Gerry,

Classic one here! Really made me laugh!

“He is a season ticket holder at Chelsea so he doesn’t have much interest in football, he also has an excellent track record in business and has a surname that rhymes with Houghton so he seems like a decent chap and for all of our sakes, I wish him well.”

It’s a good way to say “Your guess is as good as mine as to how our beloved club will go from now”.

I’m glad you come out to speak against these doom sayers in this blog.

YNWA

Torres will miss 6 weeks.
Sigh.

He is one real unlucky guy… seems to miss all the games with his old club, A.Madrid.

Gerry on the subject of false dawns remember this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/6323037.stm
Makes you sick doesnt it especially as they now want 4 times their investment back which to me is 4 X 0 = sweet FA and can we have the £8 million expenses back please.
218 million is what LFC paid for LFC they didn’t put a penny in.
In a perfect world Moores should have sold to the fans by instalments with the money going towards financing the stadium.
But anyway it feels like a step forward so lets hope for a quick sale to hopefully the right person or people.
But without 75,000 seats in a new stadium we will always remain dependent on debts or a sugardaddy to compete financially.

I dont think Torres will make any more appearances this season but if we make the final he’ll probably make the bench.
As for Athletico i think Ngogg will score he’s due a bit of luck for one thing and a goal will lift his confidence and Kuyt can always score important goals in Europe.
YNWA

Gerry, waiting for your new blogs now feels just as long as waiting for a league trophy these days. Still, it’s great to see one when it arrives.

After the Fulham game, I believe I’ve gone through all 5 stages of the Kübler-Ross model.

ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbler-Ross_model

Stage 1: The Beach Ball Incident

Stage 2: Anti-climatic Champions League exit due to untimely injuries and consecutive last minute goals

Stage 3: Bore draw with Man City in February

Stage 4: Birmingham game 2 weeks ago

Stage 5: Fulham last week

For the last 3 years, these Yank parasites have contributed NOTHING to the club but misery. If missing out on the cash cow of the CL is the trigger that has now compelled these two pricks to fuck off for good, then like Gerry, this is a price I would gladly pay for.

This season will be known to LFC historians as the “Beach Ball Season”, or “Murphy’s Season”, not named after Danny Murphy, but after Murphy in Murphy’s Law, where “Anything that can be fucked up has been fucked up spectacularly”.

ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy%27s_law

And now we have Torres injured. I feel for his frustration at him unable to have his homecoming. If he can make it in time for us or even Spain in the World Cup, then good for him.

Of course, these past few days, all the results have gone against us. There’s the Scum and their usual last minute luck against City, and then the Chavs become inconsistent. And of course, Arsenal being Arsenal, they hit the self-destruct button during mid-April. Maybe Arsenal fans should consider swapping managers with Villa and see what difference they’ll make. (Sarcasm fully intended)

Fair play to Broughton for being honest about him being a Chav fan. As long as he isn’t a Scum or Blueshite, I have no problem with him as the chairman as long as he doesn’t try anything stupid like Dumb and Dumber have done these past 3 years.

For all intents and purposes, we’re virtually now operated by RBS and Barclays Capital. Dumb and Dumber are still owners, but only in name now.

For the record, I do not expect Rafa to receive any substantial funding. Besides Jovanovich, the only new arrivals I can envision are those being slowly promoted from the Reserves and Academy (Pacheco, Ayala, Kelly, et al), as well as our returning loan players (Nemeth, et al). Having taken personal charge of the youth system, it’s only a matter of time before Rafa’s efforts in that department will bear fruit, though it may still be too soon for this summer.

At least our arrivals last year (Johnson, Hercules, Aquilani) and our current players will have got used with each other and gelled smoothly.

The hiring of one of Aussie Rules football’s top medical doctor might mean less injuries overall.

I read a good article somewhere how the Aussie Rules teams, in order to compensate for a salary cap and limited resources, have to ensure their players are as fit for as long as possible. Until Broughton finds us a REAL new owner, this should help in the short term.

Super stuff Gerry.

Yes Gerry we said goodbye to CL football after the game lst week.I was at the game and even though we had all the ball we didn`t seem to have a high enough tempo in our game to upset Fulham.They were well set up to be fair but we
didn`t drag them all over the shop like we know we could.Very frustrating afternoon.

Regarding the sale its a step in the right direction if nothing else.I wouldn`t blame you Gerry for being a tad sceptical about the off field situation.
I think Peter Hooton summed up the feeling amongst most reds when he said he was “cautiously optimistic”.

Rome i`m afraid Nando won`t wear a red shirt again this season.The final is three weeks away and Nando is out for 6.

Gerry,I guess at time of writing you hadn`t realised the Torres situation so a postponement of the game thursday won`t make a difference.Personally i don`t hope its postponed,i just threw out 130 for flights to the home leg the following week!

Going to separate my thoughts concerning missing out on CL in another post, as it’s rather long.

Ever since the CL allowed up to 4 clubs per league to participate in, the following 3 European clubs are well-known CL regulars that have missed out on the CL on the year specified with their relative final league position on said year.

Barcelona 2003 6th
Bayern Munich 2006 4th
AC Milan 2008 5th

Perhaps not a coincidence, before that perceived shocking loss of prestige, all three clubs had become complacent with CL football, and this got them into some soul searching. They had to make drastic changes to the team, with the board realizing they have to give the coaching staff whatever support they could to regain their elite status.

Barca brought in Ronaldinho and Eto’o in 2003, and ended up in runners-up in 2004 (edged out by Rafa’s Valencia), but they have laid the foundation for their league successes in 2005, 2006 and further glory in the CL, and so on, and so on.

Bayern brought in Bundesliga top scorer Miroslav Klose together with Luca Toni in 2006, and duly recaptured the Bundesliga in 2007, and regained their dominance in Germany. And now they have even knocked out the Scum and in sight of their 5th CL title to match our record.

Milan brought in Ronaldinho (who got bored with Barca) and Zambrotta from Barca and brought back Shevchenko from Chelski in 2008, they regained their CL spot by finishing 3rd with same points with Juve, but Juve had better 1-on-1 record, and Mourinho’s Inter was still too strong to break yet. It remains to be seen where Milan will go from here with Ancelotti now having joined Chelski.

The “star players” that the 3 clubs brought in after their lost of CL football could all have chosen to snub them in order to play CL football right away, but instead they chose to endure 1 year of UEFA Cup football. The main reason is these 3 clubs are all historically famous and still have certain appeal with fans and players globally.

A more closer example would be our very own Sami Hyypia, who joined us in 1999 despite knowing we only have UEFA Cup football to offer for then, but still abandoned CL football with Wilhelm II to help us. Such is the clout and appeal of Liverpool FC.

For those 3 clubs above, their prestigious history and the huge expectations that come with it became their burden that made them lost their way, but at the same time it is also this prestigiousness that allowed them to bounce back quicker than the Leeds’es and Monchengladbachs of Europe, who have become quickly forgotten.

I believe the same will apply to Liverpool FC, though on one very important condition: Money still talks to an extent on what kind of player will come, so it’s good that the two Yank pricks have decided to fuck off and find someone else who could do so.

Of course, Bayern and Barca compete in a league that doesn’t have much rivals if they really get serious about their commitment. Different story in England, where there’s the Scum, Chavs, Arsenal and City, with Spurs, Villa and Blueshite lurking outside.

Should Rafa finally gets the funds that he exactly wants, I do not expect Liverpool to immediately bulldoze their way like Bayern or Barca do, that would be too unrealistic as there’s at least two clubs that don’t seem to follow the rules of the market (City and Chavs).

What I want to see in this hypothetical improved off-pitch situation is a massive improvement in league position, at least good enough to ensure we return to CL football and stay there – i.e. what AC Milan are doing right now.

Trying to compete financially with City is well nigh impossible, they seem to possess the Philosopher’s Stone of Football Transfers, transmuting pounds from nothing.

Maybe we could try to match half of the Chav’s budget, as Abramovich seems to be getting bored with his plaything. But more realistically, we should be aiming to ensure we at least match the Scum (who are in worse financial shite than us) and Arsenal (who have always been miserly), as well as making sure insolent upstarts like Spurs and Villa do not outspend us.

In this new football financial order for the next few years at least:

City and Chavs will almost certainly be guaranteed CL spots.

That leaves us, Arsenal and the Scum fighting over the remaining two CL spots. If we finally get our act together, the Scum will become the weakest link in this. We should be aiming to shove them down the path to Eternal Damnation.

Outside the holy grail of the CL spots will be Spurs, Villa and our Little Neighbours attempting to pounce on anyone that has fallen. Though they’ll always have to contend for the Europa League unless they manage to find themselves another Sugar Daddy.

Kinny,well thought out post.

I think the premier leauge is substantially more competitive than any other league in Europe.So i don`t think the examples you`ve used stand up too much pal.

IMO its not as simple as that.Yes we can attract the best players but we`re missing one little ingredient…..Cash.

This is the situation as we stand.Now we don`t know what will happen during the summer so lets say hypothetically,Rafa gets say 50 million to spend.He buys 3 good quality players which sets us up nicely for next season.
Then yes i would be confident we could get our CL spot back.

The thing is,we have two more very serious contenders now for the top four.Man City and tottenhem hotspur.Man City will attract the best,money talks and if they qualify this year,i expect them to be challenging for the title next season.
Arsenal imo are in a fantasic position.They like us are short three or four players but the telling factor is off the field they`re well set up for the future.
The mancs,while at the moment are in financial trouble,won`t be down for too long.They bring in enough revenue to survive and if things did start to go tits up,there would be a que lining up to but them.
Spurs,well they have spent a lot of money in recent times and now its starting to pay dividends.I can see them qualifying for the CL next season.Although this could cost them in the premier league.
Villa and the Blueshite are on the outside looking in at the moment.Unless they both get serious investment i cannot envisige them breaking in.
MON gets backed well by learner but by all accounts they`ve made a significant loss last year to the tune of £46 so randy will be looking to draw back some cash.James milner probably being their most valueable asset at present.

Eveton as we stand,simply don`t have the money to make the quality signings to break in.

The summer is obviously key for us Kinny,a lot depends on who we bring in.We will have competition like never before but without european football to worry about,we could push on in the premier league.
One things for sure expectations will drop after this season,which can only be a good thing.

LFC are planning a road trip for the Athleti game.Just awaiting the go ahead from UEFA to finalise plans.
If they get the go ahead,they will have to leave hours after the game tonight.

How come a team in Europe have to play so many monday nights?

And before you think i`m shouting “conspirisy” digger i`m not.It just sounds illogical for a team in European competition to play on monday night.

Its probably TV calling the shots but can anyone tell me how many monday nights the mancs,chavs or arse palyed in this season??

“So i don`t think the examples you`ve used stand up too much pal.”

timmy, no disrespect mate, before dismissing my examples, I ALREADY SAID cash was the most important factor in my post:

“I believe the same will apply to Liverpool FC, though on one very important condition: Money still talks to an extent on what kind of player will come, so it’s good that the two Yank pricks have decided to fuck off and find someone else who could do so.”

Perhaps it was too long and you may have skipped this part, for that I apologize.

Anyway, like I said, until a new owner comes in with REAL CASH, my expectation for new arrivals will remain as that in my post #4: only Jovanovich, the promoted reserves and whatever bargains Rafa can get in the flea market.

Kinny my apoligise i haven`t woken up yet

Lads maybe alot of people havnt seen this, By that lieing ******* Kevin Mackenzie was on ITV Morning show yesterday morning..ITV showed a total lack of dispect to the families of Hillsborough and to its victims by letting this lying cnut on their show on the day of the 21st Anniversary.

I have emailed ITV (email address [email protected]) and complained about it too them..I got the usual shit back..But this is not on..

Please lads take a minute out of your day and email ITV dismaying your total lack of disgust.And dont settle for a automated response.

On another website this is some of the reponses we have been getting from ITV ,from fans who have emailed on..

Spread the word please..

Sorry lads,i took that from another site.He was on the day of the anniversary.

Gerry, I admire your stoicism. you have to realise that the team hasn’t given up anything to cheer about in the last two league games. Of course you’re going to hear complaints about tactics and such. We all support our team during the game, but surely there is room for criticism if we’re crap.

There are plenty of issues I have with the tactics and the squad that are all of the manager making. It’s nay-saying when you say, “how bad were we?”, when we actually were bad. There is no use in camping in the oppositions half, if we don’t have any bite.

Poor old Rafa and the Reds,no Fernando with him going under the surgeon’s knife again. I hope Rafa doesn’t use Ngog in Torres’s place.He is a good player but NOT as a striker IMHO.
This will be my last comment until next season when the future becomes much,much brighter for the Reds.
I have given up on this season and (if FS reads this-I will not go to see my sister in Southport and hence no footie tickets until September) if I don’t fall off my perch before then.
Our bad luck must change before that Gerry!
Tara . ……………….Jack.

I didn’t know about Torres being out for the season before writing that blog but best of luck in your recovery Nando.
Aiyic, I thought you knew me better than that mate. I have no problem with people saying the team played shite or questioning tactics etc, I often do that myself in these blogs and I think that as fans we are entitled to express such opinions.
But when I mention piss and vinegar from so-called supporters or similar such expressions, I am referring to the morons who ring up phone-ins or the keyboard heroes etc who only seem to turn up when we have a bad result so that they can repeat their sack Rafa mantra.
They seem to think that the manager is solely responsible for all of our woes and sacking him will be some kind of miracle cure to our problems. The thing is even if the club did sack Rafa and a new manager was installed, you know that if we don’t have immediate success these morons will be at it again within a matter of weeks or months. These are the kind of “supporters” that really get on my tits and that we would be much better off without but unfortunately they seem to be a fact of life in the modern game.
I’m glad you admire my stoicism, wish I knew what it was, kinda sounds like that Bulgarian guy who used to play for Barca.

Thats a new word for me,i thought he was trying to say “socialism” at first

Dont worry Jack i’m sure you’ll see us back on our perch,before you fall of your’s.
On the subject of this long road rail & air journey to Madrid is a bit much saying we play tonight but UEFA dont give a f*ck all the tickets have been sold wether the fans get their or not and the TV money as been paid.
As for these Anti-Rafa fans i argued with one the other day on TIA he slags Rafa for causing trouble by arguing and basically standing up to Parry,Owners,Media,Refs and Taggert.He also slates Rafa for disagree’ing with Souness,Redknap and Whelan who live and breathe Liverpool according to him.
The guys a F*CKING MORON and i really wish him and other like minded “Supporters” would f*ck off to the Bridge.

YNWA

I’ve said this before (and elsewhere) regarding Hicks. BETTER TO REMAIN SILENT AND BE THOUGHT A FOOL THAN OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT! Enough said about an idiot the size of Texas!

I admire your maturity and continued positivity Gerry; your steadfast love of this club regardless. Negativity from nattering nabobs on this site have been (confession) a turn off for me. Our fans are fully aware of Rafa’s constraints but will still join the uninformed media vultures to crucify the gaffer! That’s a true fan, right? I read an article in the Times talking about Scouse “tolerance for an underachieving manage”. Really? I don’t know then how overachievement is defined!

I still insist that we’re exactly where we are in the league, not higher or lower, just where we are. We will end up in the position we end up in, not higher or lower. Past results are just that – you can’t saw grain with water that’s gone down the drain.

It’s been a most enlightening season for this Kopite. 1) Better to be a two-man team than a one-man team! 2) With or without funding, we aren’t that far from MUFC, CFC or AFC. 3) AFC will always self-destruct at season’s end 4) John Terry can’t be trusted with anyone’s woman! 5) We’re in Europe and none our “more competitive” rivals are! 6) players WILL always want to wear the legendary red 7) Gary Neville is disgusting! Related to (7), a pic of Neville and Scholes kissing with eyes closed is puke-inducing! 9) Rafa IS class! 10) We’re so bad as a team that Torres snubs MUFC and CFC for Anfield! 11) if we’re so bad, what are Masche, Reina, Torres, Benayoun, et al doing at Anfield?

A step at a time, beginning with WHU tonight. We might still be the team to watch next season – yes, in the PL – if all goes well this summer. I can’t wait for tonight. Thanks for the continued inspiration Gerry.

Siempre es posible. YN(Ever)WA(Ever)!

Speaking of Terry, I think the reason for his recent erratic form is probably due to everyone denying him his regular supply of their wives for him to shag with after Bridge-gate.

The game against Wet Spam starts in an hour, and I’m completely calm, or rather, indifferent to it. Such is my resignation to fate now. For now, I would rather Rafa throw everything he has against our two games with Atletico.

Though resignation does not equal despair with next season, I must stress.

Pardon me for sounding sacrilege, but I will not mind losing to the Chavs if it means stopping the Scum winning no. 19.

But if they still manage to do it, they will find they will not have long to brag about, for they will soon be chased back, and then massively overtaken due to the following reasons:

1. Mr Ferguscum is getting old, and has no clear successor in sight.
2. Their debt is much bigger than ours, this will very soon impact on their spending
3. Rafa turned 50 on Thursday (same day as the Yanks announced they are selling), the exact same age that Ferguscum begun his hegemony over English football.

I’m going to do my optimist bit, which I really shouldn’t as it always seem to turn out for the worse when I do, BUT here goes anyway

This season is a write off, except for the Euro, and to be honest without Torres I think we will struggle, so I want to look forward to next season.

I don’t expect any investment next season but I do expect to see Milan Jovanovi? come in and us to have cover for Torres or the ability to play 4-4-2 if we want to

Torres will have his operation, get fit at the world cup and be raring to go when the season starts, we will not have the injury’s we had this season and Aquaman(time for my Arsene Impression) being fit for the start of the season will be like having a new player,Babel will finally get his head together and turn out to be the player we all know he can be and will rip up defences with blistering pace and great finishing,and Insua with a season under his belt will learn to defend better and will have more stamina to take him through

The club will not be sold before the season starts,but the players seeing the possibility of new owners will play with more optimism and confidence and as you all know when they do that we can beat anybody.

Rafa will introduce some youth players gradually into the set up and the next generation of Liverpool players will start to filter through giving us more confidence in the future.

I honestly believe that this has been the unluckiest season I have ever seen as a Liverpool supporter and the start we had against Tottenham when we slaughtered them and got beat, followed by massive injury lists and the Sunderland beach ball incidence put the players(particularly Gerrard) in a bad place and every time we picked ourselves up something else seemed to go wrong.

The talk of Rafa losing the dressing room was born out of some terrible performances(particularly Gerrard) and at times I did wonder whether it was the case, but I am convinced that he still has their confidence and the noises coming from the dressing room would seem to bear that out.

We may not win the league next year and Rafa will continue to be harrased by ignorant and inept journalists spouting the same old cliches but I do believe that we will see a rejuvinated Liverpool that we can be proud of again.

Red nose will continue to buy overpriced and largely poor players(although not as many given their finances) and will still be heavily reliant on Shrek and the Chavs will be a year older and if they are as bad next season as they are this I will not consider them as big a threat as the media seems to think they are.

On a closing note did anyone see the article that Lawrenson wrote in the Mirror accusing Rafa of being disrespectful to the Hillsborough familys. there is a thread at RAWK and probably one at TIA but I haven’t looked yet, a truly despicable piece of penmanship and the last nail in this failed pundits coffin as far as I am concerned

Time to watch the game, Ngog and Kuyt 2-0

Sorry I always forget and it is unforgivable, Great blog Gerry and thank you for giving us eternal optimists somewhere to vent our spleen

This is weird ive come here to find out the result as i didnt watch it so can someone save me from SSN or Talksh*te and tell me.
5year
Lawrenson = cunt
YNWA

Oh boy Gerry. That night shift does not seem like much fun at all. Good old celtic tiger Ireland.

I’m in the Rafa not getting any money worth talking about this summer camp so I fully expect us to be a more of the same level squad i.e not good enough to win the league but that is for June/July etc …

The best thing that could happen would be to lose the vampires. I really hope so.

By the way a bit of a stroll around Anfield tonight. Not much going on, 3-0 with a bunch of penalty claims ignored. Benny in good form again (at last), Ngog a nice volley and Special k wreaking havoc from set pieces.

Funny that, if there hadn’t been so much mayhem, gloom and negativity around you could say that 1.5ml for Sp k was a good bit of business for us. Nice one Rafa.

I am uplifted and Torres-less or not after a lovely road trip across europe I am confident we can manage some sort of a result on Thursday. As long as we score I think we’ll manage another final appearance.

Cheers Dougle lets hope for a similar result on Thursday.
YNWA

Rome
Its not a word I like to use, but in this case nothing else seems severe enough

Good result against West Ham, though I didn’t watch the game. The press is as usual saying we won a lousy team, but don’t forget they’ve been getting results in the last few games, with even Zola thinking of a historic Anfield victory.

I’m quietly confident of a good result in Madrid.

And lastly, Mark Lawrenson’s mouth stinks more than my shit.

YNWA.

Good blog, Gerry.
In all fairness we need to give Martin Broughton some time to see what he can do.
Great result against Hammers. One down three to go.

Good win against West Ham – didn’t see the game. Nice to see NGog get a goal, he’s been a bright light in a fairly dark and despressing season. However was disappointed (yet again) to see Aquilani didn’t play – was he injured?

Great blog Gerry – sorry to hear about your working woes – could be worse you could be stuck in Libya doing six day weeks

Stoicism – think its from Greek means that you dont piss and moan basically

Seen the match last night while it is true that West Ham didn’t really turn up – some of our football was good and Ngog took his goal well, happy for him as he got some stick in the last few games

As for the new Chairman – if he is working for a bank I wouldn’t be holding my breath for any funds to be made available until we get the new owners in which could take a while

Its a bit annoying having a advert constantly flashing mourinho’s face whilst trying to read the blog.Whats that all about

Ahhh..must have been a glimpse of hell rafamuffin

Good win last night.Watched it in the boozer so i seen it through the eyes of a pint glass.So i can`t analyse too much.

To me it looked like nothing more than a stroll in the park anyway.N`gog took his goal extremely well.Fair play to the lad.Might give him a much needed boost going into the last few games.

Seen that thread on Rawk Rome about Larow.The man has sunk to a new low using Hillsborough to have a go at Rafa.Bloody disgraceful,Rafa is one of the most dignified men there is.Lawro`s nothing but a bitter oul twat.

Whst is it with the former liverpool players?Lawro,whealan and wife beater collymore…

Pricks the lot of them,Pricks of the highest order.

Yeah Timmy, just been reading that thread. Apparently huge outcry which forced the Mirror to ‘take down’ the article – also goes to show that there is still plenty of support for our man Rafa! Just need the fucker (Lawro) to apologise now, but not holding my breath.

Maybe liverpools journey across europe could me made into a celebrity version of channel 4s the coach trip

Rafa could be the tour guide.And every evening the players could vote someone of the coach.And have to give a reason why.IE your shite/you dont get forward enough/your passing is dreadful/you couldn’t hit a cows arse with a banjo/i don’t like your hairstyle.That sort of thing

The final 16 could contest the match.Definitely something worth thinking about

My moneys on Lucas hitting the skids first given those criteria lol! I jest! I jest! He did get a haircut…..

IMHO Lawro is now a complete and utter cunt. I hate saying that about an ex-red, and a great player to boot, but that spout of shite was uncalled for. Pot and kettle comes to mind – read his biog where he complains about ex-player dissing the manager just to advance their careers – LOL.

The difference between Rafa and Lawro is that Lawro can only manage a good shite and Rafa has a proven managerial CV and I don’t want to look at the bog-roll for the other.

It’s just very disappointing for a great ex-red to stoop this low. Can this season get any worse?

How was the wine Digger?

Havent tried it yet Lurgan but have em memorized – cotes nuit and anything from Alsace right? Put away a shitload of Stella Friday night though!

Where was Micon going??

Delighted,hope Barca do them good and proper.

Can`t stand their lot and their manager.`65 will never be forgotten.

Even though i wasn`t even born

Just read liverpool may try to bring in Gary Cahill from Bolton for £12M – £15M.

Dunno how true it is but i would like to see more Brits in the Liverpool squad.

Have to admit when i first heard about the Jovanovic free transfer.

My first thought was Voronin.But having watched a load of clips(never 100% conclusive) he looks a much better player.

And if he does come to anfield he should be a tremendous asset(fingers crossed).

12 million? Seems stiffer than a porn dick to me rafamuffin.
Decent player an-all …but 12 million??

Have any of you read Dominick King’s travel blog/article on the Echo site?

Loved this comment…
“Just heard it is going to take Fulham 26 hours to get to their first UEFA Cup semi-final…
…never mind, eh? It’s taken Everton 132 years…
…and they’re still not there!”

I like the Everton jokes. The one where the dust chaos now being the cause of the Everton trophy cabinet being given a wipe was a classic one as well.

Barca just lost in Inter after their 1200 mile journey. Let’s hope we don’t suffer similar travel fatigue! The lads are in Paris now and hopefully the flight option is still on.

Jovanovic is the top scorer for a very impressive Serbian national side. I think we did very well to get him for nothing. His value may have gone up after the World Cup. More worryingly we have been linked to Lee from Bolton and Forlan who is not exactly young anymore. Ah well and we Are not even in silly season.

ttp://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/live-blog-the-longest-journey (add the letter h in front yourself)

Probably the most interesting thing to come out of this frustrating volcanic delay. In the past we’re only used to hearing Liverpool fans going on epic Euro journeys, now Rafa and the players have joined in the fun as well. Probably a good experience they can tell their grandkids about.

Seeing how Barca lost 1-3 after a long coach journey to Milan, I’m willing to tolerate any result as long as we have away goals. (Not that I want us to be thrashed 1-4 or 1-5, mind you. )

If we get a decent kitty this summer and are going to sign anybody I will like us to go for pacey, skillful wingers of the calibre of Arda Turan and Krasic. The Fiorentina players Vargas and Jotevic are exciting prospects as well.

What we desperately need though is a MF that is confident on the ball, has the speed of thought, can control the pace of the game and spray passes around. Lets pray Aquilani can play this role once/if he settles in.

Or how about a cheeky bid for Arteta! This player although injury proned is a class player who is almost identical to Alonso in the way he plays. Adding a decent set piece taker will not be bad either when Gerrard cannot be relied upon.

But seriously we cannot do without a McAllister, Hamann, Alonso type player.

If West Ham go down we should go in for Carlton Cole. He often gets over 10 goals a season, is built for the Prem and can be a good target man.

I would also like to see Krasic (mates with Jovanovic)or Turan at Liverpool. We defo need a skillful, tricky, pacy winger who can cross a ball. Robben would do – he has been brilliant for Bayern – but of course we could never afford him.
I saw a rumour (probably just that, a rumour) that we are ‘looking’ at Pienaar. Now I know a few of you might be throwing your toys right now because of that tackle on Masch, but he has been Everton’s player of the season. Loads of skill, good movement, good ‘killer’ pass and works his socks off. Scores goals to boot, and his contract expires at the end of the season. Oh, and he is my neck of the woods as well
Yokohama, I can definetly see Aqua playing that role as well, sitting in the midfield & spraying the ball around. This has (obviously) been a settling in period for him, and hopefully he will be 100% fit & used to the PL pace. Defo has enough class & skill for that role.
The season is not even over & here I am dreaming of possible signings in the summer!

I did see the Pienaar link as well. It is not as if we have never signed Everton players before. Abel Xavier and Nick Barmby spring to mind in recent memory. Why let United plunder Everton and Spurs and Chelsea with West Ham. Signing Premier League proven players can ensure they will have a better chance of settling in. If we are serious about pushing on in the league we need a mixture of foreign and Prem prven talent to bolster the squad.

I heard that Bellamy maybe back on the market and can go for cheap. He may not be a tactical fit but he has proven himslf at City this season and was more effective than say a certain Robinho. A Cham

A Champions League and title aspiring team needs options. Having Torres, Ngog as well as maybe a Bellamy, Carlton Cole, Jones or Bent type target men and perhaps another out of favour British Isles/Irish player like Ireland can help no end when Gerrard or/and Aquilani are injured.

If we can get 1 or 2 of Krasic, Turan, Pienaar and another reliable leftback in addition to 1or 2 players mentioned above
we will be very strong. Now bring on the cash.

I think Rafa definitely needs cash to bring in new talents to augment the team. Talents can be debated, depending on the amount available. Not to do so would be disastrous for next season, IMHO.

…errr…. where exactly do you think this “cash” is going to be coming from.

The Yanks aren’t going to put any in…. since you know…they HAVEN’T since their arrival!!!

The club is up for sale… so any cash for players is gonna have to come from player sales… nothing new there!
…or a new owner.

I can’t see any sale being done and dusted before the end of June at the very earliest.. (and that’s best case scenario!) …especially since Broughton has essentially been handed a 6 month extention fron June to find a buyer!
That would indicate to me that there is no definitive buyer waiting to pounce… or why ask for the extention?

Honestly lads, I really am normally a very “always look on the bright side of life” kinda bloke, but reality is reality… and I just don’t see a whole lot of optimism in the summer.

I’d imagine incoming players this summer will be of the basement bargain variety … and the result of season long wheeling and dealing on Rafa’s part… like the 12 month Arda Turan saga for instance!

But you never know… maybe Broughton whacks Hicks up-side of his head, yells “snap out of it” in his best Cher impersonation, and DIC (or similar) step back in and do a deal in the neighborhood of 350million… all wrapped up by end of June?
But I won’t be holding my breath…

And here’s the thing to keep in mind for the upcoming sale saga!

Any propective owner has essentially 3 options…

1. They can hand G&H a wad of cash, purchase Kop Holdings and all its debts and (don’t laugh) assets (okay, never mind, go ahead and laugh) … meaning G&H walk away with all of the sale price… and the new owners take over the club AS-IS in its current structure and financial condition.

2. They can pay RBS the 270 million, thereby solving Kop Holdings and G&H walk with anything negotiated over that amount (though there is still a rather dubiously reported debt amount, possibly as high as 100 million, that may be held by the club itself?) so this scenario is all but clear.

3. They split the difference, buying Kop Holdings, paying down a portion of its debt, but still maintaining some, and G&H walk with any remaining funds, over debt, from the negotiated price.

I would imagine the “club” would be restructured somehow to suit the new owners, regardless of which of the 3 options they opt for.

How much would be left over from any such purchase… or provided to… Rafa for players?

How much needs to be provided towards “the stadium project” to insure that it moves ahead? (remember G&H have taken UK and EURO funds for the “stadium development” that would need to be repaid should significant progress not be made on actually building the fuckin thing!)

Guys i was watching my road to istanbul dvd earlier and i just want to confirm that i am not the only one who think this.

Was djimi traore the worst player to ever play for liverpool in the modern era?

I’ve racked my brains and i can’t think of a worst player ever.

Bjorn Tore Kvarme
Sean Dundee
Glyn Hysen
El Hadji Diouf
Scales… the list goes on…

… but yeah… Djimi was pretty fuckin laughably aweful!

Depends what you mean in modern era Rafamuffin.How far back 5,10 years?

I`d say recently Vorinin or a little further back i`d say Eric Miere.

Was hosemi ant better than Djimi?

I think he was bad,but he`ll always be remembered for that OG at burnley.

Would you put scales in that category Aitch?Maybe thats a little harsh.Didn`t he get a couple of English caps playing for us?
That defense around that time was pretty bad as a unit.Outside rob jones no other defender of that era will have legendry status.

Evans three at the back….scales,ruddock,Babb,hardly AC milan(of same era) material

By modern era say seventies onwards.All the players mentioned has some good points and some where internationals.

But traore couldn’t defend or attack or pass accurately i seriously could never understand why he was signed he was crap at everything.

Blind faith made me delude myself that he was one for the future i thought on the training ground he must play like thuram we just didn’t see it.

I think he is officially our worst player ever

Gerard Houllier hang your head in shame

Wellin the seventies and eighties none of the players would fit into our worst ever player category simply because they wouldn`t have got in them squads.

We`ve had a few contenders in the 90`s as Aithch listed above like dundee he wasn`t even related to a footballer.

Think Djimi would be far off but nor worst ever.Mine would be Miere or dundee.

Lads stumbled across this there its a fake Twitter account by Lucas leaving comments on the whats happening in the trip.

Very funny boys take a butchers at this http://twitter.com/LucasLeiva21

Read from bottom up,priceless

How about Cheroux lad,s (dont know if the spelling is right) according to Houlier he was the next Zidane,
i think it was the fuckin big feet, baggy pants and the red nose that hampered him on the pitch.

Hands off Djimi…he cleared the ball off the line in extra-time…we wouldn’t have Number 5 without him. He’ll always have a place in my heart for that. (Never mind that he set up their opener after 1 minute!)

And Bruno’s (only?) goal against Chelsea…

Love the Lucas tweets…

Loving Rafa’s press conference in the buffet car…

Feelin a whole lotta love tonight!

Jimmy Carter was about as useful as tits on a bull and he was given the #7 shirt by King Kenny.

Never rated Speedie either but would not class him in the same bracket as Traore.

Diao is always worthy of a mention IMHO.

Djimi Traore has very good tackling skills. I remember many good last ditch tackles by him.

His main problem, I think. is his positioning and sense of where the ball is. And for that reason, he has to do last ditch tackles so many times that often land our hearts

I think Cheyrou has got to be a worse player than Traore, and at the moment can’t think of anyone else now who’s worse.

What about the likes of Nicky Tanner, Paul Stewart, Julian Dicks and Torben Piecnic?

Oh fuck LB… that’s funny. I was actually thnking of Julian Dicks when I wrote Scales, just wrote the wrong name, but it was him I was thinking of.
And yeah Torben Piecnick was fuckin useless too.

I forgot to add Salif Diao, who has to give everyone mentioned a fuckin good run for the money too. (probably number 2 to Djimi with Dundee pressing for the Bronze)

…but I’d say Djimi does have to be the worst.

Some of the others may have had bad “careers” with us, but some of them could at least play football…
…Djimi? … Well, I have no idea what the fuck it was he was actually doing for 90 minutes, but I know you couldn’t honestly call it, playing football!

That Lucas Twitter is awesome !

What about Abel Xavier

Sadly Skeat… the question is… in and of itself… the answer!

In terms of value for money, Aquilani (based on his first season), is one of the worst signings ever.Cheyrou scored a few, including a winner @ the shed.He scored 15 goals for Lille in his final season.Diouf scored twice on his debut.Cisse received a lot of unnecessary stick, wouldn’t mind having him back for the remaining games.
Have to be positive tonight,lack of pace @ the back copuld be a problem, so bring Agger in beside Kryg and stick Carra on the left.Hope Kuyt and Ngog startupfront.1 goal in his last 13 games is an abymsal return.Away goal is paramount.

Bernard Diomede, Jean-Marc Ferri, Eric Myer, Kromkamp, Le Talec?

A mate of mine got a replica kit with Cherou on the back. To this day he gets slaughtered for that decision.

They are supposedly weak (prone to errors) at the back as well, and are a very ‘forward-orientated’ side according to Balague. So maybe Babel should start ie. hit them on the counter. Oh well, I trust Rafa to get his tactics right. Looking forward to a good flowing game with a 1-2 win for the Reds.
Anyone know the official kick-off time? Getting conflicting info from Supersport, Sly Sport etc.

That Lucas twitter was hilarious.

How about a worst 11.

charles intanjde
bjorne kvarme
piechniek
babb
tanner
diouf
diao
cheroux
jimmy carter
sean dundee

Now I fancy that team to take a beating from anyone and I mean anyone.

No Djimi Ken?! 2 words: Rigobert. Song. And no ‘worst ever’ list is complete without Paul Stewart, Istvan Kozma (what was Souness smoking?!) and Mark Kennedy. Ahhh…..good times Graeme, good times. Come back Rafa! All is forgiven! (well, maybe not everything, but some of those tulips put Dossena, Gonzalez, Kromkamp etc in a different light!)

A Koblog XI might beat that lot, Kenny.

Rigobert Song wasn’t all that bad.

The Souness signings were fucking dreadful. Sell Peter Beardsley to Everton and buy Paul Stewart. Nice one.

Kenny, I think that Julian Dicks definetly has to be in the side: just the fact that he was a complete & utter nutter to boot, should see him sneak in?

subs: thanks for the ideas digger

Song, Kozma and I forgot about Frode Kippe another Souness spot.

Looking back at that worst 11 had me in a cold sweat. I’ll have a nightmare tonight (as opposed to the nightmares they had on the pich) that we are putting that 11 out against the dirty mancs in a title decider for number ’19′ in front of the Kkop and Souness is the manager.

Right, so who is gonna get the goals tonight? Stevie G? Kuyt? Ngog? Pepe?

How about The Long Pork Sausage… aka Pellegrino! I know he didnt play that many games but there was one particular one (cant remember who against) where i actually thought the guy was gonna take a fucking heart attack on the pitch he was that bolloxed! I remember my mate ringing me saying exactly what i was thinking & we were pissing ourselves laughing he was that bad.

Cant see the back four changing tonight. Obviously it will be Monster and Lucas in centre mid. Stevie will probably play in behind the striker. So who’s gonna play out wide and up front? I’d like to see Kuyt because he has more strength than Eggnog. And if Madrid have plenty of possession then we are gonna need an out ball. Someone to hold the ball up so its doesnt come straight back at us and put us under more pressure. That leaves the 2 wide positions. Riera is out of the equation and MaxiPad is ineligible. That doesnt leave much of a choice. Babel on one side and BennyOnion the other? Wouldnt be surprised though to see Eggnog up front and Kuyt wide right with Benny on the left. Giving Rafa’s propensity to pick teams based on the oppositions strengths and weaknesses he might think we need some extra cover wide right with Reyes playing for Madrid on that side. Also Simao plays on the left for them. So our team selection might be set up to negate the threat of these two. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are that it will be a bloody difficult match for us and as watching fans we are in for 90 mins of torture. I don’t think I’ll be enjoying too much of the action. Just hoping we get a decent result.

Sorry but that Torres injury has totally put paid to my enthusiasm for our remaining matches. That’s why I’m enjoying talking about totally irrelevant but quite hilarious nonsense such as Julian Dicks and Paul Stewart’s LFC career.

What about Glen Hysen? I believe he was signed by Dalglish.

There’s a Big Sam twitter to partner the Lucas one…worth a chuckle too.

Click on his Big Fat Face (TM)

Crikey LB, never figured you for a wrist-slitter!
You haven’t been shopping for women’s shirts in extra large size at the same establishments as Digger have you?

A 1-man team I hear you say?
Nonsense.
Lucas to score with his head, Ngog with his arse and Kyrgiakos to cock one in from 6 yards!

To quote Eric Idle: “cheer up y’ole bugger. Worse things ‘appen at sea you know.”

This might not be too bad of a result but it has to be said. Away from home we are fucking useless.

LB,
apart from useless buddy they were fuckin gutless,
the commentator said after 5 or 10 mins that there is a complete lack of understanding with some of the Liverpool players, how many times did they try to pass to Glenda and Kuyt on the line only to give a throw in time after number, but basically yeah fuckin useless.

Played shite it has to be said.Not often i agree with a co-commentator but Graham Taylor on five hit the nail on the head when he said we passed the ball too slow altogether and didn`t get any tempo into our game.

That said Athletico aren`t all that either but they will have Aguero back so he`ll be a threat.

We should have enough to turn the result around at Anfield if we can get the lace bouncing we can make it a special night.

Still optimistic as ever

Another opportunity ti impress was lost tonight. Rafa was not that happy with the performance either. Was he doing ball boy with 15 mins to go to get them to up the tempo?

Time for nipple clamps and some shock treatment for a few if not all of them.

Still in with a good shout at Anfield though. The only question is how do we win the final when it’s not at home!

Yeah, not the worst result, but yet another poor performance.
And an opportunity missed really in that Atletico were from from great too!
The goal was fuckin laughable.

Masch, JC, Kyrgiakos and Pepe (aside from the goal, which I felt he could have done better with, but a couple of good saves to keep it respectable) were the only ones who had decent games.
The rest were shite.

piffle

thats our performance not anyone in here before it kicks off

So nobody bothered about Benny’s goal not been given.
But yes it was crap and Athletico are a bunch of pussy divers every time someone came close they was on the floor and were basically ref’ing the game by stopping the game when no foul was given
if its not a foul book them for diving or wasting time.
Anybody see Soto getting booked for been kicked in the head or Johnson getting punched on the arm both in front of those useless extra officials who dont seem to know their jobs
PS That Lucas Twitter is funny
YNWA

Yeah rome, he was just about on-side, so it should have stood.
But I thought the ref did a decent job of playing on for the most part.
There were a few things he should have given, or even “dealt with” but Atleti were hardly Benfica, who really were aweful.
My fave part of the game was when Johnson near put Simao into the fuckin stands. Clean through on the ball too… fuckin beaut of a tackle!

But there’s no one to blame but the 11 (+3) lads in black today.
Pretty piss-poor outing for what was their only chance of silverware this season!
Couldn’t find each other with simple passes, had trouble both controlling and holding onto the ball.
I’ll concede the pitch looked fuckin aweful, but still… what’s up with not getting the basics right for 90 minutes?
…been the story of our season!

We were doing a very good job of stopping them and winning the ball off them, but then just proceeded to constantly and repeatedly waste that posession.

TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE TEAM’S EPIC TRIP TO MADRID FORCED ONTO THEM BY UEFA AND AN ICELANDIC VOLCANO (which everyone seems to have forgotten or ignored), this was a result I was prepared to accept.

Not wanting to defend their performance, though the players’ sloppiness and tiredness is evident. Pepe’s incredible save from Simao’s equally incredible shot to keep the deficit at one goal could just prove vital for our second leg in Anfield.

Anfield will need to once again demonstrate its ability to become the team’s 12th man in Euro matches.

If it’s a hard fought 1-0 win that leads us to penalties, so be it. The role of the crowd will be crucial.

We’ve achieved this against the Chavs before on our way to the CL final in 2007 on the back of a 1-0 away deficit before. Not to mention Pepe is an expert in penalty shootouts. PLUS we achieved this without Torres back then. So BRING IT ON!

Speaking of the Chavs, I would ask Rafa to just concentrate on the Atletico game. If we end up getting battered by Chelski because of tired legs, I wouldn’t blame him. Especially so if the Chavs winning means denying the Scum their no. 19.

BTW, last night’s ref has got to be the best ref so far this season. Benny’s offside goal notwithstanding, he doesn’t buy any of the nonsensical dives by Reyes, and overall allows the game to flow smoothly.

Once again, this highlights the quality of Euro refs overall (that Benfica away one was the exception rather than the norm) compared to the ineptitude of English refs (Manc Webb, Dowd, Red-card Atkinson and Cunt Mason). Let us hope the remaining Euro refs will be the same.

Now that Portsmouth have been denied their UEFA license, that means 7th place is now enough for us to qualify for European football next season.

From this website
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/access2010.html
http://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/calendar2010.html

5th place – 4th Qualifying Round (mid-Aug)
6th place – 4th Qual. Round (mid-Aug)
7th place – 3rd Qual. Round (late-Jul)

(Portsmouth’s FA Cup slot would have seen them start in the 4th Qual, while 6th would have started in the 3rd Qual)

HOWEVER, if we win the Europa League, we will be the only team that gets a bye straight into the Group Stage, which STARTS IN SEPTEMBER.

So rather than reserve strength for a measly league position in order to have a season that starts less than a month after the World Cup finishes, we might as well go all out in the 2nd leg next week and try and win the fucking damn thing.

So screw the Burnley and Chav games.

PS We would be doing our Little Neighbours a huge favour as well if we win the cup and they finish 8th, for then they will qualify as well.

(My first post didn’t seem to go through. Luckily I’ve saved it in a notepad, so here it is again)

Now that Portsmouth have been denied their UEFA license, that means 7th place is now enough for us to qualify for European football next season.

From this website (add the h in front)

ttp://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/access2010.html

ttp://www.xs4all.nl/~kassiesa/bert/uefa/calendar2010.html

5th place – 4th Qualifying Round (mid-Aug)
6th place – 4th Qual. Round (mid-Aug)
7th place – 3rd Qual. Round (late-Jul)

(Portsmouth’s FA Cup slot would have seen them start in the 4th Qual, while 6th would have started in the 3rd Qual)

HOWEVER, if we win the Europa League, we will be the only team that gets a bye straight into the Group Stage, which STARTS IN SEPTEMBER.

So rather than reserve strength for a measly league position in order to have a season that starts less than a month after the World Cup finishes, we might as well go all out in the 2nd leg next week and try and win the fucking damn thing.

So screw the Burnley and Chav games.

PS We would be doing our Little Neighbours a huge favour as well if we win the cup and they finish 8th, for then they will qualify as well.

Kinny, Disappointing but understandable result due to the 24 hours travelling time for the team.
I think we can nick it again at Anfield.

However, I still think we should also go for full points in the PL. Bring on Burnley, Chelski and Hull City.

Our away performances this season have been woeful both domestically and in Europe not just against Atletico this time around. Something needs to be addressed! It would be a travesty if we lose in the final because it isn’t at Anfield.

It is a relief that we can afford to finish in 7th but while it is still mathematically possible to get the 4th place position, it is even more likely that we can miss out all together with our little in form neighbours breathing down our backs. If we lose against Atletico and get overtaken by the bitters that would really be the final nail in the coffin to what has truly been one of the worst seasons ever in living memory. We our quickly becoming a laughing stock now with Burnley players barking over a hopeful upset this weekend which is no surprise given our toothless performances and dire away form.

Regarding my earlier posts on the players we should go for and the transfer budget, Aitch is right about the unlikelyhood of any real money and nobody including Rafa knowing much about his summer kitty. Broughton has come out and said there will be money available for Rafa to spend though, regardless of our ownership problems (just how much there will be available is still a mystery). Hopefully by offloading some deadwood or out of favour players we will be able to sign 1 or 2 players with the quality that can help us push on together with some useful bargains either from Pompey, Hull, Burnely or even West Spam should they be relegated. We really missed a trick not signing Nzogbia and Krankjaer when they were going on the cheap, or even Bale a couple of seasons back. If Burnley, Hull and Portsmouth get relegated there probably won’t be at lot of talent other than Zaki and Belhadj. The rumours are persisting with Pienaar but I doubt he will go for as cheap as 10 million and it will take him putting in a transfer request for the deal to not become as protracted as the Barry saga.

According to the Italian press, Juventus has extended their offer to Rafa until the end of the season and are also supposedly preparing the recruiting of his playing staff. The source is the Italian Gazette so I am not for one reading too much into it but I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Rafa will weigh up his options this summer should the ownership issues drag on and the transfer budget being insufficient.

ttp://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Report-Juventus-begin-to-hire-backroom-staff-for-Liverpool-boss-Benitez/7266/

ttp://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/37245/Italian_press_Juve_begin_recruiting_of_Benitezs_backroom_staff.aspx

Anyway here’s hoping for some progress on the ownership front and a convincing win this weekend.

Just to add my 2 cents worth to what some of you have already said: I thought the ref was pretty good (especially for a Frenchy). Did you see him admonish Reyes & one of their other players for ‘diving’, or making a meal out of a foul i.e. he gave them the free-kick on a couple of occassions, but then went up to them & told them to ‘stop doing a Drogba’? I think – with the Anfield support – we should take them in the return leg, IF we start moving the ball around a bit better (ala Benfica at home). Also noticed a brilliant ball from Lucas to Stevie in the 1st half
Couldn’t undertsand Carra having a rant at The Greek after the goal – he could have/should have cleared the ball himself as well!

cos the greek was ball watching should have been closer to ur man. well done lucas the professional footballer on being able to slot one decent pass through.

Agreed, Soto was about 3m in front of his man, but Carra should have slapped himself in the face as well. Oh well, not that the Greek would have understood anything he said.
Thought Lucas had one of his worst games, but was still the only Red to make a decent pass the whole evening – unless you want to count Dirk’s ‘shot/pass’?
Getting pissed off with all these fecking press headlines re Citeh want Torres. Bullshit, my head & heart tells me, but it would still be nice for Nando to tell everyone to fuck off! Wouldn’t really be in his best interests, but still…

were gonna get this all summer raf. just ignore it if he goes he goes life goes on and no player or manager is bigger than the club. interesting times ahead. now that europe is all but secured this season we had better not go and beat the chavs but the way this season has gone dont be surprised if aqua starts with stevie in the middle and two up front and we spank them 3-0 to hand the mancs no 19

Well we better hope Spurs beat United

i know its like asking would you like the clap or syphilis. eh neither thanks but whats worse the chavs winning a fourth title or that shower well ye know i mean.

That way we can kill 2 birds with a stone. United will miss out on the title and Citeh can be brought down to earth again hopefully with more players ignoring them this summer. Spurs will get 4th place but not make it past the group stage like Evertons cameo appearance and Liverpool can count this season as a blip and go on a good run letting Arsenal worry about the 4th spot. Lets think positively.

Happy to come 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th this season. I’ve let it go. It’s a blip. It’s been shit.

I’ve gone from thinking we’ll finally win number 19 to being happy not to get relegated. Talk about lowered expectations!

What I want for next year is a focus on the Premiership title. If that means going out of the Europa, the Carling and the FA Cup in September then so be it. I feel we’re being handed a real opportunity to keep a focus without the playing-two-games-a-week nonsense that our squad simply cannot handle without significant investment.

However, if we get a sugar-daddy by June, then sack that…I want it all! All, I tell you!!!

I still love the idea of playing a weakened side against Chelsea to even up the 3 points that McCarthy gifted utd earlier. Heh, heh…the flack Rafa’d get from the utd loving Press!

As shambolic as the performances V Wolves, Wigan and Pompey.A kopblog 10 would of beaten the Reds last night!.Jono, ball watching, Aquilani, heading back to Rome-worse than P Stewart!.No width, thrust or creativity.Was Roy Evans any worse than this?.

Don’t normally like this site, but I thought that this was an interesting read – plus it made me feel a bit better in general.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/04/23/1891539/liverpool-comment-why-manchester-citys-wooing-of-fernando-torres-?
And just to remind ourselves of quotes from 2 of our biggest assets (excl. Stevie, Masch, Pepe):
“This is my team, my city and Anfield is my pitch.” Fernando Torres
“My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal. I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying” – Rafa Benitez
Lastly, looking forward(ish) to the day that Burger posts a comment after a win & good display – I know they have been rare this season, but so has Burger’s positivity!

Our away form has been a disgrace since the pre season friendlies. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if we dont beat Burnley or Hull. I actually hope we lose to Chelsea because we’ll have fuck all to play for while the chavs can stop the dirty mancs winning the title.

guinness I think you hit the wrong keys in 102 when you typed…
“cos the greek was ball watching should have been closer to ur man. well done lucas the professional footballer on being able to slot one decent pass through.”

I think you meant to type…
“well done Stevie G. the professional footballer on being able to slot one decent pass through.”

Yeah LB, but our home form hasn’t been that stellar.

…and I agree, field 11 fringe players v. Chavs, as the Kop chants “you lost the league on Merseyside” (like we did in 92! Hehhe!) and take whatever fine the Manc lovin Prem Bosses throw our way!

I know most of us feel 4th is a bridge too far at the moment but still hope. I looked at the fixtures and feel there is a possibility. Yes Tottenham has won 2 games that you wouldn’t normally expect them to win so why cant they lose 2 games that you wouldn’t normally expect them to lose and same goes for the other 2 clubs villa and city. They haven’t set the world alight else they wouldn’t be in this scrap. Keep hoping things could turn around.

I’d pick the following team against Chelsea:

Cavalieri
Darby
Ayala
Irwin
Insua
El Zhar
Plessis
Lucas
Bruna
Pacheco
Amoo

Mc Red,Talk of titles man has to go out the window.Even if we don`t have european football next term,what makes you think we can challenge for the title?

With the six month extension i reckon the club will not be sold by the end of the summer therefore its business as usual on the transfer front.Wheal and deal hope to find a gem and maybe promote the likes of Pacheco and Ayala to more first team footy.

Outside that we`ll need imo to be very kucky with injuries to even be in the fight for fourth.

Don`t want to be a doom and gloom monger here but its just the reality we face at the moment.

The rumour mill in Liverpool is doing overload in last couple of dayS.Apparentley there is a bombshell to be dropped in the rag on sunday about Stevie Gerrards personal life.Meant to be huge ala the JT scandal.

pshenava
Love your optimism but us getting 4th means G&H walk off with the CL money and the Mancs win no19
and the fact a couple of manc fans i know have started saying we have a chance of 4th. Funny considering they always say we wont even as recently as 2 weeks ago,got to laugh at them.
Ideal end to the season
We win the euro and get rid of the Yanks and their 200mill debt.
Mancs win the League cup and still got their Yanks and a 600 mill debt.
Which will be nice
YNWA

Obviousaly don’t quote me, but the rumour you may be talking abou Stevie is the use of anti-depressent.
I’ve heard this quite a bit

maybe Aitch maybe but perhaps not, stevie has given us all and this club over ten years of class, pure class so if he has a bad run of form here and there so what! he’s still is and always will be a legend, up there with kenny as the best the club has ever had.
so no matter what happens or whats being said the man has paid his dues and we should stick by him even if he were to leave this summer so what, i know i had some of the greatest days and nights of my life thanks to that mans sweet right boot. The “huyton hammer”-liverpool legend.
YNWA

Absolutely no doubt about any of that gunness.
I don’t understand why the fact that he’s been monumental in the past excuses what can only be described as his worst season in a red shirt since his arrival as a schoolboy, though?

I’m not grinding an axe. I don’t have an agenda against the boy. And I’d expect him to return to form next season…
…but I’m always amused when I read people slagging this player and that for substandard performances, but SG has been given a free pass this season.

I’ve read a few items that essentially bottl-rocketed Carragher for a poor performance on Thursday… when he practically held the defense together by himself.
Whereas SG’s contribution at the other end of the pitch was glossed over as just “SG not up to his usual standard”.

There is definitely more than meets the eye going on with him this season.
Hey, maybe his bird is shagging Lucas… or Aquilani?
Or both of them… on a youtube video!!!

Timmy when we have time to prepare a game we’re virtually unbeatable. Even with this squad.

When we have thick and fast games things start to get mighty unpredictable.

I imagine Rafa has a way of getting his ideas across on the training pitch that needs time (or they are [too] complicated ideas).

That’s why I think with no ‘distractions’ we could do it. But I take your point and no more “we can do it” rubbish ’til we’ve done it.

I do remember the old days though and every year we were written off until the inevitable.

Sigh…

I thought the rumour was Alex and Stevie were going to split???

Antidepressants sounds like a joke the utd fans would cook up…

Being a post-hog but:

for those follwoing the Lucas twitter. Pure gold. Don’t forget the Fat Sam twitter from the same page:

“Get in – my vintage WWF Legion of Doom spiky shoulderpads have arrived from the internet. Lets see that cunt in Homebase throw me out now.”

LB, I’d play Ngog up front. That should help Chelsea!

Who will create the chances and score the goals tomorrow?.Kuyt has scored 1 in his last 14 games, away form is relegation standard.1-0 @ best.

I agree with you Aitch. There has of course been several rumours floating about regarding Gerrard and why he has underperformed so greatly this season. Most of it is probably nonsense, but to underperform for such a long time must be caused by some personal issues off the pitch. Some say he’s expected to leave the club during the summer, because his wife’s been cheating on him amongst other things, but at least I’m not going to buy into transfer rumours just yet.

Hope its all the usual silly rumour shite thats being going on in the past in liverpool but if its true it would explain his form.That said he deserves our support no matter what happens.

I think the approach to tomorrows game will depend a lot on what happens today.If city and spurs lose then we can ut some pressure on them by winning tommorrow.
I`d like to take the moral high ground and say i want us to beat chelsea next week but to be totally honest i wouldn`t mind not winning if it cost the scum the title.

“hey, maybe his bird is shagging Lucas… or Aquilani?
Or both of them… on a youtube video!!!”:-)

like the “sunderland scores” video on totallynsfw.com!!liam lawerence shaming the nation the divil.

but yea he’s been gash all year i hope the rumors aren’t true poor dude if they are might send him abroad alright but i doubt it with kids here and all that.

Lads,
Gerrard and his missus have split up that is a fact,
she is supposed to be knocking around with a derby county player, and he is back with mum & dad,
also here in Huyton is the very strong rumour that the Benitz household is up for sale and the local golf club Mrs B is a member of say’s she has not re-newed her membership for next year, but as i say apart from SG and his missus splitting the rest is rumour but very strong rumour just the same.
mancs with another 2 penalties, the ref’s are doing everything in their power to get them No 19.

That should read “he is back with his mum ” as his parents have split up.
Oh and by the way he has the kids.

Ok time to dream…….

Tomo..Villa 2-2 Birmingham Chelsea 4-0 stoke Burnley 1-4 Liverpool

Next saturday..City 1-1 Villa Spurs 1-1 bolton

Sunday Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea Sunderland 1-1 Manu

Wednesday City 0-0 Spurs

Last day… Man u 2-0 stoke West ham 0-1 City Villa 2-0 blackburn

Burnley 1-1 Spurs Hull 0 liverpool 4 Chelsea 3-1 wigan

Final Table sees chelsea winning the title,with man u coming in second only on goal difference(poor sods) arsenal finish third with the reds taking advantage of many draws from their rivals to pip spurs and city to fourth on goal difference.

As i said,nice to dream….

Redman – very sorry to hear that about Stevie. That sucks. Could really be the reason he’s been such a miserable git all season. I would not wish that on anyone.

Timmy ! Spurs 1 -1 Bolton, Burnley 1 – 1 Spurs …
Dream on Buddy !!!!

I`ll keep dreaming….

TT, I’ll take that prediction. Cheers, mate.
Tonight must score as many goals and keep a clean sheet. Burnley 0-LFC4.

OMG, how funny is the Lucas Twitter! My personal favourite:

1 & a half hour journey. Aquilani decided to stand up for the whole duration of the way back. He cant face another 90 minutes sitting down.
Jamie shouted, “Sit down Aqua lad, you’ll do yourself an injury” and roared with laughter. At least he’s kept his sense of humour.

Timmytorres,

I like your dreams. Let’s hope they come true!

Interesting Lineup:
Reina
Johnson, Carragher, Ayala, Agger,
Maxi, Mascherano, Aquilani, Babel,
Gerrard, Kuyt.

Subs: Cavalieri, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco

Come on you Reds!

Team news……

Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Ayala, Agger, Mascherano, Aquilani, Maxi, Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco.

Positive result today.Positives were seeing the young guys getting a run (ayala and pacheco).Aquallini looking sharp i hope Rafa starts with him on thursday night.
Four goals obviously and made up for stevie too his form hasn`t been the best this season so that will give him a lift.Also chuffed Maxi broke his duck so all in all good days work.

Bring on Athleti thurs Anfield will be rocking.I`m heading over.Can`t wait now.

Loved hearing the guys singing the Maxi song (to the tune of ‘Heartbeat’)…

Don’t mention Babel, don’t mention Babel…

Why not mention Babel? I didn’t see the game….

Cheslea have scored 91 goals in the league this season.

Make that 93 LB.

93 fucking goals. We’ve scored 61.

Last season we got 43 points at Anfield. This season we have 42 points at Anfield with one game left.

Last season we got 43 points away. This season we have 20.

Last season we scored 41 goals at Anfield. This season we have scored 43 goals at home with a game left.

Last season we scored 36 goals away. This season we’ve scored 18.

We actually improved our home form this season. This amazed me. What is also amazing is how awful our away performances have been.

LB I said don’t mention Babel!!!

No actually, he frustrates the hell out of me. So much potential.

But, he did score a goal (hit straight at the keeper in a one-on-one that went in off his hand) so fair do’s to the lad.

Shocking to see the difference in home/away form this season…

Well done Liverpool! First away win in a long time. Hopefully Gerrard is back to his former self again. Bursting runs into the box, crunching tackles, World Class shooting and a high tempo passing between him, Aquilani,Benyoun and Maxi! Superb stuff.

Aquilani had an excellent game as well! There were some misplaced passes and perhaps not as much tracking back as Rafa would have wanted but his flick ons, one touch passing and that well executed through pass to Maxi was World Class. The tempo of play speeds up through him due to his speed of thought and overall awareness. Even that well left dummy slip for Gerrard’s 2nd goal created space.

I thought Ayala apart from that one dodgy clearance was very composed for a 19 year old as well. It is clear he has the pace, height and grit cut out for the 1st team.

Babel made a couple of contributions and was a threat as always when he used his pace or cut inside. Lets pray he can pull off one of his mid range shots and actually score with one of them on Thursday. Benayoun has made a difference again and assuming Kuyt returns from his minor calf strain, I hope Rafa can find room for Aquilani and Benayoun in particular to start. We may require 3 goals against Atletico to see the tie through.

With Aguero back I think we will need three, sadly. Don’t know if we’ve got that in our locker at the moment. Hate to think of going out because of Benny’s wrongly disallowed goal.

The Lucas Twitter page has been shut down. That’s terrible. First time I’ve ever followed anyone on Twitter.

We will have to come up with 3 goals if we concede but at home we have been doing well shutting teams out and comin up with he goals with or without Torres. Stevie was in a rich vein of form so hopefully he can come up with similar magic this Thursday.

Mr red,every man and his dog said we couldn`t score three at the bridge in the CL quarter final last year and we did.

With Kuyt out and Ngog dodgey we are left with no recognisable striker.

We`ll have to wait and see.

Will the Reds have any saturday games next season?.Decent performance yesterday,even seventh spot isn’t guarantted.If Barc and Madrid win their remaining games, they will finish on 99 and 98 points!.

Great result yesterday and hopefully 4th place is still up for grabs on the last day of the season. Only seen the highlights but Burnley seemed to have quite a few half-chances. Difference was that we took ours.

Any news on dagger? It seems he was carrying a knock when he was taken off? We’ll need Kuyt as well since Maxi can’t play on Thursday – BTW, what another good piece of wheeling and dealing from Rafa. Not bad at all for a million or so quid, if it even was that.

Please give the lads some credit, and more importantly, encouragement. Everybody knows how bad our away form is this season, and the 4-0 win will do their confidence much good, especially without our world class top striker.

This is the time to support our beloved team, and I’m glad they’ve taken their chances, unlike the games against Birmingham & Fulham.

Hopefully, they’ll continue to take chances and play well.

Not sure who is dissing the lads in here axchoice.

PFA team of the season.Always good for a laugh.But the inclusion of Darren Fletcher danm well nearly made me cry.

Pepe Reina`s omission is astonishing also and to be fair Malouda and Fat frank wete in with a shout too.

Not that i`d lose any sleep or anything.

Rafa for manager of the year:)

quality from aquaman! delighted to watch a rare 90mins from him and, as yokohama said before, his speed of thought, one-touch passing, little flicks and general awareness really gave us an extra buzz. i thought he looked one step ahead of the rest of the team today, and looked like a real team player, orchestrating attacks. torres would love playing with him in the hole with stevie coming from deeper. the question remains, why the fuck haven’t we seen more of him?!

even if we don’t get any money to spend in the summer, i really think there’s reason for optimism if aqua, stevie, torres, yossi, kuyt and johnson can strike up an attacking understanding and stay fit. lucas and masch can alternate in front of the defense, and hopefully skrtl and agger can forge a solid partnership at the back.
can’t wait for next season already!

Well, we now actually have the best goal difference of the four clubs chasing 4th place.

So, if let’s say LFC are one of 3 clubs finishing on, let’s say…… 68 points?

I know, I know. I’m dreaming and it ain’t happening!

It aint Happening Steve. I don’t think we deserve 4th to be honest. It will paper over the cracks. After the draws against Birmingham and Fulham I wrote it off. Spurs deserve it by beating Arsenal and Chelsea when it mattered. They will give Bolton a beating on Saturday and that will be that. They have Burnley last game of the season. That’ll be a Tennis score.

If we somehow stumbled into fourth place LB despite our shite season we have have deserved to.

As you said yourself enough times,the league table dosent lie.

You might think spurs deserve it and if they do it they will but if they throw it away against Bolton and Burnley,then beating Arsenal and chelsea in the space of four days will have count for nothing.

Thats true Timmy. I cant really argue with that. Lets just say I reckon we’ll be finishing 6th at best.

Ya to be realistic we`d do well to finish 6th LB.

If Spurs beat Bolton, we’re fucked. That much I will concede. But it’s a funny, funny old game.

Let’s not give up entirely just yet, eh?

The harsh truth is that none of the teams competing (and I use that term loosely) for 4th really “deserve” it.
They’ve all had chances to secure it and all have not seized them.
Spurs 2 wins were “a good late charge” at best, but they sure pissed away points agains teams they should have beaten … just like Us, Citeh and Villa.

As for our result against Burnley… well it was just that. A result, but hardly a performance to be beating our chests over. We struggled for 46 minutes, then bagged a nice jammy deflection to ease the nerves/tension and force their defense to loosen up a bit.
Failure by them to capitalize on half-a-dozen clear chances to get back in it, allowed us to capitalize on a loose ball, which Stevie has regularly been putting into the stands this season…. Thank fuck… he hit it inch perfect this time!
And even after that, they carved a few chances that were easier to score than miss.

And Sambo, not to pick on you lad, but I think that performance showed exactly why Aquilani hasn’t played more.
The lad is a talent to be sure and I reckon he’s gonna be awesome next season… but he does need to learn and quickly, that he’s no longer in Italy, where refs give you a free kick if you get someone’s garlic breath on you!
He goes down easier than a 5 quid whore in Chelsea!

…but he does add something to the team… and when they’re all fit and firing and in a better mental space next season… this very same squad just might be a joy to watch and have us all scratching our heads about why this season we’ve been so poor.

Maxi hit the bar in his previous 3 games… but scored this time… and Babel, who’s been shanking efforts (and frankly had a very poor 90 minutes) managed to just about squeeze it past the Beast this time.
Small margins of error!

On another note though:
What the fuck is the deal with the Prem considering letting Citeh “loan” a goalkeeper for the last 3 games?
They weren’t letting us loan a striker when Torres got injured and we only had Ngog as back-up, so if they didn’t think to bring in cover in January, then fuck them!

Sambo

I said in post 20#
That I think there is cause for optimism next season.
This season has been extraordinary in its pitfalls and I believe that the ownership thing is responsible for a lot of the lack of confidence and piss poor performances on the pitch, Aquaman has shown in his limited appearances that when fully fit and more aware of what is required in the premiership that he can be a star player for us.
Babel although not setting the world alight has changed his attitude and seems willing to try to learn and work hard and I think he will be far more valuable to us next season.
The youth players are starting to get a few minutes on the pitch here and there and gives some hope for an improvement in squad depth and I think some players Ngog and Insua for instance will have learnt a great deal from the adversity of the present campaign.
Maxi has proven once again that not only is Rafa not bad in the transfer stakes but at times can be downright inspired, £1.5 million for Christ sakes

The big minus in my opinion this season has been Stevie Gerrard’s performances for us, and I don’t want to belabour this point but to have one of your star players play as if he had lead in his boots all season is a major problem, now this is not an attack on the man, in some ways the opposite as it shows that without a firing on all cylinders Gerrard we are a much poorer team and I am aware that some of our greatest triumphs in recent years are down to his determination, spirit and ability to pull our fat out of the fire, BUT it is none the less a fact that he has been by his standards atrocious.
The reasons for this, I have no idea, possibly injury, possibly personal or possibly the whole thing with the bastard Yanks has affected him more than most, but there have been definite signs that he is starting to come back to his old self .
There may not be money for next season although Broughton says there will be but if the injury’s are better next season I can see us competing much better even with the present squad.

I don’t want to talk about how well we can do but I think it is reasonable to say that we can compete again.

Lets put this Annus horribilis of a season behind us(after we win the Euro cup) and have some hope for next year

Good post Aitch #165. Whoever fucks up the least between now and May 9th will get fourth place! Simples.

And I know I’m clutching at straws suggesting that we could still get fourth guys, and I know it’s the hope that kills you off in the end. Let’s just dream a little more while it’s still possible, eh?

Well Spurs have their highest points total in 25 years. I record they will get 7 more points which would be a total of 71 which would be a good achievement in my opinion. I think they would be “deserving” of 4th in that situation.

If Chelsea get maximum points from their 2 games they’ll win the title with 86 points. The same amount of points we amassed last season.

Typo – I reckon not I record!

Lad’s,
my post (129) i said “Benitez has his house up for sale” is a load of cack, my wife’s brother goes to the same gym as Phil Thompson and he asked him was it true, Thommo started laughing and said, ” how can he sell something he rents”,
apparently he rents a luxury apartment for him and Montse, having said that i did’nt get my info from the papers, one of those ” a friend of a friend whose dog has a flea my sister went out with”.

aitch, not having a go mate, but your logic that aquilani hasn’t been played much because he’s not in tune with the more physical english game makes absolutely no sense at all. how can a player get used to a new league if he’s always on the bench? yeah, he goes down a bit easy, but he showed so many nice touches that surely it’s worth giving him the time on the pitch to toughen up and get up to speed with it. he’s not going to learn that in training is he?

Good news redman 170.

just musing about the week to come. We play Thursday night and then Sunday vs the Chavs. I reckon this Atleti game is gonna be Rafa’s priority. (My opinion !).

I will be very interested to see who lines up for us on Sunday if we do pull off another Anfield night of Glory (in honour of TimmyTorres being there).

IF we won the Europa that means we are straight into the group stages next year. I know it’s no big deal but it’s a competition we should cruise to the knockout stages in and it keeps our hand in Europe if nothing else.
It will also be another notch on Rafa’s belt and that on the back of THIS season of pure misery would be quite something.
I think he wants it. I also think it might be very relevent to him staying at Anfield. All credit to him putting the best foot and all that, but, all we have is a tiny miniscule chance of 4th.
5th or 7th … who cares? It does not matter.

I dislike Chelsea, they are scurvy, scabby, moneygrabbing whores. I dislke Manure as much so there ain’t no joy in beating one to hand the title to the other nor the opposite for me.
If I had to choose an outcome for ‘Pool on Sunday it would be to beat Chelsea though. Your own honour is more important than anything. If it means Utd win the title then so be it. It ain’t necessarily so tho’. Remember Blackburn.

So we go for broke on Thursday. Actually the situation is slightly different on Sunday because Chavski also need a win. Delighted to see them putting 7 past Stoke. They ain’t gonna get an inch easy come Sunday tho’. Rafa could put out the players wives and together with the 40,000 willing them on they’d give them a better game than Stoke did.

You know having a season of utter Sh*t like we’ve all had to put up with only makes redemption (even minimal) all the sweeter.

It could be a great week if the teams pull together with the supporters.

4th may be past us (I think) but honour and a trophy shot await.

Steve,

I like your optimism, clutching straws etc. I’m joining you in that

Sambo, I don’t necessarily have a problem with that logic, but I do think it ignores the fact he’s been recovering from injury (a series of injuries from his time in Serie A to be precise.)

Honestly, I don’t see how anyone can view his performances so far and NOT think “fuck me, this lads gonna give SG a run for his money next season!”
But that’s just it… next season. He has shown some sublime touches… but also given the ball away twice as often.

Aqua clearly has a brain for the game… but getting the right balance betweeen putting your foot on the ball and controlling the game, while maintaining the required pace of Prem demands… takes a bit of time to figure out… hell even Xabi didn’t get it right in every one of his seasons with us.

In my opinion, Aqua needed handling with kid gloves, and a slow introduction to the rigors… which is exactly what Rafa has done this season.
Now a nice summer of therapy and Next season… “Unleash the Hounds!”

http://twitter.com/SotoKyrgiakos

Soto Twitter, not as funny as the Lucas one but it will probably be shut down soon too.

Guys,

I think we have already qualified for the Europa next season, because with 2 games remaining, we are 7 points ahead of Everton. We will qualify even if we just manage to finish in the 7th place due to Portsmouth being condemned to administration, meaning they will forfeit their place in Europa league next season (via their FA cup final)

I saw a rumor in the Guardians that Arsenal is planning to buy Pepe Reina?

Skeat, we’re actually 5 points ahead of Everton. So, it is not guaranteed mathematically. Nevertheless, we’ll win the cup and straight to the group stages next year though with some hope of still finishing 4th!

Skeat #176,

Trust the press with their stupid rumours like this one with Pepe, and the Torres threatening to quit nonsense.

But there’s a new one linking us with Tevez, which I hope is true. But then again, where’s the money gonna come from?

aitch, i see your point, and you’re probably right. but i also see a player itching for action and not being given enough. i reckon he tends to give the ball away when he’s anxious to impress with it, i.e when he’s given 10 minutes as sub, or in the first 10 minutes of a rare start.

his confidence visibly improved as the match went on vs burnley, and almost all his careless passes were at the start. by the end he was really starting to run with the ball, and even tried to lob the keeper from inside his own half! – granted, that was a bit shit, but at least it was a sign that his confidence was up.

like you, i can’t wait to see him next season. it’ll be like a new signing. to be honest though, half of me still thinks rafa will be loath to play him as often as i’d like, preferring lucas and masch as we’ve seen so many times this year. i’m not convinced it’s been purely a ‘kid-gloves’ approach that’s kept him out of the side. i reckon rafa has also been erring on the side of a more defensive and solid midfield. that’s what worries me.

We always get rumours of players being linked as Summer transfers to this club or that club at this stage of the season. I pay no attention to it. If any of them come true, it will be a surprise.

Reina has just signed a new six-year deal, I don’t think he’s going to Arsenal!

You’re right LB, Spurs have had a great season and Harry will be urging them on to the finishing line. Bolton at home? Not a forgone conclusion me thinks.

Man.city away? Draw written all over it?

Burnley away? 3 points for sure.

We could say exactly the same thing about Man.City and Villa (who play each other on Saturday)

Relegation is sorted, the title and the battle for fourth place and a place in the elite European competition goes on. And LFC are in the thick of it.

5yearplan, sorry, finally caught up with the posts and yeah, i basically just repeated what you said. nice one!

YK,

Thanks for the corrections.
basically we still need a draw……to go through based on our superior goal difference…

Sambo #179,

Have you noticed Lucas has been playing less lately?

What do you think are the reasons? I think it’s because Rafa now has more choices in midfield, given that Gerrard’s form is improving and Aquilani’s fitness is also improving. So the fact that Lucas and Masch has played so often together this season is due to Aquilani’s unavailability and to a certain extent, Gerrard’s bad form.

What I think we’ll see next season is different combinations of midfield from the 4 of them, sometimes Gerrard / Masch with Aqua supporting Torres, sometimes Gerrard / Lucas with Aqua supporting Torres, and also sometimes Lucas / Masch with Gerrard supporting Torres, etc (a few more combinations I reckon).

well im starting to agree with ya dougle and the rest we have to play for pride and if it means that lot breaking our record so be it. its gonna hurt like hell for many many months maybe years but theres no point pissing and moaning about it anymore we’ll just have to take our medicine and hope that some positives happen over the summer eh.

If the Reds have to play in mid Jul,europa qualifiers,decisions re transfer budget, signings will have to be made within the next month.Doesn’t give much time.

Precisely why it’s so important that we beat A-Madrid on Thursday Burgerman. If we don’t then I can see more mess and confusion resulting in probably little or no transfer activity and that may not suit Rafa etc etc …
It may have further consequences.

Apparently Arsène Wenger has been doing live chats with the supporters on the official Arsenal website. That got me wondering what it would be like if Rafa did the same on Liverpool’s website. First of all, I think it would be great to read some of his thoughts on tactics and so on. It might also have to effect of clearing up a few things. Perhaps some of the anti-Rafa squad would be able to fathom his decisions in a better way. I can’t really see it ever happening though, because the moderator would have a fucking nightmare getting rid of all the spiteful questions sent in.

Sambo

No apology necessary, glad to see my optimism is shared

Maybe a one-off thing Sachem, but not on a regular basis… the man has a job to do, doesn’t it involve enough without adding to it.

And anyway, he does not need to justify his every decision to the fans. This entitlement that modern fans feel is undermining the managers’ position… and I mean all managers not just ours.

A lot of people this season have suggested that playing Lucas and Masch is too defensive and cautious…
…completely overlooking the fact that this season at least, Lucas has been consistently one of MAYBE FIVE fit and in-form players, each week, throughout the season.
Maybe that’s why he has been selected each week… as opposed to some conspiratorially predetermined… and I might add self-defeating… negativity or caution.

Well,
Stevie G’s missus is in the Liverpool echo stating that there is no split between her and her husband and that they have never been happier,
well bang goes that theory why his season has been mediocrity bordering on absolute cack.

I note, Redman, that Stevie G has said nothing himself…

Hmmm…

A one-off thing is what I meant, Aitch. Of course he doesn’t have to justify his every decision to the fans. He’s the manager. But it would be interesting to read some of his thought on his tactical approach and his view of football in general. I don’t think post match comments and press conferences bring us that kind of insight.