Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year

Dear Friends, Dear Kops

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010.
I will be spending the holiday season in Kuching for a week.

Ngap Sayot!

ALL POSTING MUST BE REGISTERED WITH GMAIL ACCOUNT

1. hehehe... I have to do this again. oo many Rafa-haters that refused to introduce themselves made this blog some sort like a `Rafa-haters blog' to which I must clarify, it is not!
   
   
2. And since the Pompey game, there's another one crop up playing with me about the supposedly my ego-statement on the `Liverpool-must-beat-Pompey'. I'm not sure if the anonymous is two different people who comes here simply to make a fun of everything. I'm not sure if that is the same person. For which I don't really care.
   
   
3. So now as to limit the access to the anonymous posting their `valuable' comments, I activated the restriction and only allow those with registered GMAIL account to come and write their comments. I need to emphasize the needs to be responsible on your writing. And also transparency. Those anonymous could make me rethink of my decision to use my real identity here. So the best way to address this silly situation is to restrict anonymous comment.
   
   
4. Sorry guys, this is not a political blog that you can come - hit & run. This is a dedicated blog for Liverpool. And I for one, don't really agree with the idea of hating Rafa (not yet...but don't know in the near future).
   
   
5. This is a blog dedicated for Liverpool fans. Make it an enjoyable blog for every one. We can tease each other but not to the level of annoying. This blog is a specific blog for Liverpool fans to shout, brag and do what ever they want onto other team. Because it is about Liverpool. We can write that Liverpool will surely beat Pompey. Never mind that fact never occurred. But no one outside of Liverpool domain should have the decency to fault us for doing so. It is within our right. It is a Liverpool blog. We optimised our cheers for our club. If you don't like it, please go away. Man.U would welcome you with an open heart.
   

Take a poke at Aquilani... Gary Lineker

You know Gary Lineker? yeah... the poster boy of the 1980's era. He wrote in the Daily Sport:

``...Alberto Aquilani cost more than Defoe - but you wouldn't have realised it from his appearances this season. At a reported £20m, he's got to be the worst buy. He was meant to replace Alonso but spent the first three months injured and hasn't been pushed into the team by Rafa Benitez now that he is fit. It suggests the Liverpool boss is not confident about his ability to fit into the English game.''

Continue reading the questionaire below:

a) Do you agree with his assestment? Why?

b) Three months injured, was it obvious or simply stupid decision to buy such a crock player?

c) Do you believe Aquilani will eventually emerged as the 1st choice midfielder that we really crave at the moment?

d) How many of you believe that Aquilani won't stay longer than a year in Anfield?

e) With £20m, who do you think Rafa could have bought, aside than Aquilani?

ANOTHER FAMOUS WIN... BY PORTSMOUTH!

1. Based on some of the reaction posted below by people-who-refused-to-identify-themselves, Rafa to them, must leave Liverpool Football Club. Not later but now. Wow... This song cropped up every time the team lost. But they were almost non-existence when Liverpool beat Wigan last Thursday. So where is the balance here?
   
   
2. Another question : To let go Rafa and to acquire who? And at what price do the club have to pay? When you want to debate, you must debate in a micro point of view. Thoroughly. Not one-sided. You can argue that Rafa has lost its plot, lost his tactical acumen, lost his hair, lost his luggage. That's fine. But what makes you think another manager could be so different? Why was it last season we didn't hear these hate-Rafa songs? So it must have to do with the current agony situation we're facing. But why the knee-jerk reaction must we adopt here?
   
   
3. Again, Liverpool Football Club's financial situation doesn't permit any knee-jerk reaction. The club has to pay Rafa 20million pounds in order to dismiss him. That is a good value to purchase David Silva. Or van Nilsterooy.
   
   
4. I watch this agony in the office. I hear one loud-mouth Man.U fans laughing at the back when Portsmouth scored the second goal. It was painful, I must admit. But today I shall return the laugh because I just got to know Fulham bamboozled Man.U with a margin of 3-0. So you Red Devils, watch when you're laughing. The laughter could be louder when your team hit the ground. So lets return the laughter to the wanker.
   
   
5. Speaking of the pain and the agony, I think it is sufficient for us to face the defeat with dignity and patience. But it boils my blood and created a huge anger in me with all the freaking comments about Rafa. I don't deny Rafa is very much in the decline. He's tactics could be very much in doubt. But I don't see any good for the fans to go for his blood. At times as dark like now, I prefer that all of us - the LFC fans, should group together and stand united and don't let the team walk alone. What you're doing now is only bad for our mental health. Think positive and you won't lose your hair too soon.
   

Portsmouth against Ports of Liverpool : Who has the bigger fleet?

1. Portsmouth is number one at the bottom. Yet, those ESPN pundits thought that they can steal a point in the match against Liverpool. That really annoyed me. Such is the degradation in the expectation and prestige of Liverpool that no one think we can win matches outright or easily nowadays. It seems that even the lower league is expected to beat Liverpool and Liverpool is for some, a team that is the butt of the joke. Let me analyse this together with all of you.
   


2. I'm not sure if it's a good thing. Firstly, being an underdog does bring some sort of a morale booster. But being in that position also is simply because people don't rate you that much. Why was it? Because we had a terrible 3 months. We beat Manchester United yet we failed against the smaller teams. So it has to be balanced somewhat. You got what I mean?
   


3. Take Europa Cup. Liverpool was not rated as the favourite team, thus we didn't get any seeding. The points gained by Liverpool in the Champions Cup were too low and that ensure us a `pleasant situation'. However, this morning news is not so crunching. We didn't get to fight Juventus, as yet. Or Weber Bremen. But a team from Romania: Unirea Urziceni. While Rafael Benitez's side finished third in Group E, Unirea also came third in Group G, despite recording a famous 4-1 victory over Rangers at Ibrox. The Romanian champions also beat Sevilla 1-0 at home and are managed by former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu.
   
   
4. Portsmouth can never beat Liverpool. The momentum is gaining its fever level. Torres will score again tonight. Then for the next game, the ESPN pundits won't dare to rate Liverpool at that lowest level anymore. Anyway, I won't be switching the TV too early, so I don't have to listen to the ESPN- so-called `expert views'. Loads of BS, I say.

LFC 2 Wigan 1 (hmmm... a relief somewhat...)

``Between the two of us, I would be the most likeliest to stay longer here...'' said Gerrard to Rafa.

1. It was only Liverpool's fourth win in 16 matches and just their second at Anfield since September 26 but it will do much for the team's shaky confidence.
   
   
2. David Ngog scored the first goal. That confirmed his status as a yo-yo or 2nd grade striker because he scored when nobody cares and failed to do so when he is most expected to mark his stature. Of course, we have to compare him with Torres because Ngog is not the ideal striking partner to him.
   
   
3. So there was a news speculating that Liverpool might chance to acquire Ruud van Nistelrooy for a loan. I find it interesting, not only because of his scoring prowess and the fact that he is no longer that young, but Nistelrooy was a Red Devil. Since Ferguson without shame took Michael Owen, this is a good chance for Liverpool to reciprocate. Let their former best striker inflict some more misery onto them. To this, I say welcome Nistelrooy... if ever he thinks Liverpool is still alluring and sexy for him to join at all.
   
   
4. Since the game played at 4am, I doubt if many of us watched it. I didn't bother at all. But this morning is the start of a tough week, not because of the opponents but the week of Christmas where English Premier League won't be having a long holiday.
   
   
5. As for Liverpool, the lists is not that detrimental. They will fight Portsmouth on 19 Dec; Wolveshamptom 26 Dec and Aston Villa 29 Dec. Those three teams are supposed to be in the category of `can be beaten' but due to the current situation at Liverpool, I dare not to be so bold at the moment. But win all three, January should be a new air to breath. Perhaps with Nistelrooy around too. hihihi...
   
   
   

STILL VERY MUCH IN THE STORM... apparently

1. This game is something that I will not criticised Rafa. He had a good tactic, correct players and regardless of what the Rafa-Haters are saying now, I categorised last night's defeat as down to damn hard luck. Gallas was clearly obstructed Gerrard but was ignored by the ref. Torres had a good chance but that was his first shot since a few months out because of injury. Can't blame Johnson for converting the equaliser. The whole team was the culprit in allowing the Arsenal kids advancing so deep. And of course, that tiny Russian is in the same class of Torres when a 50-50 chance looks so easy for him to score.
   


2. Calling for Rafa's head is something that is fast becoming a trend nowadays among the frustrated fans. Hey, every one is. But I must stressed again, I shall not be connected directly or indirectly with that sentiment. All the posting here - be it pro-Rafa or anti-Rafa, are all written with free spirit and the love of LFC. Keep it that way.

Against another odd... Arsenal

1. Suffice to say, I dread to predict anything about this crunch match between Liverpool against Arsenal (scheduled 11.55pm Malaysian time). Both had a miserable week, albeit Arsenal merely suffered a lost where else Liverpool another pile of embarrassment before proceeding to the Europa Cup with that lousy lost against Fiorentina.
   
   
2. According to the latest news reports, both of our main players : Gerrard and Torres will be fielded in this morale-salvaging game. This is a good news, especially when Arsenal is also facing some serious issues of injuries to their players. Their problem is our gain, I supposed.
   
   
3. Some of you have written a very loud displeasure towards Rafa. I tried to be objective as long as I could and would only criticised him if I find the tactical game chosen or the player picked ahead of the regulars are not into our liking. Still, I don't see myself jumping into any of the `Rafa-haters' bandwagon nor would I suggest that Rafa should be removed, at this stage.
   
   
4. Because at this point of time, we have to admit that we are in a storm. For which I prefer to carefully read the lyrics of our club anthem `You'll never walk alone'. Sing it!
   

When you walk
Through a storm
Hold your head, up high
And don't be afraid,
of the dark
'Coz at the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song
Of the lark

Walk on,
through the wind
Walk on,
through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed
And blown

Walk on, walk on
With hope,
in your heart
And you'll never walk alone

You'll never walk alone
Alone

Walk on, walk on
With hope in your hearts
You'll never walk, alone

BREAKING NEWS! MALAYSIA BEAT THAILAND 2-1

I just received (our Sports Desk, actually...) a good news from Laos, that our national football team beat the mighty Thailand 2-1 the SEA Games.

Don't know the detail as yet, the scorer or how many yellow/red cards. But it's something to cherish when Liverpool is not performing its best. hehehe



MALAYSIA BOLEH!

*(Kuyt & Reira celebrate the 2nd goal in the demolition of Everton not too distant ago...)

ANFIELD OF MISERY

1. COINCIDENCELY, this couple of weeks I have been listening to a lot of Metallica songs. This has got to do with the fact that I have managed to acquire their last year's album, Death Magnetic on a free! You guys should listen to the instrumental Suicide Redemption. It's really upbeat, contrary to the morbid title. And along the way, do listen to the Metallica's MISERY. And that is how I feel now when I look at the Liverpool Football team performances.
   
   
2. Lost 2-1 to Fiorentina and that's it. Liverpool a team of mockery this season. What a season of infamy. A misery. A doom. I don't know I would be as enthusiast as I was when we start our Europa Cup rendezvous soon. I don't know if we can beat teams like Juventus anymore.
   
   
3. And browse through some of the UK online newspaper this morning and there is the story carried by The Daily Mail : Liverpool have targeted Tottenham misfit Roman Pavlyuchenko in a surprise January move which could see Ryan Babel head in the opposite direction as Reds boss Rafa Benitez desperately aims to find a back-up for Fernando Torres.
   
   
4. I wonder if Rednapp has similar fondness toward Babel. hahaha... I couldn't care less at this precise moment. Still very much pissed-off... And Rafa, while you're at it, can you take Lucas, Ngog, Dossena OUT of Anfield too...
   
   

LFC vs Fiorentina: Nothing to gain except a win in Anfield

Introducing Ms Michela Quattrociocche, Alberto Aquilani's girlfriend. Michela won't be on the pitch tonight though, perhaps at the directors box watching Aquilani starts the match (at last!)

1. This is a bit odd. A final game of sort for Liverpool in the running for the last 16 Quarter Finalist to the Champion Cup which has ended about 2 weeks ago. Tonight (very very early morning tomorrow Malaysian time) will only a showpiece of pride that we have to win in order to salvage what is left and the continuance of a dull journey to Europa Cup, soon.
   
   
2. Another footnote is that Rafa at last, promised that he will start Aquilani, a player who has been frequently associated with ``warming-the-seat'' position lately. With this, we have to win, not because we have any chance what so ever but more as a matter of pride. Since it will be played in Anfield, the honour of the stadium must be maintained at all cost. We got to win.
   
   
3. And that win shall boost our morale when we meet the young guns later on Sunday. That school children has a yo-yo performance lately also, but not so bad vis-a-vis Liverpool. If the match against Blackburn should be the barometer, then Liverpool will surely doomed in the hands of the Gunners. So tonight's game has many meaning and bearings. Beat Fiorentina, and the psychology aspect is settled.
   

BLACKBURN Vs LFC : ANOTHER STUPID DRAW

1. I watch the game from the rooftop of a new hotel by the lake side in Taiping last night. While the others were busy celebrating the host's birthday, I focused on the 40-inch flat TV, before I became the butt of the joke because at the other end, the TV showed Man.U scored 4 goals...
   


2. You want to play the blame game? Blame it on Rafa for playing David Ngog. Helpless and not fit to play for Liverpool. So you are keeping Torres for what? For him to be really really fit to fight for the 4th place only, isn't it? May be with Aquilani you want to do Keane on him? Sale him back to Roma?
   


3. I have nothing but anger in my heart so I must stop before the words I type here could go even worst.

Blackburn may have hurt Chelsea, but Liverpool can hurt Blackburn too...

1. Rafa in his espionage language, indicated that Torres may well be paired at last with Gerrard in the match against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow. Rafa has his own reason as to not admitted to anything openly, perhaps for tactical reasons. But why do we need to worry if indeed Torres is playing because when he is that good, not even Vidic or Rio could stopped him. And we're talking about the defenders of Blackburn...
   
   
2. The win against Chelsea can be deemed as a lucky win. Chelsea fielded its 3rd choice players. And as I have noted before, even the 3rd choice for Chelsea is equivalent to multi-million pounds and easily eclipse half of the Blackburn set-up. For this, we should praise Blackburn. Surely, this win will spur them in the match against Liverpool. Or better, that hard-fought match (ended with penalty shots) probably took their energy out and if Liverpool switch on their rapid-bombardment, Blackburn won't have a space to breath.
   
   
3. And the prospect of having Torres return to the starting line-up, means Blackburn definitely will face a turbulent time. They need to have two defenders to stop Torres, thus allowing Gerrard to manoeuvre things as a second striker. And hopefully, Rafa will come to his senses and play Aquilani. C'mon Rafa, we want to see him play.
   
   

The goal belongs to Mascherano, not Yobo

Javier mimicking Manny Pacquiao's jab...

It's okay as long no fingers are involved...

Now he's doing the haka dance... were you a rugby player Javier?

oh nice gesture Javier. Now, pledge to us that you will stay another season... hihihi


Javier Mascherano should be credited for the opening goal in the derby match against Everton. Of course from what we have seen in the TV, Joseph Yobo has a strong reason to be `chosen' as the rightful owner.

But consider this:

1. If Mascherano didn't give it a shot, do you think there could be any slimmest chance at all?
2. Motives. Mascherano's shot was a motivated one and deliberate. In a murder case, Mascherano would be indicted on a first degree man slaughter because he has an intention, a motive and deliberate to murder.... errr I mean, to score. Whilst Yobo could get away by claiming he killed the guy in order to protect himself from aggression... So my argument is that Mascherano was deliberate to score, albeit it was bamboozled by Yobo to the left side of the goal...
3. A clear definition must be read like this: An own goal is: the player kick the ball with such a velocity and awkward to his own net or dribbling the ball from centre-half into his own net... but a deflected one must be deemed as a legitimate goal by the opposing player.
   

But don't worry Mascherano, even though your name wouldn't be stated in the score sheet, we Will always remember the first goal against Everton in that match as JAVIER MASCHERANO's. No one can take it away from you and us.

ONLY 2 LFC PLAYERS ARE CONSIDERED WORLD CLASS?

The best against the ogre... That shoe should have been a bit higher...

1. Ballon d'Or, the award for Europe's player of the year voted by journalists and organised by France Football magazine listed our captain, Steven Gerrard at no.10 and Fernando Torres at no.11. (Yes, salute to Lionel Messi for being selected as the winner this year for his brilliant performances in the final of Champions Cup or perhaps, in beating the Man.U).
   
   
2. Is it correct to say that LFC have only 2 world-class player in Gerrard and Torres? Of course, Ballon d'Or (pronounce simply as Balon Dor, not ``dee-Or'' like some stupid-ever-follow-football pretenders who thinks they can bullshit us at a drinking session with their supposedly highly-accurate analysis!) is voted by the media people, so that is not necessary accurate, at least when it concerns the respective clubs.
   
   
3. So my question is : what about Pepe Reina? Isn't he should be counted one? Well, in a such awards that focus mainly on the one who scores or playmaker, surely goalkeeper is not really the highlight in the menu. Reina is the one keeper for LFC now and the 2nd keeper for Spain, simply because Casillas is at the same age-bracket with Reina so it's quite difficult for Reina to oust him. Unless Casillas broke his arms or something. hahaha
   
   
4. To me, Pepe Reina is undoubtedly one of our world-class player. I'm sure you'll agree...
   

WONDER SAVE FROM PEPE REINA

This split seconds photo was taken from a camera that is fix at the back of the net, via a remote control. The magnificent photo shows how Reina made that stupendous and outrageous double-save from Cahill's header, then a point-blank shot by that Afro-hair Belgium guy. If you guys agree that Liverpool played like a crap, one thing for sure that many of us would agree otherwise is that Reina had his top-form during the match. He's save was top-class. Simply top-class!!!

Carragher said we're the 2nd team yet managed to win...

After Man.U... Everton is a must win match for our deputy captain...

1. It was a bit shocking but most of the pundits and fans alike would have to agree with Carragher assessment. The team still playing below par, except that a few good men plays with vigour, namely Mascherano, Kuyt and Pepe Reina. Mascherano speculative shot were diverted for the first goal (a popular one in Merseyside for many many moons!).
   
   
2. Tim Cahill is still a torn in the butt and he almost cost us another humiliation but for the brilliant, world class keeping of Reina who denied Cahill and the ensuing follow up by that former Standard Liege player... wow... I shall not forget that save. It was a sure goal. Twice for that matter. And yet, Reina was excellent.
   
   
3. Our Captain is still not at his level best. Thus the on and off performances. He was the instrumental one in securing the second goal, converted by Kuyt after a powerful blazed by Reira that couldn't be save by Tim Howard.
   
   
4. My irritation is not so much towards the regular convict ... not Lucas even though he could, he should be more adventurous in front of the goal. Twice he was one on one with the opponent goalie, and yet he was easily subdued by Yobo and Distin.
   
   
5. And so my wrath is dedicated to David Ngog. He failed miserably tonight. Freaking dumbo. His positioning was nowhere, he losses the ball more than Lucas, he can't passed, he's shot was a pussy and he was so easy to be defeated. I was enraged that he was only taken off after more than 70 minutes. He should have been out at the beginning of the 2nd half.
   
   
6. Now, slowly we shall built our momentum from this win to walk on the December to register more wins. All of you, please stand up and be counted. We must regain our spirit. WALK ON! WALK ON! WALK ON!
   
   

WE CAN BEAT EVERTON

1. Despite the fact that we missed out of the Champion Cup, we actually won the game against Debrecen with a solitary goal by David Ngog. Put aside all the mumbles and frustration, I suggest we should now look forward for the future, starting with the match against our so-called neighbour, Everton. The Blues are almost in the lousy shape with Liverpool vis-a-vis result and performances.
   
   
2. However, we should have an upper hand simply because we are Liverpool and they are Everton. They did embarrassed us last season but Sunday is the day to ratify things. Someone must closed down that Aussie guy.
   
   
3. Let me make this easy, I say that Liverpool will win this game 3-0. Care to join me?

Happy Eid dul Adha!

1. Today is a day for a celebration and thanksgiving to commemorate our Muslims brothers and sisters success in performing their hajj in Mecca at the moment. It's a good day, bright and warm and we are expecting some family members to visit us any time now, while I switch on the computer (hehehe...).
   
   
2. My heart is glowing to the fact that my own older brother is in Mecca, together with his wife and hopefully both of them are having pleasant journey to fulfill the 5th pillars of Islam.
   
   
3. And me? I have to tell you the truth, I wish that I could visit Anfield first, then Sicily before determining my eventual pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca soon. Happy Eid dul Adha to all of you!
   
   

Europa Cup: What does that mean in terms of money

1. It has been one hell of a time for any Liverpool supporters around the world. Some prefer to play the blame game with Rafa the obvious target. I would prefer to walk forward. We have to accept that Liverpool has not been a true Liverpool team since the start of the season... well it has been 3 months of agony which has accumulated of our demised in the challenge for the Champion Cup, League Cup and 8 matches that we didn't win (try not to use the words like lost or draw here... hahaha). Of course, still the only match that we can cherished was the win against manchester united that we won convincingly, but unfortunately was the one & only (til now!).
   
   
2. Missing the next round of Champions League is not so much of `losing' and `not advancing'. With the current low form of the squad, I say it's better now than latter. We can't hide the fact that the Liverpool team that we're watching now is playing at their way way below standard. So the next question would be: how and when do we need to reinforce the squad. Get rid of the dead wood, find a new one. And January is less than 5 weeks away.
   
   
3. Failure to regain the spot in the Champions League also would make it difficult for Liverpool to really attract some big names. And we can't compete with the big moneys, simply because we don't have it. Manchester City may not have as colourful history or track records like us but they surely can pay what ever salary the player demands.
   
   
4. According to The Times of UK, the conservative financial plan that Liverpool set for themselves each season means that the budgetary shortfall caused by their exit from the Champions League will be more than offset by a good run in the Europa League. Liverpool only budget to make it through to the last 16 of the Champions League, so falling one stage short of that round will cost them in the region of £2.4 million.
   
   
5. Last season Werder Bremen made £6.1 million from their run to the Uefa Cup final, which they won having been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage. The competition is more lucrative this season, with the winners expected to earn about £8.5 million in total.
   
   
6. Liverpool were knocked out by Chelsea in the quarter-finals last season and earned £23.2 million from Uefa, which included about £8 million from their participation in the knockout stages. This time they will receive only £6.4 million for entering the group stage and up to £2.5 million in win and draw bonuses.
   
   
7. To really analyse and realise what kind of money that we have missed out, read below:
   
   2009-10 prize money Champions League Europa League
   Champions League winners: £8m / Europa League winners: £2.65m
   Runners-up £4.6m / £1.77m
   Semi-finals £3.6m / £0.558m
   Quarter-finals £2.9m / £0.319m
   Last 16 £2.7m / £0.27m
   

WELCOME TO EUROPA CUP! Are we the favourite to win cup?

1. Ok. The fat lady has sang and sank all of us! hahaha... The melody was out, the show had to stop and terrible it may sound, we are now forced to play in the 2nd grade tournament, now known as Europa Cup. Perhaps, that is what the team deserved with much malign, substandard performances the whole 3 months now.
   
   
2. This will be a short posting. The dejection has bestowed its ultimate blow. Need time to recover from it. May be, the next game against neighbour Everton, could do some magic.
   
   
3. For those who hated so much Rafa, I don't have any intention to block your postings even though some people are starting to ask me if this blog has become a bastion of sort for Rafa-Haters. I must stressed that this blog remain a loyal blog for Liverpool Supporters. And I for one, exclude myself from that category of Rafa-Haters. If sooner or later, the club thinks it is better for Rafa to part his way, this blog will support it with full faith. But until then, my standing here is to carry on supporting the club and the manager.

Debreceni : Mathematically Still Have A Lifeline

1. How many of you would sacrifice your sleep tomorrow at the dead of the night, specifically at 3.45am, to watch this match? How many of you would have said that it is not worth it, since the match has no meaning? That Liverpool is doomed to Europa Cup? ... I say to those people: ``it ain't over til the fat lady sings''.
   
   
2. Because Liverpool have a slim chance still to advance to the knock-out stages. Beat Debreceni tonight and then the last game, plus hoping that another team beat that another team, we can slipped in - perhaps it would be the most dramatic way since last season. It's not over yet by now, and thus, making it crucial for the squad to play their hearts out tomorrow morning (Malaysian time).
   
   
3. On the same breath, I urge all of you to give them a morale support and watch the game. A true supporter will never run away when ever the team is facing a bad patch. We, loyal fans, must stand tall together in what ever circumstances - be it good or bad. Rain or shine. Sleep or no sleep... YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE starts tonight!...
   
   
   N G A P S A Y O T !!!...

LFC 2 - Man.City 2

This photo was taken from the Internet without permission...

1. Without clinging to any emotional attachment, my argument for this another match that we failed to win, yet didn't lose is simply down to a really bad defending. Much that we would love to cherish Skrtel first ever goal for the club but he was the culprit for the Adebayour equaliser and then everybody was asleep to allow Ireland scored the second goal.
   
   
2. I doubt if we can zoomed into Rafa's tactical strategy in this game. It was okay. The 2 injuries within the first 20 minutes could have disrupt his game plan but the replacement in Yossi, in particular - was somehow a blessing in disguised. Well, that sums up our season.
   
   
3. I am so used now to see my beloved team failed to win the game. I'm sure all of you are feeling dejected. But that doesn't mean we must become a traitor to the club by singing the same song, sang by the rival fans or the ruthless UK media.

Can Manchester City beat Liverpool?

The crazy illustration was taken from boxofficefootball.com without asking them...

1. Albeit the banters and the smirk for all the misery of the struggling Liverpool at the moment, the only joke that persistent is that Manchester United is the only odd team that failed to demolish Liverpool who has been on a no-win streak for a good 7 straight games til now.
   
   
2. This is one important moment of the season. Among the fans, the morale are low and the confidence is a disarray. While the first 15 minutes of the game, many would thought that Liverpool might eventually win any particular game, then the opposition score 2 and the whole dimension of the match changed. Instead of aiming for a win & 3 points, then it became trying to equalised and a single point. And 5 games already we lost all the catching up work. If our front forward couldn't score, don't expect we'll win the game.
   
   
3. Having our Captain nowadays also didn't help much, in particular when his other 10 players are not on the same par with him. Well, according to the news reports that I browse through just now, we probably will see the two pillars of Liverpool (Gerrard and Torres) will feature in the game tomorrow night. That will be good because we need to win after a miserable October and November. We must start winning games in December onwards.
   
   
4. The urge to win is more desirable with the reports saying that 80% Premier League Managers expect Manchester City will be challenging for the Top 4 Spot real soon. If that's so and the fact that they are a mini-Chelsea outfit, Manchester City sooner or later might just achieve that. But it shouldn't be in the expense of Liverpool. We're the favourite target to be ousted from the Top 4 slots, unless we change the way we play and start winning games.

WALK OFF!

Rafael benitez IS LARGELY TO BE BLAMED FOR THE REDS’ SLIDE AND MATTHEW YONG ARGUES THAT WE NEED THE PASSION BACK TO RECAPTURE LAST TERM’S FORM

From the start of the season, it was a clearly known fact that our team was not well prepared and the biggest sad news was the departure of Xabi Alonso, the instrumental one behind our successful previous season. Perhaps, if Rafael Benitez had treated him better, Xabi would have chose to stay. Many other questions remain unanswered. There’s no saying who’s wrong and who’s right here, probably, Benitez has his own views and his way of managing things. I duly respected Benitez - the Champions League in Istanbul will be in our thoughts forever.

He deserved some credit for winning that and assembling a passionate team but bear in mind that it was our instrumental heroic Captain ‘G’ whose leadership led us to a victorious and memorable day in history. A year or two later, we were still performing considerably well but some mistakes in some games cost us the title yet again. Benitez then adopted a knack of switching player’s to unfavourable positions according to his tactical plan. Yet, some of us still ask ourselves the same questions like: "If that was Torres, it would have been a goal?"

Yossi Benayoun has proved himself but isn’t a regular and I wouldn’t blame him should he choose to leave. Last season, Benitez ignored him and relied mostly on his ‘Duracell Pet’, Dirk Kuyt.

Though Kuyt is hardworking, the Benayoun-style telling passes and crosses did not come. Benitez doesn’t field an important first team and give chances to the younger ones as part of the grooming plan, the Arsene Wenger policy.

We have now a Krisztian Nemeth at hand but Benitez chose to loan him away and stick with Andriy Voronin in case Torres gets injured. Injuries do happen in football. It is a common thing and I would feel rather immature to blame the losses on injuries.

If we do lose so be it but at least the players can give their passion and desire to win and it would satisfy any fan. Well, if Benitez choose to rest some players for other games, would the next game be more meaningful than the current one? For if we do not win the current one, the next few games are simply irrelevant.

We have been relying too much on Gerrard and Torres that we don’t have sufficient depth in other areas. The moment one of them or both gets injured, we seem to be handicapped.

It is clear that our defence this season has let us down. Honestly speaking, our defence did make mistakes but the entire blame should not be on their shoulders.

The midfielders seem unable to protect our defence and it loses direction whenever Stevie’s missing. But in actual fact, it was our they who were doing holding and distributing the passes and crosses.

Now, they don’t know what to do or how to play but because game after game their confidence is slowly diminishing. In the past, we did leak at the start but we came back didn’t we? We kept winning games and the confidence boosted our players.

We started this season wrongly, some are not well prepared, some are injured, some were bad selections. The core of our success in the past was not about money or contracts but it was based purely on player’s passion, desire and the fans.

Being cash-strapped, no doubt we are unable to afford comparing to the other top three clubs, but the least what we could have done was to get cheaper players within our budget.

Provided the player bought have the desire and passion to don our jersey, play his heart out and win games. We need to regain the long lost passion.

BLOGGER NOTE: This article is republished from the LSCM E-Newsletter and is not representing the opinion of the blogger, one way or the other and shall not be liable to any legal prosecution.

BIRMING-HAMMERED LFC?

The blogger (in the Russian fur hat) with two new friends at a coffee shop in Murre, a mountainous holiday resort about an hour drive from Islamabad in Pakistan on Monday.

1. My apology for not being able to post an immediate reaction after the game. I was on a tight schedule and my body was losing massive energies while in Pakistan. I've just landed today and due to fly to Penang tomorrow. Saturday must be spend with my family.
   


2. Again, I had the sweet opportunity of being able to watch the game 3 hours earlier than Malaysia (due to the time difference) but again, it didn't have a happy-ending. I am too exhausted to analyse the game. I would prefer to focus on the plus-side of the game and leave it to you guys to comment on the failure of the team to register a win against the lucky-Birmingham.
   


3. As you can see, David Ngog did made a statement in that game. That is heartening. More time on the pitch, surely good for his confidence. Not only he scored the second goal, he was instrumental in ensuring the equaliser. Regardless of the loud complain that he dived, you must not judge by the slow-motion repeated over and over again in the TV. In such a surged towards the goal mouth and then slashed with that furious tackle, it was fortunate that Ngog did what he did and escaped with no injury. Yet, some pundits prefer to look at the incident in a rather different way. Let them be. The more they write about Ngog, I think it would serve Ngog reputation some how. It's a good thing to compare his previous reputation as an ineffective striker for Liverpool. Now he can be bold, notorious, tenacious and bring the scared out of the opponent's defenders. hehehe

THERE'S STILL A CHANCE, SLIM IT MAY SEEMS

Me and the whole `entourage' while I was in Karachi. Not only these Rangers responsible for my safety but also ensure the road was `smooth' for the journey.

1. I must admit that I didn't really study the whole situation of our beloved club when I jotted down my thoughts yesterday, especially when I was caught with a hefty long day working all around the Karachi city and then watching the `deadly' equaliser by that Lyon players. But since then, I had the opportunity to really sit in front of my laptop and read thoroughly the whole debacle and our current state of infamy.
   
   
2. To my relieve (and I hope you guys share it with me!), Liverpool was not really out and out of the race - as yet. There are still 2 games to go, and mathematically, we do still have that chance, albeit how slim it could be, since we have to pray and rely on the defeat of Fiorentina and hoping the likes of Torres, Benayoun and... errr.. Babel... Kuyt ... hmmm... to score more than 3 goals to grab that 2nd spot for the next round. There is still hopes. And this is where I like it most. I love to be the underdog. Let people assumed what ever they want, then we rise to the occasion and executed the coup de grace... so I hope.
   
   
3. I see that some of you don't really like my statement pertaining to the `new Liverpool fans'. Let me debate here a bit more. In any event, like it or not, while having a club to support and hold on to the rest of your life, we can't deny the necessity of having the new generations of fans. This is especially important in terms of commercialism in the long run. There won't be any sponsors if Liverpool kept on losing and the number of fans deteriorated. The impact on the season fans like many of us would be massive when that fact is not ratified. I really don't want it to reoccur when I have to pray every week for the satellite tv to air the live matches of Liverpool or searching endlessly all around the city simply just to look for the club's merchandise. What we have now is luxury. Almost every shopping malls have the dedicated stores that sold LFC's merchandise. Why? Because there are markets for it. What's the point of having a product but no one is buying. This could happened if Liverpool lost its attraction, especially now when it seems that almost any team can beat us. Birmingham City could be dreaming the same dream. To beat the hell out of the broken Liverpool. Lets hope the rot will stop with the Birmingham match. Lets hope.
   

DOOMED, GLOOMED...

This was my actual police escort... in Karachi, Pakistan on 4-5 Nov 2009

1. The time difference between Malaysia and Pakistan is 3 hours. I was in a state of joy earlier because of the thought that I will be watching it `a bit earlier' than the usual 3.45am that I had to endure in Shah Alam. So I watch the freaking match and what a devastation to see the late late equaliser by the Lyon outfit. Thus the eminent demised of Liverpool in the European Cup and hey we are now the hot favourite to win the new Europa Cup... huh....
   
   
2. I see that some of you have posted your dismay. Fine. I can't stop any of you from doing it because I am also very much pissed-off. Luckily, my programmes here in Pakistan are packed and my small entourage of 5 journalists doesn't have a fanatic like me, though at least 2 of them confessed of being a fan of our rivals. hah... never mind. Even the head of our security detail claimed he is a fan of Chelsea.
   
   
3. This is the after-effect of the losses. We won't be seeing new fans among the new generation because no way the young ones would support a losing-prone team like Liverpool now. No way. It's a pain in the heart and in the arse!!!...
   
   
4. I will be here till next week. Please pray for my safety. YNWA...
   
   

Rafa's future lies in the next 3 games?

The memories of 2005 can never erased the current state of infamy...

1. Many pundits, sports writers are suggesting that Rafa's tenure would be greatly depended on the next three games. If Liverpool lost all 3, that means Rafa must go or so that claimed to be. The frustration felt by all the LFC fans all over the world cannot be justified nor hidden. The crazy and suicide tactics by Rafa in the Fulham match was deemed as his betrayal to his words to us that he will focus on the Premier League, not Champions.
   
   
2. If that is so Rafa, when Liverpool lose against Lyon... for me there won't be another 2 games to decide your fate. By Friday, the cry would be louder for your head. I'm not sure if I would be among them. I prefer not to, at this juncture. Not my style. I don't belittling my own favourite team, but criticizing is a totally different meaning with belittling - according to my James Brooke's English understanding...
   
   
3. I will be travelling abroad on Wednesday, thus I'm not sure if I can present my posting in the blog. I'll find a time in between. I am a bit worried if the country that I'll be visiting don't have the football channel. But feel free to write some, send it to my gmail and I'll published it here.

Fulham 3 - LFC 1 (+ 2 red cards...)

Did the erratic decision by Benitez caused us the Fulham game?

1. It's 30 minutes to go. Then you took out Torres. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, RAFAEL BENITEZ? Lyon? That's three days more. Why can't you focus on the current battle? We're not even leading at the time, but were down 2-1. And you think Ryan Babel can changed that?
   
   
2. Then the referee exploded with obnoxiousness and an ordinary tackle by Degen was deemed a red card offence. Never mind that. Then you took out Yossi Benayoun. Who do you have? No you didn't have anyone. That's why Ecclestone was criticised for his lack of experience. We lost Carragher. Find. The third Fulham's goal was inevitable. Luckily, it stayed that way until the end.
   
   
3. People will remember this game not so much for the 2 red cards. Because referee decision is a normal thing to debate, mock or cursed at. But this time around, it is Rafa's decision would be the focus of condemnation. Fans will be shouting for reasons from Rafa... why must he pull-off Torres? He wasn't injured or seriously injured for that matter. Because once Torres was out of the pitch, that rejuvenate Fulham... That decision of Rafa invited the many attacks by Fulham and ultimately, forced Carra to do the tackled and was given a grand prize of a Red Card.
   


4. Again, the situation could be different if Torres's replacement is another established striker but Ryan Babel? OH MY GOD!... OH MY GOD!... I text Manaf... DIE, DIE and so it became true.
   


5. Do we say goodbye to our 19th title challenge? I wish not to do so because the season is still long. I am a pragmatic person, never ever a pessimist. If I cloud my mind with all the defeats and defeatism in me, I won't last this long in my day job. So you guys, please think positive. A defeat by our beloved team should be considered a mere result. It must not affect our lives. For a good remedy, just reminisced our gallant win against Manchester United last week. We can lost many games, drew 10 but nothing compares to a win against Manchester United...!!!
   
   
6. Though I'm not so sure about Rafa's, after tonight's defeat.

Liverpool doesn't have the 2nd Team that ROCKS...

David Ngog is not really a Premier League item as yet.

1. I have analyse and even gave it quite a serious thoughts on the defeat against Arsenal last Thursday. I think I still have some biff to express, some issues to deliberate, some pissing needs to clean-up...
   
   
2. First, the team that was featured in the Carling Cup was not our first-eleven. Then it's supposed to be our second-eleven. Aside than Insua who has been the regular for the last few weeks, the rest are mostly used sparingly or as a subs or played only when the regulars crocked. Unfortunately, Skrtel found himself in this line-up, simply because he has been carrying some injuries picked during the World Cup Qualifying games.
   
   
3. But Arsenal could also claimed the same, even though the line-up boast a rather still intriguing players such as Eduardo, Nasri, Bendtner, Senderos and Silvestre. And Bendtner scored the winning goal. My mind won't want to lie nor manipulate those facts. Arsenal was also presenting more and more opportunities to the kids that have been groomed and developed, and hell it proves something very worthy with the win against Liverpool.
   
   
4. What my mind would say is that Liverpool is simply a first-eleven team. We don't have a reliable second-eleven like what Arsenal could muster. Not much can be debated about money since Arsene Wenger didn't really utilised his money for the last few seasons, especially after getting rid of Adebayour, though he did bought that Russian boy.
   
   
5. So we don't have any hopes if we kept on relying it on the hands of players such as Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Dossena, Lucas (well... he did pretty good in the ManUre win...), David Ngog. The youngsters we got such as Plessis, Spearing, Eccleston are just not up to it as yet.

WE CAN'T BUY NEW STRIKER, MIGHT AS WELL UTILISED WHAT GOOD WE HAVE LEFT

A rare and expensive experience to watch Liverpool and Nemeth scored twice against Singapore, last July 2009

1. Now my memory keep telling my heart to question Rafa's decision to loan out Christian Nemeth to AEK Athens. The boy has been scoring left & right in the youth set-up. The excuse given was for Nemeth to find more playing experience, since the quota for such strikers are already full at Liverpool.
   
   
2. Well Rafa, David Ngog surely has reach the point where he is evaluated and the result should be only B. He is not good enough for Liverpool. I don't care about the fact that he scored in the ManU match because what is more important is for him to score on a regular basis, when ever he is picked to play. Which is not the reality.
   
   
3. What I am worried is that the goal against ManUre for Ngog would be something we would cherished with sadden feelings, similar to Neil Mellor's surprised winning goal against Arsenal at Anfield in 2004. Mellor didn't even make it to the regular team sheet. And I'm not sure if Mellor is still with Preston.
   
   
4. In this argument, it is prudent for Rafa to recall Nemeth now, and bring him back for the squad in January. Of course I don't know what is his development there in Greece, but most of us must have seen and witness how Nemeth could do better than Ngog. After all, unlike Ngog - Nemeth has been nurtured and groomed in our own football academy. I had the privilege last July to watch personally Nemeth scored two goals against Singapore. The goals wasn't a simple tap-in but something you get to see always in the Premier League.
   
   
5. Someone must find a way to tell Rafa that Nemeth should be recalled in January. Well, this argument is valid only when it is confirmed that Rafa would not be given any money to buy a high-class striker in January.
   
   

PLAYERS WE NEED TO GET RID IN JANUARY 2010

According to the latest news reports, Dossena has expressed his desire to return to Italy for lacking of playing opportunity afforded to him by Rafa Benitez in Liverpool. The 27-year-old international left-back failed to establish himself after being signed as John Arne Riise's replacement in a £7million transfer from Udinese last summer. Dossena made just 12 Barclays Premier League starts and towards the end of the season was third choice behind Fabio Aurelio and young Argentinian Emiliano Insua. The Italian has told Benitez he would like to return to his homeland, with Juventus his preferred destination. For this we say to him: Arivederci...!!! Thanks for the joyous goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United last season. That's all.

Since he is the only one at the moment announced about his wishes, we would like to urge a few more players to follow suit. Starting with:

Ryan Babel. He had so many chances but failed to covert any. He was one of the reason Liverpool lost to the freaking Arsenal kids in the Carling Cup. He can't handled the ball properly, he can't passed and he doesn't know how to tackle accurately. He is just dumb. We would like to wish him: Vaarwel...!!!

We are hoping that Babel won't find excuses not to send his transfer request this January. We had enough of his shortcomings. He is just not fit to be in the Liverpool squad. I doubt if even Barnsley would be bother.

Another player that we should say good bye to is:

Andriy Voronin. He was also the contributing factor for our failure in the Carling Cup. Although in the last few minutes he did some beautiful moves but he was lousy almost the entire game. Still can't believed the tag of the 2nd highest goal scorer in the Bundesliga. That German league must be a pathetic football league to boast Voronin as one of its top scorer and yet failed miserably to emulate his form in the Premier League. I hate his ponytail. It's so out-dated. For this we say: GET LOST...!

Arsenal 2 - LFC 1 (Luckily we don't hate Arsenal as much as Manchester United..!!!)

Beautiful goal from Insua but not enough to survive the Carling Cup...

1. We came into the game at the back of the famous win against Manchester United. Of course, the expectation is high. But as soon as I saw the line-up prior to the kick-off... I told myself, it would be a mountain too high. Not when you have Voronin, Babel, David Ngog as your front men. True enough, Arsenal made a fool of the lots with their blistering, quick touch football.
   
   
2. There were numerous chances for those three to score but hell, none could finish it. And to analyse the whole game (which is actually not relevant at this juncture... hahaha), if we meet again in the Premier League and having our strongest 1st eleven... Arsenal won't find it as easy as last night. Skrtel had a terrible time in managing Eduardo at the left and Bendtner on the right and Nasri in the middle. He's tag team with Kyrgiakos can best be termed as erratic and full of nervousness. Last night team was a shadow to the one that beat Manchester United last Sunday.
   
   
3. Alberto Aquilani was introduced a bit too late into the game. Don't know why, ask Rafa. Same with Benayoun who could be excused as giving him some space to rest but you're playing in a professional league and got paid handsomely, who would want to rest? Aquilani did show one brilliant pass ala-Alonso in his short 13 mins plus 3 debut. Hey, he might even have equalised for us if not for the ball that stuck onto Sandero's hands. That is encouraging show albeit how minuscule the time that were given to Aquilani. He should start the next game.
   
   
4. And the UK press are saying that Rafa is back on pressure. Is it so?

Arsenal vs Liverpool: Aquilani's first game : MUST WATCH

1. Don't know about you guys preparation for the 2.45am game in a few hours. I am fully charged now. Being at work, I finished my pages way way very early and now simply sitting on my desk figuring out what and how to burn the time. I shall start my engine at 12.30am and ETA within 40mins... Then may be, a hot drink to keep me awake after a hot shower ( I know it's not healthy to take shower very late at night but I don't think I can sleep without one...after a long day).
   
   
2. The match is a big one, albeit it's only a Carling Cup but when you're up against Arsenal and just a few days defeating the mighty ManUre... the sentiment from the fans all over the world is reverberating for another win.
   
   
3. The highlight of the game is not so much if Gerrard would play or not, or even Torres. But the first appearance of our newly acquired midfielder, Alberto Aquilani from Italy. I am looking forward to see him play and wishes that he can put a stop to the advancement of Arsenal young kids, led by Fabregas. I'm not sure if Wenger would field his best 11, though. And surely this won't be a dull game. It won't. Stay up with me. Watch the game. Watch Aquilani.
   

SPECIAL EDITION T-SHIRT: MANCHESTER UNITED 3 TIMES BEATEN

Again I got this from Facebook. Not sure how real it is or simply a good banter to mock those Man.United fans. Again, cut & paste it and post it in your domain. The party continues!

THE PARTY'S STILL HOT BUT DON'T GET OVERBOARD

1. We have every right to celebrate. We have every right to shout. We have every right to mock them. Because a win is a win. No matter how Sir Alex Ferguson cursed the referee for not giving any penalties for the tough-cracking tackles made by Carra. Or that Carra should have been booked for stopping the Judas. Who cares! The goals were legitimate. The goals were correct. It wasn't a mere luck. It was Liverpool at his best. Especially when confronting the arch-enemy in Manchester United. We won it out right! Yeah...!!!!
   
   
2. The concerned now would be can we sustained the momentum? Can we see the consistency? That means we have to beat Arsenal this Thursday early morning (Malaysian time). And for that, we must calm down and set our foot back to the ground, back to reality and put aside the partying for a moment.
   
   
3. This doesn't mean we should leave the fact that we have just beaten the so-called mighty Red Devil but it would be an act of maturity in all of us - Liverpool fans. We do and should cherish the win against Man.U but it was only one game in a season. (Though some would say, we can lose 4 games but nothing compares when you beat Man.U). There's still massive games awaits us in coming months and a very soon crunch game against those young kids of Arsenal a day after tomorrow.
   
   
4. Should we be worried? We're not invisible at all. We lost to Sunderland. We lost to the beach ball...! We have lost 4 games on the trot. Thus ensuring all of us to be realistic and down to earth when talking about our beloved club. Do not try to be loud and arrogant like those Man.U or slickly like Chelsea. Maintain our composure and the right attitude for Liverpool is simply to hold on to the fact that we have beaten Man.U. And on the same breath, we shouldn't be talking aloud about title-chase. It is alive, rejuvenated or whatever, but it's still a long shot. The only certainty would be from the team itself. If they maintain the style of hard work and aggressiveness like in the Man.U game, even Real Madrid we can do harm. But if we play like we did in the previous games of losses... well, say sayonara to the title chase.
   
   
5. I have been bombarding the Facebook with all sorts of pictures & writing mocking the Man.U defeats. Above is one of the photos that I took without permission from the FB. Feel free to cut & paste it, and slot it into your own domain. After all, we hold the rights to belittling them. hahaha.... PUAS HATI AKU!