August Month Report

We lost our first game in August. Fortunately this is a game that we can afford to lose and it serves as a timely reminder to the player.

We continued our quest for getting into Champions League group stage and at the end of the mounth we were there. Although our Group seems to be quite strong with Chelsea, Anderlecht and Real Betis, we always survive in this kind of strong group so I am cautiously confident that we will go through the group stage. The league has also started, and we started it reasonably well with 1 win and 1 draw from 2 games, although the lack of goal seems to be a worrying sign. Baros has gone, and it is now getting more likely that Owen will be back. But I hope this does not mean Cisse will be forced out. He is such a great guy and is whole hearted to the benefit of the team, unlike that ex-player... And we finish the month on the high with Captain Carragher proudly lifted the UEFA Super Cup for us, with a great contribution from Cisse who scored 2 and assisted Luis Garcia's other goal to lead us from trailing 0-1 to winning 3-1.

Men of the Month: (1) Gerrard 7.63 (2) Cisse 7.08 (3) Alonso 7.00. Once again Gerrard was the engine for us and he fully derseve to be MVP for last year's CL. Cisse scored 4 goals in the month and we all want him to stay. Alonso as usual provided some intelligent passes and he scored a great free kick to win the Sunderland game for us.

September Prediction:
9/10 Tottenham Hotspur (A): Could be a tough game as Spurs played quite well this season.
9/13 Real Betis (A): Another tough game, but Rafa will know them very well and find a way to win it.
9/18 Manchester United (H): Their early dash this season will end here.
9/24 Birmingham City (A): A game we should be able to win.
9/28 Chelsea (H): The first of the double header vs Chelsea. Although this is an European game but this is in the Group Stage so I guess both team will treat this as a league game. But we can win it.

Match Report 050826 vs CSKA Moscow: Super Sub!

3-1 and Cisse single handed won us the cup with his 2 goals and 1 assist. I hope this will convince Rafa to keep him with us - at least as a super sub but I would say he should start.

We were dominating the game but cannot score any goal. Luis Garcia, started as a second striker behind Nando, could have scored a hat trick. A lack of concentration by the defenders saw CSKA take an underseved lead at HT.

2H was more or less the same story, with us dominating but can't score. Even the introduction of Sinama-Pongolle, which moved Luis Garcia back to right midfield, made no big difference. As the clock clicked Rafa finally introduced Cisse in the 79th minute.

Cisse immediately made an impact and scored a goal from a poor CSKA defense clearance and brough the game into extra time. And he promptly scored another goal before 1H ET from a good Luis Garcia cross. After the short break he assisted Luis Garcia and the game is wrapped up.

As Captain Carra proudly lift the cup, he credited Cisse that is was him who won us the cup, and we all want him stay. Even if Owen did return it should not be in the expense of this great lad.

Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 No much to do.
Josemi: 7 One of the better defender of the night.
Carragher: 7 Not too spectacular, but fully deserved to lift the trophy for us.
Hyypia: 7.5 A good display despite as time his slowness cause us problem.
Riise: 6.5 Midfield is now his better position and he was rightly substituted.
Finnan: 6 Started at right midfield and this is definitely not his best position.
Alonso: 6.5 Not as influential as he should be.
Hamann: 7.5 A typical Didi display.
Zenden: 7 Had a good game, even did well at left back when Riise was off.
Luis Garcia: 7 Could have score more, and he definitely need to improve his shoting skills.
Morientes: 6 Another dull performance. He needs improvement right away!

Substitutions:
Sinama-Pongolle: 6.5 His lack of match fitness is obvious.
Sissoko: 6.5 Another good display by the young and energetic man.
Cisse: 8 Super Sub! I wish this can convince Rafa to let him stay.

CSKA Moscow: 6 It would be a steal if they won the trophy, but the scoreline is a bit flattered us.

Rafa: 7 Maybe his timing of introducing Cisse was inch perfect. A derseved victory.

Man of the Match: Cisse. We need more of this kind of performance!

Carra to lift the trophy tonight

European Super Cup may just be a larger scale Community Shield, but as Rafa said a big club like Liverpool is formed to win trophy, so we will treat this game seriously. I think Stevie G won't mind to take a break (at most at a sub) and let his mate Carra to lift the cup as Liverpool captain?

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Sissoko
Hamann
Cisse
Alonso
Zenden
Morientes

Result 2-0

Match Report 050823 vs CSKA Sofia: We finally reach there

0-1 and despite we lost our first (of not many) game of the season, we still qualify for the Group Stage. We do have lots of chances but can never realize. With Baros gone and Owen may be coming, it will be an interesting week.

The plus side of the game is that Sissoko performed another great performance and it is nice to see Sinama-Pongolle back to the first team. Also, Le Tallec scored on his debut for his loan spell in Sunderland.

Player Rating:
Carson: 6.5 No chance for the goal, but did make an important tackle to maintain the score at 0-1 and pulled a few saves.
Finnan: 6.5 Another steady performance.
Josemi: 6.5 A surprised start at center back and did OK.
Hyypia: 6.5 Not really tested and not much chance to attack from set pieces.
Warnock: 6 A flat performance. Left back is also another problematic area although Rafa didn't say.
Potter: 6 Not a good performance at all and was rightly substituted in HT.
Sissoko: 7 A good performance both in terms of defending and moving up front. Have a goal denied by the post during injury time.
Hamann: 6.5 Typical Didi performance.
Riise: 7 He played very well in midfield and had a few nice free kicks. But performance seems to be lowered when moved to left back.
Morientes: 6 Another poor performance with no service.
Cisse: 6.5 Had a few chances but either saved by the goalkeeper or missed.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Played better than the last 2 games, but still need to improve.
Zenden: 6 Not much contribution for the short time on the pitch.
Sinama-Pongolle: Welcome back!

CSKA Sofia: 6.5 The goal was nicely organized. And with the aggregate score at 3-2 they seems to be always likely to to score another one.

Rafa: 6 1 goals in 3 games. Need to sort out ASAP.

Men of the Match: Sissoko and Riise. Both were eye-catching in this poor game.

A cautious game

Although we lead by 3-1 but with Gerrard injuried, there is some uncertainty. The strikers need to try to score goals, and midfielders please provide some service.

My Team Prediction:
Carson
Barragan
Whitbread
Carragher
Riise
Potter
Sissoko
Hamann
Zenden
Morientes
Cisse

Result 2-0

050820 vs Sunderland: We need to improve

1-0 and we didn't play well but win. Although Sunderland never really threatened us but with the score stays at 1-0 and we cannot get the second goal, it is always scary. And Stevie G is injuried and will miss the Sofia game. Let's hope he can recover in time for the European Super Cup.

Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 A spectator
Finnan: 6.5 A fair display
Carragher: 6.5 Not much to do
Hyypia: 6 His pace seems to be a bigger worry this season
Warnock: 6 Still not convincing in left back
Sissoko: 7 Another good show in midfield. Didi's place is in danger
Cisse: 6.5 Definitely not a right midfielder. Rafa need to buy
Gerrard: 6.5 Unfortunate to be injuried
Alonso: 7.5 His wonder free kick win us the game
Zenden: 6 Need to provide more service
Morientes: 6 He need more service provided

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6 Not a good performance
Riise/Baros: Not enough time to show impact

Sunderland: 5.5 They didn't do much but with the score at 1-0, you always afraid they make nick one back

Rafa: 6 He definitely favors 4-5-2, but we need Crouch to play

Man of the Match: Alonso. A beauty free kick

We must win this game

This game has almost become a must win game. Although we didn't win at Boro but the signs are encouraging. The strikers should try their best to help out Stevie G though.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Zenden
Morientes
Cisse

Result 3-0

Match Report 050813 at Middlesbrough: Good performance, although result does not match

0-0 and once again we played well but didn't get the result. There are lots of positive signs like players are more confident and we are creating lots of chances, but we tried hard but cannot score a goal. The fact that at the last minutes, Boateng tried to waste time instead of organizing a last attack when Boro get a throw in near our corner flag shows how much respect they are giving us. If we can perform like this week in, week out, result will come soon.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Did make a few good punches
Finnan: 6 Not much support up front, but doing well defence-wise
Carragher: 7 Typical Carra performance
Hyypia: 6.5 Not much pressure on Sami and tried to help the attack a few times on set pieces
Warnock: 6 Similar comment as Finnan
Sissoko: 7.5 A commanding performance. Rafaa will like to play this 4-1-4-1 with Sissoko as the one who protect the defence.
Luis Garcia: 6 A poor performance from his high standard
Gerrard: 8 Have at least 6 chances to score but only come close. His running from the back is really difficult for Boro to defend.
Alonso: 7 A typical Xabi performance
Zenden: 6.5 Quiet in 1H but better in 2H. It's always hard to start the first game with a new club against your old club.
Morientes: 6 No service for him, and his only contribution is a header to Gerrard whih Stevie G failed to convert.

Substitutions:
Cisse: 6.5 Lively performance although he is playing out of position
Baros: 6.5 Also lively, but failed to convert.

Middlesbrough: 5 Too negative at home. Shame on them.

Rafa: 7 Showing he knows more about the Premiership and result will come very soon

Man of the Match: Gerrard. Unfortunately it's not his day.

This is the season

Another league season starts today. Away at Boro may not be a good place to visit for the past, but with Rafa setting up the training sessions earlier and we played 5 competitive games already, we will be better equiped. We believe in Rafa.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Zenden
Morientes
Cisse

Result 2-0

Match Report 050810 at CSKA Sofia: Nando finally scores!

3-1 and it's really nice to see Nando scored a brace. As Rafa said if we provide enough service to Nando he will score. We are now in a commanding position to be back to where we should be.

We started the match a bit reserved and invited Sofia to control the game, but once again Stevie G is the catalyst to the team. His 3 superb assists tells you the story. The worrying point is when we were 2-0 up a moment of lapse of concentration by Hyypia and Warnock let Sofia to score on crucial goal right before half time, but fortunately we regained control in 2H and Nando sums up with a nice taken goal.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Make one good save but otherwise just a perdestrian
Warnock:6 Partly at fault for the goal conceded
Carra: 7 Carra as usual
Hyypia: 6 A bit too slow to let the goal conceded
Finnan: 6.5 Tried hard to help the attack
Gerrard: 8 Three excellent assists
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Work hard
Alonso: 7 Doing well in midfield
Riise: 7 Above average performance
Morientes: 8 Could have scored 5, but the most important thing is he's finally back on the scoresheet
Cisse: 7.5 Lively performance and a well deserved goal

Substitutions:
Sissoko: 6.5 Show one moment of flashes when he passed 3 defenders
Hamann: 6.5 Not much to do
Barragan: Not enough time to impress, but looks positive

CSKA Sofia: They controlled the game well in the first 20 minutes, but as soon as Cisse scored, they cannot cope with.

Rafa: 7 His insistance on Nando finally pay off. But he need to work harder on the defense.

Man of the Match: Gerrard/Morientes. Both deserve credit for their contributions to the victory.

A tougher test, but we will get through

3rd round sees us facing CSKA Sofia, a much stronger opponent than the last 2 rounds. We suddenly has a very slim team as a few players were loaned out and we have 8 injuried players. We definitely need Nando to perform to his best now.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Riise
Morientes
Cisse

Result 2-0

Match Report 050802 vs FBK Kaunas: Job well done

2-0 and once again we need Stevie G to cheer up the team. Next round will be tougher as we will be facing CSKA Sofia.

The first half was boring as we tried hard but cannot pass through the stubbon defense of Kaunas. Then in 2H Cisse comes up and suddenly the team move up one gear. The worrying signs are that Crouch is injuried and Nando is still in a poor form. We definitely need him to be back to his best soon.

Player Rating:
Carson: 6.5 Not much to do but look commanding
Finnan: 6.5 Not really tested but need to move up one gear for the start of the season
Hyypia: 7 Commanding the back, and unlikey to hit the bar
Whitbread: 6.5 He certainly take his chance well. Keep up to challenge Sami and Jamie!
Warnock: 6.5 Good display
Garcia: 7 Work hard and his assist to Cisse is inch perfect
Hamann: 6.5 A fair display, but the lack of Xabi and Stevie G in 1H really mean we lack creativity
Sissoko: 7 A commanding figure in the center. He will be challenging Didi this season
Zenden: 7 Quiet in 1H, but performed much better in 2H
Morientes: 6 I am getting worried about him and he is rightly substituted
Crouch: 6.5 Did provide flashes of his useful especially when Cisse come up but is injuried and substituted

Substitutions:
Cisse: 7.5 A nice display and scored a well deserved goal
Potter: 6 A fair display on the right
Gerrard: 8 Even though he is only on the pitch for 16 minutes but his contributions are priceless

Kaunas: 6 Not really creating any troubles to us. The match is already won in the first leg.

Rafa: 6.5 Need to get Nando up to speed ASAP

Man of the Match: Gerrard. His contribution is significant.

Be careful and do your best

With a 2 goal lead and playing at home, we are favorite to go through. Just make sure we don't take it for granted.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Warnock
Potter
Gerrard
Sissoko
Zenden
Crouch
Cisse

Result 3-0