LFC 1 - Arsenal 1

Javier Mascherano... please stay in Liverpool...

1. Many would prefer to dwell on the blunder made by Pepe Reina, to give Arsenal the lucky 1 point in the evidently surprising performances by the Liverpool squad who were down to 10 men after the 2nd half due to the dismissal of Joe Cole a few minutes before the interval.
   
   
2. I don't like to blame Reina for that one blunder, it's a one off thing from our number one. He might excused himself for being late to intercept the corner ball. Well, let it be. One thing for sure, the game was exhilarating and never failed to made us sat on the edge of the sofa (it happened to me!)
   
   
3. It was a night to forget for Joe Cole. Everybody be it fans alike, even the former fans in Chelsea were looking forward what kind of impact he might bring to Anfield. Unfortunately, that silly tackled and that obnoxious ref, abruptly ended Cole's game and we have to wait for another three games before he can be reproduced into the first team.
   
   
4. There were so many things to comment. As many of you would agree, Javier Mascherano was instrumental in the match. He assisted David Ngog for that unexpected-goal strike from him. Boy! The more we want this French kid to leave (to West Brom) the more he scored... hahaha
   
   
5. Another alive & kicking and convincing new lad is of course, Mr Jovanovic. He is so strong. He successfully outmanoeuvred three young Arsenal defenders and managed to hold on to the ball. Perfect! We want that kind of tough guys. That is the virtue that has been constructed in the original Liverpool DNA as proven by our own Captain Steven Gerrard (who stopped Arshavin so many times with his bulldozing technique) and Jamie Carragher no-nonsense clear-off the ball.
   
   
6. At first, I never thought Liverpool could muster a lively attack as soon as Joe Cole is red-carded. But with 10 men, Liverpool was different in the 2nd half and scored! Of course, the continuous attack by the two Arsenal subs, changed the whole scenario. We could have both of them locked outfield. But somehow the new manager decided to rest Javier Mascherano and brought in Lucas Leiva (I thought he is already sold...).
   
   
7. It's not a doom & gloom prospect season for Liverpool. Based on the performances against those Arsenal kids, Liverpool can absolutely mount a serious challenge to any team this season. Wait til you guys see what Fernando Torres could inflict on them, when he is 100% fit. You just wait!
   

Liverpool consider Chinese takeover (wow!!!)

1. LONDON (AFP) – Premier League club Liverpool could be bought by a Chinese business tycoon within days, according to reports here on Monday.
   
   
2. Kenny Huang (pic above), head of Hong-Kong based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, is reported to be in talks with the Royal Bank of Scotland with the aim of taking full control of the club which has been up for sale since April.
   
   
3. "A deal has to be done before the transfer window closes (on 31 August)," a source close to Huang told BBC Sport.
   
   
4. "Huang has made a firm proposal. The club's board has to sanction the sale and it could be sewn up in days."
   
   
5. Huang is offering to clear Liverpool's debt to RBS and hand new manager Roy Hodgson funds to do business in the transfer window. The tycoon also plans to build the club a new stadium.
   
   
6. Huang reportedly turned down the chance to buy Liverpool in 2008 because he felt a valuation of 650 million pounds was too high, and it is believed he now values the club at around 350 million pounds (423 million euros).
   
   
7. The current owners, Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett, bought the club in March 2007 in a deal worth 218.9 million pounds.
   
   
8. The pair refinanced with a 350-million-pound package from two banks the following year but it left the 18-time English champions with a debt in the region of 105 million pounds.
   
   
9. The pair have had a difficult tenure at Anfield, with supporters regularly protesting at the level of debt taken on by the club after the buy-out, and new stadium plans.
   
   
10. If RBS decide to turn down the proposal - and no new viable bidders are forthcoming - the bank has the option of calling in their loan in October, making it important for the Reds to resolve the ownership issue as soon as possible.
    
    
11. Huang, who is backed by one of the wealthiest investment funds in the Far East, was first linked with a buyout at Liverpool two years ago.
    
    
12. He is well known in China for his interests in baseball and basketball, and last year bought a 15 percent stake in NBA side Cleveland Cavaliers.
    
    
13. Huang is believed to have already spoken to senior figures at Anfield to express his seriousness about a buy-out and in the hope that his message filters down to help persuade top stars like Fernando Torres, who returned to training on Monday after his post-World Cup break, the club does have a better future.