I am a trucker...

Well, by now most of you must have known my day-job. Not that I'm saying I have a much better night-job! hahaha... whatever it means!
Admittedly, fasting month for Muslims is quite a challenging period. Not so much about not having any food to swallow, water to sip nor a cigar to burn during the daylight. But I think, personally, the lost of sleep is the toughest among all. Okay... okay... I'm guilty. Actually all Muslims are required and encouraged to double-up their religious practices in this holy month of Ramadan. I guess there will be a time soon for me to really... really fulfill that criteria and turn myself to be a devout one. At the moment, it's still a good 8 hours sleep is what I craving for! hehehehe...

After tarawikh, there is the frequent get together with my buddies in my neighbourhood. We will do what we do best. Enjoying our teh/ teh tarik plus cigarettes and occasionally mee maggi sup! Small wonder most of our bellies are ballooning, though the average age in the group is 37-39 years old. We're still young (in theory) but I consider ourselves to be the yuppies. Not that yuppie but in accordance to our limitation and happy livelihood.

We enjoy talking about cars. And fortunately, I think I am the focal point in the group. That is may be because of my position as a motoring writer also for my newspaper. SURPRISE? hahaha... mind you, I am the jack of all trade, master of none! Having been in this line since 1992, you could say I belong to the `dinosaur writers' i.e we think we're season writers but never get rich... hahaha. And I am the current car reviewer for SIGAP, Utusan Malaysia every Saturday.

If everything goes as plan, I could be writing for the online version of Utusan Malaysia anytime soon (I'm supposed to present my carbon copy to the online editor but my day-job is such a hassle that I kept on dragging my feet...).

So where does LiverpoolFC stand in my life? hahaha... simple. Automotive is my work (I get paid for learning the trade) and LFC is my passion (I paid to collect its merchandise...)

Such is the life that I have now, I even portray it on my ride. Oh yaa... I'm driving a truck. A pick-up truck to be precise. Isuzu D-Max. This is actually to compliment my other passion - biking. Yeah I own a Proton bike that cost me RM1000/. An amateur bike by its standard because those serious bikers owns a minimum of RM7K bike. Compare to mine, it could be considered a joke! So having a truck is to enable me to carry my `precious' bike to a particular destination. If I were to own a sedan, I still can carry it. But the specially built carrier would cost me additional RM3k and it made the car look ugly. So truck is my choice. Anyone fancy for a serious mountain biking, please invite me after Raya!


I installed an aluminium lid to cover the back. It cost me RM2k. Suppose to give me a certain aerodynamics when I push it hard on the highway. This is a 3,000 liter monster. You won't find it accelerating like Ferrari's. But on a straight road, it would be intimidating enough when you look at the back-mirror, this monster trailing you at close range!.... Chihuahua!!!

A closer look to the nice looking stickers at the back of the truck.

p/s A Happy Birthday wish especially to Miss Marsya on the 8th of September. May you never stop to improve yourself to be a better person.

Premier League billions will crank up the pressure on managers, says Benítez·

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· Liverpool manager says wealthy owners will demand success

· Technical directors may also weaken managers' positions

Andy Hunter
guardian.co.uk,
Saturday September 06 2008 00:43 BST


Rafael Benítez believes this week's spate of managerial resignations will become the rule and not the exception of the Premier League as the new breed of wealthy club-owners demand instant returns on their mammoth investments.
The Liverpool manager has come close to losing - and leaving - his post since Tom Hicks and George Gillett took control at Anfield and can identify with the reasons for Alan Curbishley's and Kevin Keegan's departures from West Ham and Newcastle because of his time with Valencia. Unlike Keegan and Curbishley, and in contrast to his time at the Mestalla Stadium, Benítez retains a greater degree of control over transfers at his club, although the Americans' refusal to sanction an £18m deal for Gareth Barry this summer shows there are limits to his authority.
This week's arrival of the Abu Dhabi United Group at Manchester City has placed added pressure on Benítez to qualify for the Champions League at a club that also demands a genuine challenge for the title this season. But, whether to meet financial or tournament targets, Benítez believes the short-term ambitions of the new breed of owner will inevitably lead to a managerial cull.
"If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success. But how many teams can win the title? Just one," said Benítez, whose club will be the next to fall under wealthy Arab control should Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum of Dubai finally persuade Hicks and Gillett to sell. "So the rest of the teams who spend big money, the owners will realise they haven't won, so it could be more pressure and more problems for everyone. City will start the season under pressure from the first minute, but everyone knows you can't win every game. It will be a problem because four or five teams will spend big money, and only one can win.
"As a manager, you have to analyse things properly, because you aren't a fan. You can't just say what people want to hear. The Premier League is becoming more and more difficult because so many people are spending money. For us to qualify for the Champions League for five years in a row is important for a club of our stature. We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it's not easy."
Dubai's £400m offer for Liverpool remains on the Americans' table. Last week work on a proposed new stadium on Stanley Park was postponed due to the global economic crisis raising doubts over Hicks' and Gillett's ability to refinance their takeover next year.
Benítez also suspects the growing trend for technical directors at English clubs, a system that prompted his departure from Valencia and lay behind Keegan's exit at Newcastle, will also weaken manager's positions. "I have some experience in Spain with this system, and I think the relationship has to be good. That is the key," he said.

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utusanLFC : meaning what? If DIC really take control of LFC... does it mean that Rafa is afraid of been kick-out if he failed to deliver the cup?

England pathetically subdued by the Andorra's part-timers...

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I know well in the beginning that this game won't be entertaining. First, Andorra is no match for England. Though I suspect they can equal the likes of China or Korean team. Second, Gerrard is not playing. Third, it's damned 2 am on a Sunday night. But against my own sanity, I waited and turn-on the tv. True to the bill, Rooney kept on missing one chances after another. One important note is how Theo Walcott did came alive on right wing. At one time, he beautifully beat 4 Andorrians or Andorrans before mis-stepping on the ball and lose it awkwardly.
Walcott looked hungry and relishing his first England start - more than two years after being a shock inclusion in Sven-Goran Eriksson's squad for the 2006 World Cup finals - but he faded after a bright start... and I decided belatedly on the struck of 42nd minutes - to switch off and go to bed. That was almost 3am.
At 5am, I had to observe my fasting by having an early meal. I switch on the football channel and there was a Spanish vs Bosnia game. To my delight, my timing was fortunate and coincide with David Villa's goal. It was a neat pass from Fabregas and Villa beat the defenders and walk around the goalie before slotting the goal from a rather difficult position from the left. Now that is a world class striker. Rooney? I don't know. England needs an unlikely striker in Cole and this guy is more established as an attacking midfielder, not an out & out striker which Rooney suppose to be. So Cappelo you moron, bring in Michael Owen. He'll know how to finish the game. Defoe is not the type you can play together with Rooney. Bring in Michael Owen!!!!
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It's raining lah in KL, sunshine in Kajang-today

Forget about the fancy military vehicle with Gerrard's number, the rider is wearing a RM100 Istanbul 2005 cap! . This photo was taken in 2005



Frankly, I have been either informed or notified or sometimes stumble upon the local blogger that focused solely on LFC. All those blogs gets me going as I am trying very hard to find a way to differentiate my own http://utusanlfc.blogspot.com/ (a.k.a You'll Never Walk Alone in Malaysia) than the rest.

So the approach must be more or less a bit. For example, in a post-game comment, I tend to lessen the writing but more on the photos. After all, everyone of us must have watched the game. So what for I bored you guys some more. So use the photos. It would be interesting if the likes of Torres scores. Usually more than 2 opposite side of photographers trained their lenses to him. When he scored, we'd get 2 different angles. Front & back. And this makes the whole scoring moment looks so beautiful.

And in this blog also, I open the door for anyone to produce their own writing. I've try and still waiting for Bob From Kuching to send his. Even Sufi must be still contemplating of what to do. But Mr KHAN has contributed a couple and mind you, he writes with a venom and sometimes I think that his article could be best send to the newspapers and not merely a blog! hahaha Keep it coming bro... do a commentary on tonight's game England vs Andorra. 1.55am Channel 811.

Today, I received with a warmth heart a new friend by the nickname : Kajang-Today (http://kajang-today.blogspot.com/). By reputation, I have heard of his writing. But still in my analytical mind, Kajang-Today could have pick a more related name for his blog. Perhaps if he still committed to behold his birth place... may be something like Kajang-LFC or Kajang-Anfield or LFC to Kajang! My own theory is that Kajang-Today could have started as a blog for Kajang district before turning into LFC-focused blog. hehehe just kidding!

People are a bit confuse about my blog. Should it be called You'll Never Walk Alone in Malaysia or utusanlfc.blogspot.com?

My answer is : utusanlfc.blogspot.com

A simple reason is that I relate it to my place of work Utusan Malaysia and my passion towards LFC. And I must admit that at the early initiation, the blog is meant for me and my colleagues in the office only. And as the time goes (and coming from a newspaper mentality and orientation) to limit the readership within the Utusan citizens is considered a mortal sin, so I decided to seek for a wider audience. And the writing and approaches were also revamped. I'm trying not to be seen bragging but since the topic is about Liverpool Football Club, I do get reaction as far away as Milan, Italy! That is encouraging hehehe... And having a good friend like the infamous Rizal Hashim, does helps in that direction. By the way Rizal (I know you're reading), after Raya, you and I shall meet in a futsal game. Bring your `thugs' and I bring mine. The game must be at night. Easy to resuscitate hehehe....

And also, as you guys can see on my welcoming of one Miss Hidayah (a few posting below), I think everyone of us should encourage the lads and give her the moral support. I still believe in the needs to cultivate the interest among the younger generation towards LFC. It has been said aloud that most of the ardent LFC fan currently are those aged like you and me. Over 30's. It's a generation thing. When we were in our golden youth age, Liverpool were the Champions. So automatically, the desire to be connected to the Champion existed as shown with today's young generation who adores Manure, Chelshit and Arse-null. We were the products of the 80's. So when Ms Hidayah came knocking, not only she is greeted with a hug (errr... a figure of speech ya!... remember the mandatory rules!) but most important thing - she is supported. Yes I linked her blog into mine. So you guys, give her the support!

That's my babbling today. I wanted to go out but it is raining. And I have to send my kid to the school. They are having extra class just to ensure the teachers can enjoy a prolong Raya holiday. Go figure!

Steve Finnan : The Unsung Irish Hero of LFC

Finnan joined Liverpool in the summer of 2003, for a fee of £3.5million, and although he struggled to impress under Gerard Houllier in his first season, he was clearly rated by Rafael Benitez when he took charge in the summer of 2004.
The Republic of Ireland international became a vital player in the Premier League and in Europe as Liverpool surprisingly won the Champions League in 2005.
The right-back faced competition for his place in January 2006 when Liverpool strengthened their defence with the signings of Jan Kromkamp and Jose Miguel Gonzalez Rey Josemi.
But Finnan's solid defensive work and eagerness to attack down the flank proved too good for his challengers, who were forced to move away from Liverpool to get regular first team football.
The arrival of Alvaro Arbelo in 2007 posed another threat to Finnan but once again the Irishman fought off the challenge and ended the season as first choice right-back in his second European Cup final in May.
However, during the 2007/08 Arbelo began to emerge as a real alternative and following the arrival of fullback Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund, Finnan was linked with a move away from Anfield. He is now with Espanyol.
Finnan is famously the only player to have played in every English football league, from the Conference to the Premier League. He began his career in non-league football with Welling United and, as a 19-year-old, signed for Birmingham City in a £100,000 deal in the summer of 1995.
He struggled to breakthrough at St Andrews, making just 22 appearances before moving to Notts County.
Some fine performances soon had Kevin Keegan interested, and in November 1998 Finnan joined the Fulham revolution for £600,000. He made his debut in a 2-1 home win against Chesterfield, and scored his first goal in a 4-0 hammering of Blackpool.
The Irishman's reputation continued to grow and before long he won full international honours with the Republic of Ireland. He travelled to the 2002 World Cup with his country but has since retired from international football.
Finnan was one of the outstanding players in Fulham's rise to the Premiership, and was unfazed when mixing it with the big boys.
As the 2002/03 season came to a close, Finnan's transfer to Liverpool was one of the game's worst kept secrets. He made 209 appearances for Fulham, scoring seven goals.

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utusanLFC :
Finnan has always been our unsung hero. What the hell does `unsung' meant? Its someone who rarely speak to the press, no serious tackles that warrant spotlight trusted unto you or a spit on someone's face (hello Diouf!), no scandals.. and no nothing. All we know is that Finnan is a loyal servant to LFC. When he played, he did it with full of his heart. Now he is in La Liga. Funny he had to ply his trade in the Iberian peninsular when there is a massive influx of Spanish players now in LFC. But again... Finnan, THANK YOU!

Dubai have shown its MONEY... now Yankee - TAKE IT AND LEAVE ANFIELD!

The Dubai ultrarich Arabs bought Man. City not for love. But simply to provide a political statement to the 2 stupid americans businessmen here in Liverpool FC. Sale off your shares NOW. Get lost. You being here has nothing but a headache and another delay for the stadium.

Imagine if the Dubai are already here, we're not gonna talk about Gareth Barry that long (in fact he won't be in the list even!). Berbatov could be playing for LFC too. hahaha... but as John Lennon have said : Imagine!...

A girl blog on Liverpool

After a serious and heated discussion with KHAN and SUFI pertaining to the lousy performances of LFC in the drab Aston Villa game... it is heartening to receive a reaction from one Hidayah Nazri. Upon browsing http://hidayahtalksfootball.blogspot.com/ I find the blog is impressive. More importantly, Hidayah is a girl which she admitted freely and happily! Oh how we always run away when ever any chick is trying to be smart and engaged us in football language. We, guys will easily fed-up whenever the conversation abruptly turn to... oh Torres is such a handsome boy... oh Gerrard should be smiling more or Masherano should go to the dentist more often... yuks! We, guys (in fact, we are a bit old... in our 30's.... hahaha) prefer to pretend that we know as much as Serbegeth Singh, though he get paid for saying something totally bullocks... but we only get to play around in this blog for free... errr.. what's my point?

Now according to her admission, she is 16 years old. Ok guys... simply communicate with her on football ok. It is statutory penalty under the Law if you do more than that. hahaha And Khan... this girl can walk off as your daughter!!!!!

On another aspect, I think we must provide support for all the youngsters to develop their passion towards LFC. In the era of Man.U, Chelsea & Arsenal... sometimes being a Liverpool supporter can be a tough and challenging part as we haven't won the league for 18 years! Though we got the 5th UCL Cup in 2005.
So young chicks like adik Hidayah is a good sign.

Ok Hidayah. Nice to have you here. I'm sure your love towards Liverpool FC will be more than just on the looks of the Spanish and Merseysides blocks.
And don't miss your study yaaa...

Chelsea left red-faced as Real Madrid agree to sell Brazil striker Robinho to Manchester City

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I want to join Chelsea. I will not play with other club. Yes Chelsea... (and today he is revealed as a Man.City player!)

I rarely watch Spanish La Liga. The only time I did that is during the clash in the UCL. I'm not bothered to wait for the game Real vs Barca. The reason is simply because of the timing. The game is broadcast at 3am here in Malaysia. I rather not sacrifice my sleep and my health. That I reserve just for Liverpool.

So with all the fuss concerning Robinho... I don't care much. Not then, not now. In Real Madrid, some of the more noted players eclipsed my knowledge of Robinho. I know how well Raul, van Nilsteroy among others. So Robinho? Robin who?

Yesterday this kid made headlines. In fact, he has been the headlines for almost the whole summer. I take note of this whole transaction not because I like Robinho. I don't know him. But simply because a second tier club like Man.City could sidestep such an oligarch club as Chelsea is worth a mention in the EPL history.

We all know that Man.City just been taken over by an Arab company purported to be 10 times megarich than Roman. Forget about the money but how in the world they could persuade RobinWho to join them?

Well, I would believe that Real has a hand in it. Such is the acrimony and hatred they have towards Chelsea (and who's not?) that Real divert RobinWho to Man.City. Some people might joke that RobinWho was dupped that he'll be joining the champion Man.United...

Ok enough of those clubs.

Liverpool FC have completed the signing of Spain winger Albert Riera from RCD Espanyol while allowing Steve Finnan to make the opposite move and loaning Andriy Voronin to Hertha BSC Berlin.

Three arrivals
Riera, 26, has signed a four-year contract after arriving at Anfield for an undisclosed fee. Capped five times by Spain but omitted from their UEFA EURO 2008™ squad, Riera is one of three players recruited by Liverpool today, along with 18-year-old Brazilian striker Vitor Flora – captured from Botafogo FC on a free transfer subject to international clearance – and Hungarian goalkeeper Péter Gulácsi, also 18, whose loan from MTK Budapest has been made permanent.

Long-time target
Manager Rafael Benítez, whose Reds side meet Olympique de Marseille, PSV Eindhoven and Club Atlético de Madrid in UEFA Champions League Group D, said of the Riera transfer: "Riera has the qualities we were looking for. He's a left-footer who normally plays on the left wing. He's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser. He's the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers. We've known about him for a long time, since he was at [RCD] Mallorca and then through his career with [FC Girondins de] Bordeaux, Manchester City [FC] and Espanyol. "

Espanyol busy
Republic of Ireland right-back Finnan, 32, has gone to Espanyol for an undisclosed fee, accepting a deal until 2010. After moving to Liverpool from Fulham FC in 2003, the former Birmingham City FC and Notts County FC defender made 145 Premier League appearances for the Merseysiders. Espanyol completed a hectic day's business by recruiting RSC Anderlecht's 24-year-old centre-back Nicolás Pareja – on a four-year contract and for a €5m fee – as well as AS Monaco FC midfielder Nené, on a season-long loan with the option of a permanent switch.

Voronin loan
Finally, 29-year-old Ukraine forward Voronin will spend the 2008/09 campaign with Hertha Berlin, 12 months after landing in Liverpool from Bayer 04 Leverkusen. He registered five goals in 19 Premier League outings for Benítez's team. Hertha's UEFA Cup adventure continues in the first round against Irish club Saint Patrick's Athletic FC on 18 September and 2 October.

Aston Villa 0 - 0 LFC (RAFA SO BIZARRE...)

The Aston Villa fan is applying some xenophobia posters in their stadium...


This is one game you might just believe what the UK newspaper has been talking about Rafa. Too much tinkering, too much loco and too much experiment.
In this game... while Torres's still fit, do you realise where was Keane positioned at? On the left wing? Nuts! How in the world could someone like Rafa, mishandled so terribly a player he himself bought at £20m? Why did he kept Yousi and Babel on the bench? He should have use this two wide player to demolished Villa defence. No he didn't bothered, not until 10 minutes left thinking that Yousi could brought us a certain miracle by scoring in the last minutes.
When Torres was forced to leave the field, Rafa brought in David Ngog. This young chap impressed me during pre-seasons. But last night's game he failed miserably. Looks like he is not fit to play in the EPL. He is not fast and not strong enough. Ok lets give him the benefit of the doubt. But we usually give it when we were leading. Which was not the case.
Then Keane had one clear chance from a good through ball by the great Masherano. I wonder Torres would have slotted-in the goal rather much easily than Keane. hmmm....
With the formation, you couldn't stop thinking that Rafa came here just to get a point. He didn't really excited about winning. This is weird because LFC has no multiple game to play in this week. As we know, this weekend it would be an international break. Then the big crunch will be 13 Sept. against Man.U. But we're talking about another 2 weeks.

This is one game I wish Rafa could have done better.

One positive note is the return of Javier Mascherano. The golden Olympian had a powerful game and if he's not playing last night, LFC could be enduring one or two goal deficits.

Stopped Barry at all cost! Stop him from joining Liverpool...

Don't hurt me... aren't you supposed to be in our squad already?

I remember this one very well. Young was trying to pass the ball from the centre to the left when Masherano just bamboozled him (nothing nasty... he had the ball all along!) which he then passed to Kuyt who frustratingly wasted it.

End to the Albert Riera Saga

yaaa... Reira did play for Man.City and he was a flop there. So now he'll be better in Anfield? Yeah right...

by Khan

It is reported that Albert Riera is already at LFC for medical and if everything goes as planned, he will be the latest signing for us. For a fee of 8.5 million, he is not a highly rated player because a 'good' player would cost about 20 million. Someone like Barry for example, and this fantastic price tag is not only because he is an English player. So they say.

Riera speaks English well I assume since he was born in the popular British holiday island of Majorca. I also assume that he reads the papers, maybe even the British tabloids. And I assume he would have seen and read the Barry saga. And I assume that he is relieved that he is just one of the options for LFC because Rafa could not land the service of Barry. I mean, nobody would want to go to a fantastic club like LFC with a huge burden that demands you to deliver because you were chased for the whole summer and where expectations are so high, they write evil things about you in the papers. Going to LFC as he does, people do not really expect any wonders from him. After all, he is not known to be prolific goal scorer and some quarters also deem him as a failure at Man City when his loan was not made permanent. Many look at him as an average player. And he has been bought because LFC couldn't afford Barry. This is indeed good news for him, on top of the fact that LFC supporters are usually patient with new players and trust Rafa and his decisions. He will definitely get a song or a chant from the Liverpool fans. This non-high-expectations would help Riera to settle down quietly at LFC, with or without the tag of being only a squad player in Rafa's side.

But the situation at LFC at the moment is such that I think he will be a key player in Rafa's usual plans to try to win all the trophies this season. We have a problem at the left flank and Riera is supposed to be the answer to that problem. We do have problems in different areas too, such as the right flank, but that is a different issue because Riera is a left flank player. It will be interesting to see how he plays his role in this area and how many games he gets to play with Babel and Benayoun as other options.

I watched a few videos of Riera at the Mirror site, a total of about 25 minutes worth of him at different clubs and for Spain. Doesn't do him justice since he has played for so many years and footages like these ones can't be considered as the whole truth of what he is capable or incapable of. There is even one on youtube entitled "Top 15 longshot goals" and the producer of the video doesn't even know his name. And I am not joking. Just a '?' (question mark) that put him at 5th place. You can catch it here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igWC_fufZ58 .He looks like a strong lad, dribbles well, has pace and looks like he could hold the ball well too. He looks great at counter attacks with his speed and skills. But his shortcomings are apparent too (in the short videos that do not do him justice, of course). He can't cross the ball well. He gets into great positions but his final ball is most of the times crap. And unlike Babel, he doesn't score that many goals. Watching him in those videos, I am reminded of Pennant and his shortcomings. All skills and not much of a danger. But of course, as I said, this should never be considered as the whole truth. He could turn out to a better Ronaldo in the league because Riera has another side to his game. Scoring from a long range. He did strike a cracker once in his lifetime. And this is according to what I have seen in the videos.

NOTE FROM utusanLFC :
This piece was send by Khan on the August 30th. But it was my mistake that I didn't check my mail over the weekend so... today hopefully it is not too late as there is still an hour or two left in Europe before the hour struck 12am...