Since when did Liverpool become a supplying club for the others?

This rain jacket could be the most expensive that I ever paid for but to commemorate the Liverpool trip to Singapore... I think I just close my eyes when I pay the credit card next month! hahaha

1. SERIOUSLY, I don’t remember when did Liverpool become a supplying club or a feeder of sort for the others? This summer (wow... speaking from a dual-season country!) we have lost Arbeloa to Real Madrid and very soon our man-in-the-holding-area Xabi Alonso. That makes 2. If you count Jerzy Dudek and that-scum Michael Owen, we have 4 Liverpool alumni in Bernabeu. Ohhh I forgot... Mr McManaman who had a cameo as an assistant coach for the Real team in the GOAL 2 movie... So it’s 5. Sigh...
   


2. And another worrying possibility is Javier Mascherano. He is still wanted by Barcelona and his sibling doesn’t help at all. If Rafa relented and Mascherano insisted, that means we have to built our midfield fort all over again, and that means we will have a massive issue on our hands to win the league next season.
   


3. Again, since when did Liverpool become a supplying club for the others?
   Let me think.
   
   
   Hmm... is this the unknown set-back from Rafa’s policy of purchasing players from Spain? And now the big club over there are hunting them back like a bunch of coyotes. It’s funny even with the Spanish players themselves. Whenever the likes of Real Madrid or Barcelona come knocking, they just couldn’t say no. In fact, the scene was so obscene that as if they will jump with joy just for a simple news report purporting the interest of those two. I think it would be the same for any English player who plays in Europe when one of the Big 4 come to pinch you... Remember Mr Owen Hargreaves of Bayern Munich? I guess it’s normal.
   


4. How many Spanish player left in the squad now? Reira, Reina and Torres. Since they’re not wanted by any club this time around, that doesn’t mean that they won’t be so the next time. January may be? Wow... why must I question the loyalty of the Spanish players as if the other internationals in the squad are not immune to the approaches?
   


5. I guess it has got to do with some sort of a frustration in me. Seeing our best players leaving is never a beautiful sight or something that you can swallow easily. It was the same when Owen first left for Real Madrid. (Though I didn’t feel the same when Kewell or Sissoko or Risse left. It is really disturbing to see Alonso leaving.) When Alonso’s playing, that would allowed Gerrard to play as a second striker to Torres, whilst Mascherano doing the breaking and tackling. That’s when Liverpool transformed into the most lethal squad. It became a bit sentimental to think that the only opportunity given to me to watch Alonso’s in action in Singapore, was he’s last with the Reds. Damned it.
   
   

Arbeloa : He came unnoticed, he left with a big profile

when you're in Spain, even in the clinic also you can allow the press to enter...

1. WHEN he's first introduced to the Kop in 2007, it was shocking to say the least. Not much was known about him, aside that he was bought from Deportivo de la Coruna. The shocking part is that he was lined up in the first 11 against Barcelona with a specific task - to stop Lionel Messi and amazingly, he did it rather quite well!... His part in keeping Messi quiet helped Liverpool to a 2–1 win over the defending champions.



2. Thus when we saw his name in the starting line-up the whole season, we have this comfort in our hearts that our backline is as solid as we could be - combined with our rock - Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyppia, Skrtel, Daniel Agger and sometimes on form, sometimes not, Aurelio. Of course, last season we saw a weird spectacle when Carragher pushed and scolded Arbeloa for failing to stop an opponent advancement in our penalty box.



3. Now, after 99 games altogether - Arbeloa is returning to his natives land and to be precise, his Alma mater - Real Madrid. He could be the cheapest player the galacticos are assembling now. But no matter for Arbeloa because for him it's like coming home.



4. He should be thank full to Rafa and Liverpool. Because of the chances given to him, he made it to the Spanish squad and attracted the crazy Real Madrid owner (crazy when you pay £80 million for a scum).
   

Xabi Alonso is in Madrid - completing his departure from Liverpool...

Marca's front page on Tuesday shows Xabi Alonso at Madrid's Barajas airport on Monday.

1. Knowing fully well about the world of football, I try not to be saddened with the imminent departure of our midfield maestro. This is not a doomsday. Alonso is one of our best performer and his ability to pin-point a passed is also a legend. But when you're wanted by a club like Real Madrid and the fact that it was Alonso's former club, what can you do? What can Rafa do? Alonso has to be allowed to leave. It's the same case with Arbeloa.
   
   
2. People might be crying and debating that Alonso's calibre is a hard act to replace. May be it's true. May be not. My argument would be: trust Rafa to find his replacement. Not necessarily that the player must possessed similar skill (because it's hard to do so) but someone who can be a holding player in the midfield. Or else, Gerrard would be returned to his natural position and Rafa would only have to look for a second striker for Torres.
   
   
3. Surely, Rafa can find a brilliant replacement - just like what he did when he first chose Alonso and Luis Garcia. To us who doesn't follow La Liga that much, we couldn't identified with other players than the popular ones in Real Madrid or Barcelona. But Alonso was picked from Real Sociedad! And Rafa knew how good Alonso was then. So now, when we are on the verge of losing Alonso, we must return to our fundamental and put our trust on Rafa to bring in some interesting midfielder in the same mold and class like Alonso to Anfield. (Though Dossena is a case in point for Rafa must avoid in future dealings...)
   
   
4. And who knows Alonso might have a change of heart and return to Anfield?... hmmm...
   
   

LIVERPOOL FC in Singapore (AWESOME TRIP!...)

No Daniel... call the cab now... I am starving! (Taken from Kajang-Today's photo album)

At the steps of Anfield... hmmm Kallang Stadium to be exact... (Kajang-Today's album)

While I joined the crowd brandishing the banner, that no.7 fella chose to stand still... what la... (Kajang-Today's album) And below are the photos from my own camera...

No drinks were allowed, so we have to finish it outside. It was an isotonic drink yaaa...

That guy wearing a crown paints retro kit is Zaidi a.k.a Kajang-Today. The jersey was brand new and he was nonchalantly changed his shirt in the cab - to the silent bemusement of the driver. hehehe

This were `our people'... in the Kallang Stadium...

I have to give Daniel a crash-course on how to take a proper shot. This is blur laaaa...

The chanting & singing was as loud when we're leaving the stadium and like an army of reds, the view was quite breathtaking!

1. To be among your `own people' - in a sea of red shirts, chanting and singing the familiar songs, together in a mexican waves, celebrating the goal fiesta of 5 and of course, Fernando Torres's goal was as authentic as we see in the TV and why Dirk Kuyt is highly rated by Rafa... he was instrumental in the 2 goals and always a threat on the right flank. To see with your own eyes, to feel the magnitude of the stadium and to held high the LFC scarf while singing YNWA - was surreal for me. hmmm... I'll do it again next season...
   
   
2. I started the journey from home at about 6.30am on Sunday and midway was met with a heavy rain. Kajang-Today was waiting for me at a mamak stall in Jalan 2 off Jalan Chan Sow Lin. That was the earliest breakfast I ever had since last Ramadan. The last member of our entourage was Daniel and we stopped again at Ayer Keroh for another breakfast. We arrived in JB at about 12.30 noon.
   
   
3. We crossed the causeway at about 2.30pm and met with an old friend of Daniel's who took us to some interesting shopping mall. I must say that Queensway is the place that all of you must go when ever you're in that island republic. Not only the choices were great, but also if you're lucky (like us) we got some cool discounts. Kajang-Today bought himself a retro jersey with no.7 at the back. He said it was Kenny Daghlish. I got myself a rain-jacket which I have been eyeing for many moons and another shirt for a cool S$55 (in KL it is priced RM220).
   
   
4. Because of that also, we were `almost' late to go to the Kallang Stadium located on the other side of the island. While walking towards the stadium you could see people emerging from every corner wearing the Liver bird attire. Be it the current jersey or the yester years collection, including the not-so-memorable yellow Reebok...
   
   
5. We were eyeing also for some stalls that could be selling merchandise within the stadium vicinity but to no avail. Oppss... it's Singapore, man! They don't do this kind of business... So we went in and of course, all the lower level seating were already fully occupied and we have to find a quite high-altitude seating. Never mind, as long as we're there... the mission is accomplished.
   
   
6. We made it back to Stulang at about 11pm and were starving like mad. We ordered some serious foods and to my astonishment, the bill was only RM50! That's a friction of what I have expected with ikan pari bakar masak sambal, tomyam campur, daging merah, kerabu mangga and two rounds of drinks. By the time we reach our hotel, it was a matter of seconds to switch off everything! Too exhausted already.And we arrived back to KL at about 12.30pm and I was sleeping the whole afternoon... jet-lag?
   
   
7. I don't wish to write too long about the game, after all... the gap between the Singaporean first 11 were huge. They obviously not on the same par with Liverpool, thus the score line. But Kuyt was so impressive. I have never ridiculed him and now I am more determined that Kuyt will be playing forever with Liverpool and on his way to become another legend for us.
   
   
8. I told Kajang-Today over and over again that from now on, we must start a proper planning to go to Anfield, within this year. The air ticket won't be an issue because aside than AirAsia, our own national carrier is competing nicely with them and therefore, will offer some interesting package to the UK. However, the most challenging part would be to get a ticket into the stadium. I will have to ask for your help to assist in this matter - in any way. Perhaps, we should do it in a bigger ways? All the LFC bloggers joining in and have a historic visit to Anfield? Prepare RM5k at least.

Farewell to Dossena (less 17 hours left for the Liverpool Asia Tour's trip to Singapore!)

Rafa with his most-puzzled players...

1. FORCED to play futsal for 2 hours straight due to the non-appearance of the regulars (there were 14 guys only last night and 2 had to leave the court within an hour for various reasons...), I found myself still drowsy in bed well close to 11.30am. I had to struggle to get up eventually.
   


2. After reading some online football news, I found 2 good news relating to the club. One is that Gerrard has been acquited though he might be ridiculed now as a BOXER...
   
   
3. And second, Mr Dossena is supposedly-on-the-verged of leaving Anfield (though he is with the squad now in Singapore... I suspect I would be watching him live tomorrow!). According to news reports, Napoli have confirmed they are in talks with Liverpool over a £6million move for Italy left back Andrea Dossena. The Serie A side's Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik has been linked with Liverpool as part of the negotiations.
   


4. The preparation for the Singapore trip has been completed. It's just a matter of ensuring I have a proper sleep tonight so that I can wake up on time tomorrow before I fetch Kajang-Today in KL. Then we're scheduled for a lunch in JB before proceeding to Singapore. The excitement is high, anticipation is enormous... well, I bought the ticket 2 months ago and it's now less than 17 hours to go. hehehe...

Thailand 1 - LFC 1 (4 days to go for the Singapore trip)

In Gold Coast, Brisbane last November. Look closely at the attire I'm wearing... still pondering if I should wear it to Singapore...

1. I supposed many of you watched the match last night, between the Kops and Everton... errr... Thailand (the blue kit them wearing is so similar especially the sponsor's name on their stomach). I couldn't watch the first half (so missed the actual babel's score) due to my commitment to work (I was in the office) and only by 10.15pm my pages completed. So then I ensure myself comfortable seating in front of the TV. Unfortunately, a few players I couldn't named, in particular the goalie. I can't hear what the commentators were uttering (can't go too loud in the office and I really don't want to listen to Shebby Singh).
   
   
2. I will not comment on the game. Similar to the Scum's tactic last week, no one play hard (with exception of Javier Mascherano who was yellow-carded!). But I THANK GOD I didn't go to Bangkok as it was raining in the second half. I just hope that this Sunday there won't be any rain down south.
   
   
3. Yesterday I just realised that my passport is due to expire in January. Less than 5 months. So this morning I rushed to the Shah Alam's Immigration Dept and to my utter delight, the whole procedures took me approximately 2 hours! And to me this is efficient. I must salute the department and the working system that they applying to their best of ability. I didn't have to wait or pissed off. Every thing went smoothly. Even when I came 15 minutes earlier than what I am supposed to, my passport is all in order. How I wish that my office's account dept. could emulate the Immigration Dept in terms of efficiency when I submit the claim...

LFC ARRIVED IN BANGKOK BUT GERRARD HAD TO SEE A JUDGE...

THANK GOD that Xabi came to Bangkok... Xabi stay with us. Forget Madrid.

1. I have to analyse and listen to your opinion. Is this a set back or blessing in disguised? Our captain had to stay home due to his court case. He won't be in Bangkok nor Singapore. Since I have paid RM215 for the ticket and made advance arrangement for a special transportation to the southern region, I really wanted to think positive and enjoy the soon-to-be 4 hours trip with our fellow bloggers.
   
   
2. The other positive note is that there is Xabi Alonso joining the trip. It means (at least for now), Alonso won't be that too near to Madrid. There were many reports saying that if Alonso stayed in Europe, there is likelihood that spells the end of his stint with us. But since now he is with the squad, that mellowed down the speculation... at least til the last day of the transfer window.
   
   
3. In the press conference, Rafa confessed that he won't be using the Spanish armada in full swing but sparringly. This is due to their `extra games' where Spain participated in the Confederation Cup last month. Does this mean Kajang-Today will be excited because he'll get to shout at Lucas Leiva for more longer period?
   
   
4. Hmmm.... I've been waiting for 2 months for this week to come and I am adamant that even Gerrard is not coming (we try to understand he's predicament and please next time don't get yourself involved in such stupid incidents) and the Spanish players are not fit... I will ensure the trip down south will be a positive, productive and enjoyable experience... as a prelude to the eminent Anfield trip after Aidilfitri, Insyallah!
   

Manchester United 3 - 2 Malaysia (Mohd. Amri Yahyah made Liverpool fans PROUD!)

1. Humiliated? Almost. May be. May be not. You know during friendly matches, the professionals will tend to play below par and saved their breath and most importantly, avoiding injuries prior to the resumption of the new season next month. But the goals by Amri is no fluke. (Oppsss... I didn't watch the game proper, I saw the goal in the news bulletin while waiting for my food at a restaurant last night).
   


2. Yes, Amri's goals were no fluke nor lucky. First goal was Amri's perfect imitation of Xabi Alonso's technique and the second is doing what Torres is very good at. Finishing what is supposed to be finished. And Man.U had to rely on a former Scouse to save their blushes. Oh how we resent you now Mr Michael Owen.
   


3. To my astonishment, the Scum will have a second game next Tuesday here in KL, due to what happened in Jakarta. Poor Indons. Lucky bastards for the Scums in Malaysia.
   


4. I went for a shopping yesterday. And I found an LFC round-neck shirt priced at RM119.90 and got a 20% discount over it. So I paid only RM95.90. It's last season version (got the ``WE'RE LIVERPOOL'' at the back bottom of the shirt (photo above). Not sure if that's what I gonna wear to Singapore next Sunday.
   
   
5. Read from the news saying : if Xabi Alonso join the Far East tour, means he'll stay with us. If not, means he is heading to Spain. We shall see if he landed with the team in Bangkok.
   
   

CALLING ALL BLOGGERS WHO IS GOING TO SINGAPORE!!!

utusanLFC (right) is introduced to Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd during a media session on July 6, 2009

1. As I've announced, I will be travelling to Singapore on July 26, together with like-minded bloggers - Kajang-Today, Gary and one mystery person.
   
   
2. So, is there any possibilities for all of you - those who are heading south also, to meet up with us near the National Stadium or inside the stadium prior to the match? Someone should carry the Malaysian flag but not the green moon one...
   
   
3. I think my group will be merging with the LSCM entourage - to ensure Malaysian Kop's spirit is well documented that night!
   
   
4. So you guys, please confirmed and then we can get together. After the match, we can all go to Mustapha hypermarket for late night shopping. hahaha....
   
   

When Manchester United visit Malaysia

1. In football sense, of course we wish our own football club could do us the honour and visit our place. Never mind, we still can go to Singapore for that matter. That's why when Mr.TR trying to show off his media pass for the THE SCUM visit to me the other night, I nonchalantly said : ``bro, why do you want to show me your PAS TANDAS (Toilet Pass)?''...
   


2. Then I was offered twice by good friends to watch their trainings. Both got my HAIRDRYER TREATMENT... To ask a Liverpool Fan to go for THE SCUM match is tantamount to a direct insult. hehehe.... I might take some match tickets though... who knows, people might want to pay premium for it... hahaha
   


3. For the record, this Wednesday morning is a glory day, simply because when I woke up it was raining and the coldness soothed my mind and my spirit to face another day in the office. Aminnnnnn!