LFC 2 - Manchester United 0

1. I shall not dwell on the game because ALL of you would do that already! My only question is that how in the world did Pepe Reina managed to get to David Ngog so fast at the far corner of the Kops? Wasn't he at the goal post? Wasn't Glen Johnson was the nearest and yet overtaken by our yellow-shirt? If he is that fast, could he match Torres in terms of pace? hahaha...
   


2. The extra-time was best suited for Man.U. The ref gave 5 minutes. And there wasn't a serious injuries or scuffle. Some might say it backfired but Sir Alex's tactics to get every one in front of Liverpool's goal post were the reason for their sucker punched by Ngog.
   


3. Prior to the game, I received a few SMS from our friends, and some non-LFC fans. I didn't really bothered but one fella I had to reply. First, he told me that he is not really convinced. So I pointed it out that contrary to him - I never doubt Liverpool's ability. I understand that Gerrard is highly important to the squad but we did won a few high-profile games without him. Real Madrid, remember? And during the break (still 0-0 by then) I text him again. Got the confidence? A bit? At all? I asked. He said he preferred to wait until the final whistle is blown.
   
   
4. I told him we are winning the game. The first half was a strong indication. This is simply because Kuyt, Benayoun & Torres plus our Latin American full backs & middle men (Mascherano, Lucas, Insua, Aurellio) were sound and compact. When Torres scored, my voice's decible could be heard along my neighbourhood. Then the 2nd one could be extended to across the road. Well, the best feeling is that I am convinced that my team will win and it materialised. Nothing beats that. Nothing compare close.
   
   
5. My 7-year-old daughter, who accompanied my wife to SACC mall here in Shah Alam, told me that the building was glowing with Man.U's music when they visited the place this afternoon. It was the GLORY, GLORY song... What a good lesson for the building management. Don't mix your club allegiance with commercial. I shall not visit that place for a month! hahaha...
   

EVERY BODY BET LIVERPOOL TO GO DOWN - but we'll FIGHT...!!!

1. Except for Liverpool-based newspaper, every media in the world today predicted that Liverpool will suffer its 5th consecutive losses - against the defending champion. I am a person who has been comfortable all my life to be the underdog - finds this situation as most suitable for Liverpool in terms of pressure. Everybody thinks you will be defeated, so be it. So the pressure would be on Man.U. If they failed to overcome Liverpool, the whole world would mock them for failing to beat a team who is on a losing streak, and once beaten by beach ball..!!!!
   
   
2. The best part of all this loud-noises is that even the Liverpool fans themselves are behaving as if they believed the result is sealed. C'mon... be sensible! We can accept all the rival fans are thinking in such a way but we - as the 12th men - must not commit such an act of insubordination. Be tough, be strong, be bold and be a gentleman. Even if we lost the game tonight, must you throw away all your LFC's shirt in the drawer, peel off your car sticker? Nope. A true fan will stand by him team - through thick & thin - win or lose.
   
   
3. Furthermore, we won't be alone tonight. Man.U aside being the most popular team in the world, is also the most hated club in the globe. While the real Liverpool fans are having some cardiac situation tonight, the other ABU societies (Anything But Man.United) will be behind us till the last seconds of the game. For this, we must appreciate their stand. And united we stand to topple the hegemony of Man.United!
   
   
4. STAND UP!... STAND UP & BE COUNTED!... STAND UP & FIGHT!... STAND UP FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVED - STAND UP FOR LIVERPOOL!
   
   
5. FIGHT...!!!!.... FIGHT...!!! ... YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE !
   

Real Madrid is to lure Gerrard for £30million

1. SunSport today can reveal Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will launch an audacious £30million bid for the Liverpool skipper.
   
   
2. It's a freaking rumour but when you're talking about the real Mad-dread... the rumour always in the end materialised.
   
   
3. My reaction is : It's a total crap. £30million is a crap. Steven Gerrard should be priced not less than £90million. Comprende?

4 defeats not a problem, come sunday WE BEAT MANCHESTER UNITED

1. For those who watch the unfortunate match against Lyon (and those who watch the highlights only... like me...) would agree that a sudden, abrupt change in the players position could altered the whole set up and approaches. In Liverpool's case, Rafa switched Liverpool's most dangerous performer, Yossi Benayoun and sent on Andriy Voronin with five minutes remaining and the game poised at 1-1. Anything could have happened in 5 minutes. Apparently, Lyon managed to steal the sucker-punch.
   
   
2. But among all the expectation, not many of us (fans) would count Voronin to score. Oh My God... just let him go in January, Rafa! He is best suited ONLY for Bundesliga. Top scorer in Germany doesn't mean a penny in the English Premier League (albeit he has been used sparingly... nonetheless, we have lost all hopes on him... ponytail...)
   
   
3. At the time of this posting, no clear news as yet about the availability of Steven Gerrard who had to be taken out within 20 mins in the Lyon's match. Torres should be ready as he has been rested for quite sometimes and it's a bit confusing actually about his level of injury. Is it that serious or a tactical manoeuvre by Rafa (evidently similar to Russian-roulette)?
   
   
4. The consolation news that we can have some sort of spirit-burner for the Man.U game this Sunday is that Alberto Aquilani is making a good progress. He played in a Liverpool shirt for the first time on Wednesday night in the reserves as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery. Though personally, I believed - if he ever chosen by Rafa, Aquilani would be playing the most 30mins of the games or the last 15mins. A bit slacky to field a player who has yet to gel with the others in a real competition, one that is a crunch-game and one that we must win to regain our confidence.
   
   
5. The Man.U fans now are barking and laughing at us. Let them be. They deserved it. Hopefully, the Sunday's match would be a match that would reverse that.

Horror movies Part 4 (LFC 1 - Lyon 2)

I just simply cut & paste this picture from the net. don't ask me about the storyline. I didn't bother to watch it at all.

1. Liverpool now lost four games in succession for the first time since 1987 as their season plunges into despair. And the fans are looking for some fresh air to breath. The next game would not be pretty either, as Man.U is one mountain quite high to climb when the team is facing a very low confidence. And that include one FA match against Arsenal. hmmm....
   
   
2. Can't write much because even though my alarm clock rang at 2.40am, I decided to resume my sleep. It was a long day yesterday thus making me unable to wake up and watch the game. I don't know if I should call it fortunate for me since the result was lousy, but this is one terrible feeling you get every time LFC failed. It spoilt your mood, your desire to work or even to drive. Such is the emotional impact.
   
   
3. But be realistic. It's just a football match. Life is more important. And luckily I didn't put any money on the game (hihihi....)
   
   
4. This is the longest horror movie that I had to endure in my life - up to now.

as if we're watching a horror movie...

If you don't know who this is.... introducing the father of wolverine...

1. Horror movie has never in my list of favourites. I don't like to be scared, I hate the background music, even though there must be the sexiest lady that would be killed first. Still... I hate it. And are we watching the horror movie of Anfield? We saw the magical beach ball that were allowed to be one of Sunderland tools to win the match. Wasn't that an important element in any horror movie? Who was the crazy witch? The ref, of course.
   


2. Three losses back to back starting with Chelsea, Fiorentina and Sunderland, made us uncomfortable on out chair. Some even calling for Rafa's head. Some demonised Rafa's range of selection. Jay Spearing should be OK to start against Sunderland (after all this is not top 10 team, so we thought...).
   


3. At this point of time, Liverpool has never come to a match with such nervousness and lack of confidence. I'm referring to the players and the fans alike. I try not shed my fear and I want something beautiful to happened in the tomorrow morning's match (Malaysian time) against Lyon.
   


4. The built-up news is not encouraging. Only Gerrard could be playing while Torres is reserved for Man.U crunch match next Sunday. Win the match against Lyon, all the torridness would be eased. Not much but somewhat crucial, before we meet those ManUre SOB.
   

STAND UP & REVIVE YOUR LIVERPOOL SPIRIT

1. There was a shocking revelation, there was a video in YouTube and there was a follow-up story on the possibility for the FA to ban the ref for allowing that stupid goal. That summed up our demised in the challenge for our 20th Premier League. I have to agree the hard facts that it will be tough for us to unsit Man.U or who ever at the top now. Four losses is a bit too much. Sitting at no.8 in the league, albeit some would say - the night's still young - but to wait for others to falter is one dangerous game that we have experienced bitterly last season. We were hoping and hoping that Man.U would stumbled but the likes of Ryan Giggs & Ronaldo ensured that the winning streak lasted til the end. So we lost by a game and a half = 4 lousy points.
   
   
2. And that was last season with only 2 lost but a jupiter of draws. This season we yet to register any serious draws but 4 losses is a more devastating condition that we have to endure!
   
   
3. I will remain in a positive mood, though I had to resort to a character-from-the-sopranos last night when I changed the TV channel from ESPN to RTM1 and challenged one loud mouth next to my desk to shut up or my fist will do it!
   
   
4. I have analyse and read with care the article written by our friend, one Ayu KL (don't know if this a nickname for a girl or boy because Ayu is a girly name but I doubt any girl could write in such a way about the proposed sacking of Rafa). Obviously, the article received a massive reaction from both sides. The conservative blocks (similar like me) prefer not to align ourselves to the idea. Of course, Ayu KL has his/her own strong points too. But personally, I think Rafa should be left alone, at least until the end of the season.
   
   
5. We do question his tactics and choice of players. I was surprised he chose a new kid in the middle together with ever-lovable Lucas. The absence of Mascherano until 20mins left could be understood as a precaution since the little monster just returned from a long journey backhome (a glory match as Argentina managed to qualify regardless how bad they have perform under the legendary Maradona up to now!). We see that when Mascherano came in, he not only stopped many many runs by the speedy Sunderland players but also trigger some exciting penetration into the penalty box. That left for the forwards to answer why they couldn't finish the job properly.
   
   
6. That is easy to answer. The forwards that we have in the absence of Torres - are craps! Voronin may be a better player to be position behind the main striker, whereas David Ngog is so weak. He was easily subdued by the Sunderland defenders. He need to be more agreasive. More bravery. But that was it. The class gap between Torres and the rest of the strikers are so huge. While Torres can easily confirmed within the excellent groups of Ronaldo, Messi, Drogba, Henry and Villa... strikers like Voronin, Ngog, Babel belongs to a group of Emile Heskey, Bent, Keane or Owen.
   
   
7. I wish Rafa would find a better 2nd striker for Torres next January.
   

AYU KL on the defeat of Liverpool by Sunderland

The most bizarre goal ever: But did the ref blunder in allowing the goal after Darren Bent's shot deflected off a beach ball?

1. I hope Liverpool fans can see the truth without prejudice. True, rafa has won the Champions league with Liverpool and the FA cup as weell. But they were won basically with Houllier team plus both games were won through the lottery of penalties even though Liverpool were outclassed. Now, with Rafa's team, what has he won? Nothing. Period. I think rafa has reached the end of his career span at Liverpool, he's been given 5+ years. There are similarities with Houllier. The team has stagnated. His choice of players and buys are bizzare.
   
   
2. There is a pattern that is for all to see when a manager makes bizzare choice or decision, the manager has run out of ideas and it's time to pack up things. I honestly believe that as long as rafa is at the helm, Liverpool will not claim the premiership. The owners are partly to blame but it is Rafa who runs the team and makes all the decision on the field.
   
   
3. Please Rafa, stop finding excuses for every defeat or poor performance by Liverpool. Admit it that it is you who are hurting Liverpool. If Liverpool have the strength and are able to mount a challenge as you repeatedly claim to be, you do not need to rely on Gerard of Torres alone. Other players should be able to step in and normal service will resume. What's with this lack of fund? When you are given funds, you buy duds save for a few.
   
   
4. Rafa has made a lot of blunders! but our blind faith in him has actually encouraged him to continue making blunders after blunders. We say enough is enough. Tell me, what is so good about Lucas??? or his team formation? We could have won the title last season but Rafa was a coward, against minnows he continuously persisted with one striker and played cautiosly where as we should go for the kill. He is too defensive-minded and not suited for the premiership.
   
   
5. My loyalty to Liverpool remains but I have no faith in Rafa. The club is more important than an individual. Managers may come and go but the club remains. This is not a knee-jerk reaction after the loss against Sunderland but the truth...and the truth always hurts!
   
   
6. This is what rafa has said in the past:

• babel = new henry
• lucas =new dunga
• kuyt = new van nistolroy
• skrtle=new vidic
• johnson=new phil neal
• vorronin=new ramario
• ngog=new henryII
  
  i rest my case - AYU KL
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DISCLAIMER : The article above is written by our guest writer (not ghost-writer) and all the opinion above is all his/hers and shall not be construed as belonging to the utusanlfc in one way or the other.

Gerrard & Torres rested against Sunderland

1. I won't get panicked. Without those two power engine, we have registered some good result. Remember Real Madrid last season? It is simply because when none of the two are around, the game shifted accordingly to the personnel on the pitch. That's why the likes of Benayoun, Kuyt, Mascherano could deliver something extra-ordinary in such a game.
   
   
2. It's fact that both Gerrard and Torres are injured. I believed the injury is not that serious but Rafa definitely don't want to aggravate them since after tonight, LFC is facing very tough opponents - starting with Lyon, then Man.U and then Arsenal. I guess the gamble not to include our power engines, has to be accepted as a sacrifice that we have to do in a season. It's not by choice because if Rafa thinks he can use one of them, he surely will play in such a way.
   
   
3. But since we don't have other strikers on the same par of Torres at the front... I think Rafa would rely on Kuyt and Benayoun to wreak havoc at Sunderland. Speaking of which, I think we Liverpool supporters tend to be so loyal as not to question the wisdom of Rafa when it concerns Torres strike partner. The likes of Voronin, Ngog or even Babel are not in the same class. Rafa must do something to lure another striker - a well established one. Is David Villa still available?

LFC vs Sunderland 17 Oct 2009 at 10pm

In Singapore National Stadium on 26th July 2009. A trip to cherish. A small step towards Anfield.

1. As ``promised'' after the defeat against Chelsea, I didn't really post anything in this blog. The after-effect of the loss could be somewhat frustrating, at least in terms of spirit for the fans. As everybody are fully aware, October 2009 could break or make our future in the league. Well, it started with Chelsea. Ok we lost it. Next is the crunch match against our arch-enemy, Man.U then a diversion of F.A Cup against Arsenal.
   
   
2. Having said that, tomorrow night's match is nothing less of a threat. Against a resurging team of Sunderland, Liverpool must win to keep up the momentum of `taking care' the minnow teams.
   
   
3. It has been confirmed that we lost Kyrgiakos for a minimum of 4 months due to his injury during the World Cup qualifying games. Imagine the headache. Kyrgiakos was bought as a replacement, a stand-in for the regulars. Now he is not available. Though it could be a silver-lining for Agger, who has been in the news again for a wrong headlines (some club wishes to pry him out in January window).
   
   
4. There were some exaggerated news pertaining to Gerrard and Torres too, fortunately it was nothing more than a headline grabbing and far away from the truth. Both should be featured on Saturday.
   
   
5. Another silly story which can also be terms as audacious was that Man.City is trying to lure Yossi Benayoun away, also in January window. It has been scoffed off by the player's manager. I have no doubt of our little Jew in this department. He has shown his ability and the fans like him. I like him. I like the way he changed the game, just the way he did at West Ham... just the reason why Liverpool bought him in the first place. Hopefully, Benayoun will start the game.