comes down to the usual answer… we’ll just have to wait and see.

I had no time for Best the man, but you had to admire his talent. He really was a great player.

I’ve hated Man U since I can remember. It’s sort of bred into us. But I’ve liked quite a few of their players…
Law, Styles, Jordan, Stapleton.

Well, that’s about it really and I wouldn’t have had one of them in an LFC shirt.

As for players people like but I hated, there’s loads, far too many to name. I couldn’t even bear Shearer. Everyone thought he was Mr. Clean Cut, even Freddy Sheperd called him Mary Poppins but I thought he was one sly, dirty, arrogant, snidey bastard.

Mind you, he could bag a goal

The main site is saying that Real Madrid say that Liverpool are pricing Xabi Alonso out of a move to Madrid………. FFS, what do the twats expect?

Here you are, Madrid have one of our top players on the cheap and don’t worry about us. Fuck them, I despise the bastards they wouldn’t know how to spell the word “loyalty” let alone understand what it means.

Do they think they are going to shell out £80m for Ladyboy and then get Xabi on the cheap? Fucking wankers!

Interesting that Madrid are saying Liverpool are pricing …. etc etc. Since when have Liverpool been trying to sell him to Madrid? Quite a sly way of creating a situation which need not even exist. It ties Xabi to Madrid and makes them look like innocents and not the malign schemers that they are.
Sets Liverpool up as pimps.
White may be their colour but that’s as far as it goes.

Yes that nauseating Argentinian windbag Jorge “shit-on-a-stick” Valdano is saying that we are making it difficult for them by asking 35 mil for Xabi. A bit on the cheap side if you ask me. Beginning to realise now that they’ve forked out too much on 2 attacking players when it was the rest of the team that needed sorting out first. Run out of credit have they, stupid self-righteous cunts! Rafa should now put in a cheeky offer for one of their players and then turn round and say how difficult RM are making it for us. I love the way Rafa’s handling all this, keeping his mouth shut, letting everyone else speculate and renewing early the contracts on players he values so we don’t get ripped off in the transfer market. Great, professional manager.

Exactly right there Vintino. They have realised, and hopefully a bit too late to do anything about it. And I read a story that Rafa and Valdano hate each other, proper can’t stand the sight of one another. So, I hope that fucks up their chances of robbing players off us even more, but my money’s on Rafa winning this one anyway.

Very good point Dougle, (258) and I’m even more impressed that you managed to make your point without swearing, unlike me! Sorry, I just hate the C**** so much.

The night we beat them 4-0 (should have been 7-0,) I gave my missus the best shagging I had ever given her, and she’s Spanish! (though not from Madrid)

@FS

There is nothing like dragging it for more days. I think you didnt get what i wanted to say. I mentioned it clearly why i feel we cant win wihtout them.

Rafa likes to play with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Such a formation requires two very good midfielders. Xabi Alonso to me has improved his defensive ability in addition to his fantastic passing ability. He takes control of the midfield and starts dictating the play. Mascherano is a genius when it comes to halt the oppositions progress or a counter attack.

I also mentioned that with the addition of Johnson and Insua improving,this 4-2-3-1 system will be even more effective. The full backs will go forward(This time with more ability courtesy Johnson) and support the front three.
Rafa knows that these two players form the core of his side along with the other match winners.

So as you can see i have explanied cleary(twice now)why i think we cant win it without them. If my word ‘cant’ is making too much of a negative sense..i will change it ‘Extremely difficult’.Hope that is ok with you.

Coming back to dragging this argument for days.. The fact is i am confident about what i am saying and i see your part of the argument as more of hope rather than substance. First you put up a lineup and tell this should win the title for us, then you say that you never told we wont get replacement. You also touch upon the fact that it will make it very difficult if we loose them. I dunno which side you are FS :)

You mentioned replacement.. i am requesting you not to make a point based on what might happen. Make your point based on what will happen and where we will stand if we loose them.

As a matter of fact, i have been saying always that i believe both will stay and this squad we have just with the addition of Johnson is capable of winning the title. I dont want to see Arbeloa leave too.

So FS, i hope i made myself clear. Please dont pick one or two phrases from my post and lambast me for my ‘poor’ english or compare my ‘Pathetic’ football knowledge with your ‘Almighty’ one.

@KOPKING

Here goes another of those sacred Liverpool fans who just cant imagine ‘OUTSIDERS’ making comments about Liverpool. We are pretty dumb creatures who cant think Football isnt it?
I think you are going a bit overboard sir. Please try to understand the context and then dive in with your comments. I didnt disrespect anyone. In fact have a look at some other post posted by your ‘mentor’, you will understand what exactly is happening.
Moreover i would like to request you not to chip in with your moral lectures. I am an adult & i know FS is a senior person and i respect him. That does not mean i will accept whatever he says. I have my points and i will continue to state them.

For your benefit:

I say we wont be able to win the title if we loose Xabi and Masch. FS says it will be extremely difficult but we can still win it. Why? No reason. Just believe.
Do i have a reason? Oh yes. Please read my post to FS above.

Can we get able replacements? FS says we can but does not specify the names. I say we cant coz time is too short, long term target in Barry gone.

Also, two new players playing at the heart of our formation ..its gonna be difficult to do everything right in their 1st season.

Now its for you to judge and comment mate.

Akka, please let me know if you are coming to Bangkok. I will get you into the Malaysian contigent of LFC fans!

Diggerno 10. You are right. Des Kelly also did us in when we signed up Johnson. But writing about MO just gave me the laughs. More than gerry’;s blog which is tops on hilarity and even FS!

Lord give me strength

I think Owen will bag 12 goals (all comps) for the Mancs this season.

I’m thinking he’ll be more of a Carling Cup/FA Cup/CL Group stages player for them to keep Shrek and Berabtov fresh for the big matches. When he’s healthy, he does seem to find the net with regularity.

2009 10 goals in 32 appearances (all comps)
2008 12 goals in 32 appearances
2007 0 goals in 3 appearances
2006 7 goals in 11 appearances
2005 14 goals in 39 appearances
2004 19 goals in 38 appearances
2003 30 goals in 54 appearances

I’m with FS; I think we all fear the little man scoring the big goal against us.

Vinotinto, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafa did just that and have a go at Real Madrid for being absolute cunts. Though he shows his class by simply keeping quiet about it and riling up that “shit on a stick” even more.

In fact, Rafa is usually more concerned about media trash generated from his home country than the usual venom created by the Scum media in England.

Maybe it has something to do with Spanish being his first language, he doesn’t bother to respond to the rubbish by Fleet Street hacks mainly because he doesn’t read papers in English. But Spanish papers I’m sure he reads some time to time.

After the 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid, he made no attempt in hiding his glee at rubbing it on Marca, the Real mouthpiece, for dissing Liverpool, especiall when one headline read “This is Anfield, so what?” The four goals promptly reminded them that “This is Anfield, so don’t be a dick.”

http://www.footballshirtculture.com/09/10-kits/liverpool-2009-2010-3rd-football-shirt-leaked.html

bit old news i know but for those who cant be arsed to wait till july 16th, heres the 09/10 european away top!

Aww man, I deleted the email my mate sent to me this morning.

The gist of the article was this…

Scum haven’t sold a single Owen shirt yet. Not one!
Not a single order for one either!!!

The signing of an EX-ex-ex-Liverpool player… Yet another mind-game, master-stroke brought to you by the voices in Slir Alex’s head?????

Somanth – just my tuppence worth on your point.

Xabi and Mascher are both under contract at Liverpool and both, I would imagine, have more than your average footballer’s respect for the club they are with.
So effectively Rafa has the whip hand here. They can’t go anywhere unless he says so, even if they want to, which neither has come out and said (a la “the greasy one” Ronaldo, last summer). Screw what the agents say because that could be about upping wages etc…
Very few of us want either to go, I think both yourself and FS are in agreement here. Your statement is that L’pool won’t win the EPL without them, (basically).
I agree it would be changing the set-up were they to go but it’s not like we would be going on to the field with only 9 players is it !

In my opinion Mascher did not, by his form of the previous season, have a particularly good season last year. All reasons have been discussed.

Also I think many points were dropped last year because we couldn’t score not because we couldn’t defend ergo if we had a more offensive, creative, cutting midfield with a different tempo to it then we may well win more of those type of games, (which are the vast majority in the EPL, from Arsenal down, with the odd exception, it’s get 10 men behind the ball fast).

Now who those players are and what formation they take… well thats Rafa’s job. I reckon that’s what he’s working on already. He has to have a plan B, if the lads do go, because that’s his job, his passion, and his obsession.

My bet is, even if they do stay, we might well see a little less of the usual suspects for all games. I think he has to find us a way to become sharper against the Stokes, Birminghams, Wigans, Evertons, Wolves, Villas, Man Citehs, Fulhams, you see where I’m going ?

Maybe it’s not enough to “control” a game, to play with a Xabi dictated passing rhythm, to have the backline and Mascher on defensive mode. Maybe we have to have more threat from our central midfielders (as well as the flankmen) and less predictability.

Note – I am not saying let them go, no for me. But I do think the “desiquilibrante” Benny O type we need more of.

Ok I hope Gerry doesn’t post another blog before you get to respond Somanth. what do you think ?

“We want someone who can channel the play and there aren’t many like that in the world.” Real Madrid on Alonso after moaning about 35 million.Now add he can score from his own half and that must mean Alonso is a very rare kind of player so i think Rafa should add another 10 mill, that would teach mr “shit on a stick” to shut the f*ck up the cheeky c*nt .
Remember Whiskey breath saying he’ll never deal with RM again after the slave was wanting to sign for them last year. maybe it was a drunken rage that he forgot about or maybe senility creeping in or both, either way he’s cracking up and his days are numbered .
YNWA

Im very impressed with rafa in the transfer market, more so with the youngsters coming to the club (future players). We need these players and it seems rafa is attracting the best of them. Dont forget in 3-5yras time when they are expected to develop, we will have limited transfer budget (most likely) especially if the stadium is being built.

Knight, ill let you know mate, not sure if i can get time off work just yet.

Aitch, I believe this is what you were referring to.

ttp://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=659544&sec=england&cc=4716

Not surprising, really. This is what you get for being Judas, even if you score goals for them.

Actually, comparing him to Judas Iscariot is a bit unfair to Judas, for even Judas must have hesitated when being coerced by the Romans into accepting the thirty pieces of silver, and eventually hung himself in shame.

This bastard on the other hand, says he “didn’t even give a second thought”, and probably has no concept of shame.

Kinny,
What I loved most about it was the fact that they tried to justify it by suggesting it was because they hadn’t issued him a number yet!
(laughed much!)

Seriously… how many Scum fans over the age of 10 will be buying an Owen shirt?

Lads can anyone tell me what prices are people paying for LFC tickets, in your pounds. Ta. I’ve been looking and the prices are all over the place. Ta. Lads.

Steve,

I hope yor wife dosn’t log in to kopblog, but I am please you took full advantage for the 4-0 v Real!

FS: Stop bottling it and respond to Somaththingy’s comments. I had a chuckle when I saw that comment and then saw your reponse underneath. Very self controlled I must say.

Steve: Good on yer. I reckon she’ll be in for a few more of where that came from this season. Just don’t go setting a standard you can’t keep up.

The Real Madrid club shop sold 2000 Ronaldo shirts in an hour.

LondonBarnes: Yes there’s a wave of euphoria at Real Madrid at the moment concerning the 180 mil Euros splashed out on 3 players. The wealthier supporters are buying new shirts to help fund the players’ purchase in accordance with Perez’s plans. I think there’s about 50 Euros profit on a shirt. If the club sells 100,000 shirts, a huge number, it would raise 5 mil Euros. The point I’m trying to make is that the investments RM are making on players are astronomic and all out of borrowed cash, unlike the splash Perez had on the galacticos which was funded by asset sales to the Madrid regional government. The defence, the main weakness last season, remains virtually untouched.

There is no room for any failure on or off the pitch whatsoever and in fact I believe they’re taking a huge risk in crisis hit Spain. It now appears that ‘shit-on-a-stick’ is beginning to get cold feet saying that Ribbery and Alonso are overpriced when in fact they’ve been both valued far more realistically than Ronaldo.

RM will face a huge challenge from an already awesome Barça at home, not to mention other top clubs in Europe who, like ourselves, are stronger than in the galacticos era. Maybe it’s just wishful-thinking on my part but I can see this all blowing up for RM. Of course I have also to be grateful to them for taking the mancs’ best player and I’ll be especially chuffed if they don’t get any of our best which is looking more likely now.

liverpoolecho.co.uk, Chris Mawinga a left back 18, has just signed for the Reds.Wenger was after him, so he may be decent.

Hey lads – perhaps LB in particular – anyone going to the first match of the season on Aug 15th against Spurs? I’m not 100% confirmed but looks like I may be in London Town and with a ticket in my sky rocket (albeit in the home end unfortunately)… could be up for a pint before/during/after the match, and some help sneaking into the away end!

Re-280. If both Wenger and Benitez rate Mawinga, he will be good.

Gaz, you’ll pay 37 quid upwards for tickets. Like I said, just contact me before the games you are going and I will do me best and it should’t cost you anymore than 40 quid. Will depend on what part of the ground the tickets are for.

Andy, I’ll be at the Spurs game.

KDLL: What’s the point mate. I just end up looking like a twat when I answer. And when I do answer one person the other thinks it’s aimed at them. There is no point… you can take a horse to water sort of thing.

And I said what would happen before it even got started… days and days and days of going over the same aul bollocks and nothing gets through.

Why telling me how Liverpool/Rafa like to play, as if I don’t fucking know anyway, is thought to be an explanation of why they can’t win the league is beyond me.

But I will say this… no one can explain why we can’t win the league. Like, how long is a piece of string, it’s a question with no answer.

You can give an opinion but there is no answer. But like I’ve said a million times now… why on earth anyone would want to throw in the towel over something that hasn’t happened, before a ball is even kicked is absolutely beyond my comprehension.

I’ve tried answering nicely, I’ve agreed that is not what we want to happen and I’ve also said it will make it a lot more difficult. What I won’t do is throw in the towel, and that’s not some daft rallying call. It’s fact… hopefully with them, but even with or without Xabi and Masch we can win the league this season.

And all I can say is… People can hand over the trophy right now if they like. I’m just glad I’m not in a fight with them as my only support.

it can be a bit tedious at times but educating the masses isn’t easy. I’m feeling more confident than I have for years that we will win he league. I always hoped we’d win but never felt confident like the old days. Now whoever we play I’m confident of a result against them and that’s down to rafa, so even if xabi and monter go why should we all throw in the towel. In fact nothings even happened yet. I think xabi and mash will be with us for 1 more season at least.

Well! Looks like Gerry’s computer has again been infected by another virus.

Can any one pls tell me when are the pre-season games going to start? I am missing the PL.

Chris Mawinga a left back 18, has just signed for the Reds.Benitez was after him, so he must be decent.
YNWA

Kopking read TIA homepage you’ll find the answer there.

It’s enough. I guess Messi doen’t hav any of his own business. He needs to mind his own work. The little ***h**e keeps commenting abt Masch day and night. Either the press hav been exagerrating his comments or he has gone nuts.

FS, would love to catch you for a pint on the day if you’re up for it. I’ll wait til I’ve got things confirmed at my end before trying to organise anything though. The bird I’ll be going with is a Spurs fan who works with them, so as I said unfortunately I’ll probably be stuck as the one red shirt in the home end.

FS you’re also of course right that there is no argument for why we can’t win the title without Xabi and Masch – there are only arguments as to why our chances are better with them in the team. And those “arguments” are pretty pointless because we all agree on the strengths they give us. What nobody knows is how we would fare without them, but as ever, all we can do is show up and support the team.

Less than a week til the team head to Asia for some pre-season matches, right? If there’s to be any new additions, it’d be nice for them to arrive in time for those matches…

Here’s all the info on the upcoming games…
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/tickets/info.htm

No problem Andy, just let me know if it comes off. You can’t miss me and the lads… I’m the skinny good looking one and one of the youngest on the firm. And honest, I’m not just saying that for a laugh. We’ll be the big fat old boys singing and carrying on like teenagers in the nearest pub.

As for Masch and Xabi… Sadly the Xabi saga could go on for a couple of weeks yet. Obviously there will be things going on behind the scenes, but he doesn’t return to training until July 19th. I think Mascher’s case should become clearer sometime this week. But who knows.

All I can say is, I have complete faith in Rafa to solve it all in the best possible way for the club. And no, that doesn’t mean I think they’ll both stay. It means exactly what it says… Rafa will make the best out of any possible scenario, whether that means hanging on to both players or cashing in for top dollar and bringing in replacements. And yes, I do know that time is against us in that regard.

Fuck me, I feel like I need to say… and that’s my summation, M’Lud.

@ dougle

Yeah as things stand now,Rafa seems to have the upper hand. I think its true, we wont go to the field with 9 players. My point is not to say that Xabi Alonso and Mascherano are the only reason why we can win the league. If they go, we just should forget winning it. Thats not my point.
What i am trying to say is if we are looking ourselves as the Champions of England next season, the need for a settled squad, more importantly the need for a settled midfield is an absolute must. In many of the matches when Manchester United didnt play well last season it was either because of their defense or the poor midfield performances.
Carrick, Anderson etc had many games where they just could not strike chord with the front players. For us, the midfield played in tandem with the attack and hence we got so many goals.

So all i am saying is, loosing two of our key players will hurt our chances to win the league next season. I never said that Liverpool are nothing without Xabi and Masch. In fact Liverpool made them what they are today. My senior friends FS,KopKing and KD are misunderstanding me. Its just that whoever comes as replacement(If at all Xabi or Masch leaves)wont be able to perform and have an impact in his first season.

I have posted once everyday and i always mention that i believe we wont sell either of the two. With each passing day my hope gets stronger.

Knight Sir, I might still be coming to Thailand. It’s not for definet but it’s more than a good possibility. I’ll know for sure with in the next couple of days by the latest.

There hasn’t been much information over here, all I know is it’s a 2 0′clock kick off in the national stadium. There isn’t even any ticket news over here. Any info you have will be more than helpful.

Oh and Digger I meant to say this earlier… do you know Flynn’s bar on Queen’s Boulevard?

I think that’s the name. I met a bluenose today who lives in Queens. Scouse lad, said that’s the Blue Boys bar in Queens.