Match Report 060226 vs Manchester City: Another good result but average performance

1-0 and the result is good, although we should have kill off the game much earlier given we have 1 extra man for more than half an hour. Crouch is unlucky not to score but Nando's form is worrying. Need to sort out ASAP.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Made many saves and interception to keep the score at 1-0.
Finnan: 6.5 A good defensive display.
Hyypia: 6.5 Lead the defense well.
Agger: 6 A bit hestitate and not familiar with his teammates.
Riise: 6.5 Good defensive display.
Kromkamp: 6 Played as right midfielder but did not provivde too many good crosses.
Gerrard: 8 Provided the crucial assist and lead the team well.
Alonso: 6 Played a bit part but was then injuried. Form is not good though.
Kewell: 7.5 Scored a great goal and could have score more.
Crouch: 7.5 Lots of chances but James was good.
Morientes: 6. Worrying. Have a sitter but failed to shot with any power.

Substitutions:
Hamann: 6.5 Another good display. Provided a killer pass to Nando but he failed to score.
Luis Garcia/Traore: Not enough time to shine.

Rafa: 7 Good team display, but still need to solve the lack of goal.

Manchester City: 6.5 Good at home but poor in travel. I really hope they can respond and challenge for a UEFA place.

Man of the Match: Gerrard. Killer assist and was happy back to his favorite middle.

My del.icio.us tagrolls

We need a response

After the midweek dismal result we certainly need a result to cheer up. Fowler will not be eligible to play this game, so the other three guys need to do the job. Carra will also take a break as he got his 5th yellow so Agger get another chance to impress. And win it for Momo. We certainly miss you.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Agger
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060221 at Benfica: We need the Kop

0-1 and once again we contolled the match but could not score, and at the end a defensive error was made and we were defeated. It seems that as Stevie G is injuried we just cannot have the penetration to get through. Luis Garcia is too lightweight and should only play as a sub at Benfica. Anyway we still have the 2nd leg and it can be Olympiakos 2nd coming.

Player Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Nothing to do but then suddenly conceded a goal.
Finnan: 6.5 A good game.
Carragher: 7 Captain Carra did his job well but cannot convince the players to score a goal.
Hyypia: 6.5 At a time when the strikers can't score a goal, We definitely need Sammi to score some. Remember Juventus?
Riise: 6.5 Working hard but not much impact.
Luis Garcia: 6 Too light-weighted and should start as a sub if not Gerrard's injuried.
Alonso: 6 Back from injury, but his condition is still not too good.
Sissoko: 6 Unlucky to pick up that injury. Get well soon and we need you.
Kewell: 6 We need him to score more goals. One in as many game is not enough.
Fowler: 6 Not in full fitness and only has a few half chances.
Morientes: 6 Another disappointing performance.

Substitutions:
Hamann: 6 Played well but conceded the crucial free kick that lead to the goal.
Cisse: 6 Replaced God but did not do anything convincing.
Gerrard: Not enough time to turn the tide.

Rafa: 6 Hit by injury, tried his best but at the end we were frustuated by the lack of fire power once again. He won't be happy in the way we conceded the goal. But it's only half time and we have enough time and support from the Kop to turn it around.

Befica: 6.5 Would be happy to come to Anfield with a goal in hand.

Man of the Match: Carragher. The vice captain has another good game once again.

斷背山

每個人心裏都有一個斷背山，只是你沒有上去過 。

作為一個真正忠於自己的人，最重要的不是為了取得別人的掌聲，而是做自己要做、應做的事，堅持自己固有的信念，追求自己的理想以至夢想，即使夢想無法實現，即使到自己臨終時夢想也只是一個遺憾。但這一生總算沒有白過了。

If I die today I can say I fulfiled the above. But can I still fulfil this if I live longer? Only time will tell, but I will try my best.

We achieved your dream

One particular banner on Saturday's FA Cup tie vs Manchester United was "We achieved your dream". Of course this refer to our winning the Champions League last season, but once again, we are going to help our neighbor to achieve their dream of beating Benfica. Alonso is back, Fowler will play his first European game for many years, and with 3 consecutive 1-0 wins, the confidence will be high. And of course, Rafa is well prepared.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Hamann
Kewell
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060218 vs Manchester United: Job completed professionally

1-0 and although it is not pretty, but it is a job completed professionally. They never have a clear cut chance throughout the match and although we cannot score another goal to win it more comfortably, the 1-0 is enough to make us 1 step closer to win the FA Cup.

This time we controlled the pace and ruled midfield. All the players have been superb. The 3 cleansheet wins in a row will boast our confidence in visiting Portugal on Tuesday.

On a sad note. It is really sad to see Alan Smith get injuried. This is a freak injury and let's hope he can get well soon.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Return from suspension and have almost nothing to do.
Finnan: 8 Doing superbly on both ends, with an assist, a shot to the side net, and ditched van Nistelrooy for their own real chance.
Carragher: 7 Muted the Man United offense. Unlucky to pick up a yellow card, but it is good as he need to take a break.
Hyypia: 7 Good performance at the back
Riise: 7 Good performance, his shot has broken Alan Smith's leg but it is just a freak injury.
Gerrard: 7 Lead the team as usual.
Sissoko: 7 Lively in the midfield goings ups and downs.
Hamann: 7 Provided the solid protection to the back four and muted the opponent midfield.
Kewell: 7 When Harry met Gary :) Set the tone for the game as he muscled Neville out.
Crouch: 7.5 Beautiful header. Nice to see him on the score sheet again.
Morientes: 6.5 His runs are getting better but he need to score a goal ASAP to get his confidence back.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Could have scored when he is through but was pulld down by Videc.
Kromkamp/Cisse: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 Excellent tactics focusing on the United's weaknesses. Spot on!

Manchester United: 6 League Cup is their own prize this season and Mellor will shot them down next Sunday. After that it will depends on the players psycology as they have nothing to win for except the second place. But we will edge pass them for the second place.

Man of the Match: Finnan. Unsung hero for so long.

5th time lucky

It's the fifth time we play United under Rafa. We have not yet win, but like the Chelsea fixture this is now 5th time lucky for us. With Luis the big match player started to pick up form, now is the time.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Gerrard
Sissoko
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060214 vs Arsenal: Luis the Valentine Hero

1-0 and with his first touch Luis Garcia is the hero for the victory. The race to second place is still on, and this is another timely win before the next big games.

The players still look very tired but at least we can control the pace of the game. We have lots of chances but find it difficult to find the net. Luckily Luis Garcia was alert as ever and present at the right place at the right time.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 7 Another good display. He will probably be back to subsitute for at least the next 2 games, but Rafa should give him another chance when we play Manchester City.
Finnan: 6.5 A good defensive display.
Carragher: 7 Had a good 400th game. What a man!
Hyypia: 7 After his last goal he is more eager to shot. We would like to see more.
Riise: 6.5 Tested Lehmann several times but mostly off target.
Gerrard: 6.5 Missed a penalty that is a bit controvesial, but his performance was not affected.
Alonso: 6 Tired. Rafa should rest him in the Manchester City game.
Sissoko: 6.5 Doing the dirty works well.
Kewell: 6.5 Take lots of shots but mostly off target, including a spectacular overhead kick.
Fowler: 6.5 Getting better and better in terms of fitness. Too bad he is cup-tied for the FA Cup, but at least he will be ready for the Benfica game.
Morientes: 6 Another unconvinving display with 2 miskicks which he should at least take a shot on target.

Substitutions:
Hamann: 7 A nice shot that forced Lehmann to parry the goal for Luis Garcia to score.
Cisse: 6 Not too convincing...
Luis Garcia: 7.5 The hero. He is the first one to react when Lehmann parried the ball and deserve to score. Welcome back at the right time!

Rafa: 6.5 His master-stroke substitutes work this time. But still haven't solve the goal draught.

Arsenal: 6 Will be difficult to catch Spurs with this performance, but they looks similar to what we were last year. Champions League in sight?

Man of the Match: Luis Garcia. Like last year he starts to sparkle at this time of the season. And we need him desperately.

3 games to shape this season

As Rafa said the next 3 games will shape our season. It starts with Arsenal, who is very poor in away games but with 2 defenders back. The key for us is to keep a high pace like what we did last season. This is also the last game for Dudek to convince Rafa, although it will be difficult but don't give up and give us your best. And the strikers please start to score.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Cisse
Morientes

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060213 at Wigan Athletic: A good result despite poor performance

1-0 and it is really important to start the winning habit before the critical period in the coming week. We did not play too well as the players are tired, but at least we get a result and this is most important.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 7 A much better performance and had to stretch well enough to keep the clean sheet, especially in preventing Hyypia from scoring an own goal.
Finnan: 6.5 A good performance but not much contribution to the attack.
Carragher: 7 A nice volley for the assit to Sami.
Hyypia: 7.5 A good goal scored. Could have scored 1 more at both ends.
Riise: 6.5 Same as Finnan.
Gerrard: 7 Good performance after come back from injury.
Alonso: 6 A quiet game. Fatigue factor is clearly affecting his performance.
Hamann: 7 A good performance and doing his job quietly.
Kewell: 6 A quiet perforamnce.
Fowler: 6 First start but only have 1 scoring chance.
Morientes: 6 Had a nice volley saved.

Substitutions:
Kromkamp: 6.5 Doing well this time.
Cisse: 6 Not much contribution.

Rafa: 6.5 Should be glad on the result but not the performance. Need to help Luis Garcia to be back to form ASAP.

Wigan Athletic: 6 A good performance given they have no recognized striker available. Good luck on the League Cup Final and we will be backing you.

Man of the Match: Hyypia. A nice goal and good all-round performance.

Let's move on

It's another away game and we need to pick up the winning habit sooner rather than later. Wigan's focus is now in the league cup, and if we can beat them and Arsenal on Tuesday, the outlook will be much better.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Kromkamp
Carragher
Agger
Warnock
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Cisse
Morientes

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060208 at Charlton Athletic: Learn from mistakes

0-2 and we did not win in the last 4 away league games - 1 draw and 3 defeats. The fatigue factor now kicks in, and we also make lots of mistakes. Rafa need to sort it out ASAP.

Once again we misfired despite creating lots of chances with no Gerrard to score. And the defense unit just fail as a whole. And after the 2 goals conceded Charlton just play counter attack comfortably and almost hit us with another 2 chances.

We should still be able to finish 2nd though as there is still lots of games remaining.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 5.5 A poor comeback. Maybe guilty for the penalty, and was beaten at least twice in 2H but the goal post saved him.
Finnan: 6 One of the better player.
Carragher: 5.5 Lost his temper after the first goal and then partly guilty for the second goal.
Hyypia: 6 Time to score, Sami.
Traore: 5.5 Not too bad.
Cisse: 5.5 Starting to see some flash in 2H but then was substituted.
Alonso: 6.5 Create lots of chances for the strikers but no fruit.
Sissoko: 6 Played well defesnsively, have 4 shots but none on target. Isn't he a striker before in France?
Kewell: 6 His tricks doesn't work this time.
Crouch: 5.5 Failed to make any impact.
Morientes: 5.5 Mystery of not being substituted.

Substitutions:
Fowler: 5.5 Failed to make any impact at all.
Riise: 5.5 Not much he can do.
Kromkamp: Not enough time to make a real impact.

Rafa: 5 He needs to motivate the team and find someone to score ASAP.

Charlton Athletic: 7 You have to give them credits. Despite us controlling at least before the 2 goals, they were tightly defending and also play counter attack well in 2H.

Man of the Match: Alonso. But just the better one in a poor team performance.

Welcome back, Jersy

With Reina suspended it will be time for Dudek to resurrect his career. Three games to prove his worth. Together with Stevie G's injury there will be another resuffle tonight. And we need to start scoring goals.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Kromkamp
Carragher
Agger
Warnock
Luis Garcia
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Fowler
Crouch

Result: 2-0

Match Report 060205 at Chelsea: A Poor Game

0-2 and it was a very disappointed result. Not that because we lost but because of our continuous problem of lack of a cutting edge finishing. Before Chelsea scored the first goal they have not a single shot on target. For us? We havel lots of half chances and couldn't take any. This is the major reason we lost.

As for Reina's red card, he need to learn how to react when an opponent stir up fire. But maybe it's a chance for Dudek to recapture his World Cup position. And we are now feeling the fatigue factor.

Perhaps it is good to lose this match. We can now focus on more realistic goals (ie, finishing 2nd, and try our best in Champions League and FA Cup). But we need to improve our finishing and set-pieces.

Player Rating:
Reina: 5 Should not raise his hand. Lesson learnt.
Finnan: 6 One of the better player.
Carragher: 7 Lead by example.
Hyypia: 6 Had a good game but we miss his goals.
Warnock: 5 At fault in covering Crespo for the offside position, and shaky.
Gerrard: 6 Had a shot saved by Cech. And maybe it's time to let others to take corners.
Alonso: 5.5 One of his poorer game with lots of missed passes.
Sissoko: 6.5 Was controlling midfield before we lost the first goal.
Riise: 6 Not too effective.
Kewell: 6 With a shot close to target.
Crouch: 5.5 No real impact on the game.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6 Come and off, but can't change the score line.
Ciise/Dudek: Does Cisse play? At least Dudek made a good save.

Rafa: 5 Need to solve the problem of lack of goal and our set-piece conversion. It's really no point just to win corner and shots but without any goals.

Chelsea: 6.5 A dirty performance. I really don't think they have the attitude to be called "Champion". Let Barcelona teach them a lession.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Prevent us from further humiliation.

Don't let the dream die - yet

If we still want to have the dream of winning the title, we must win this game - although winning it may not be enough. The team is a bit tired currently, but we still need to keep a high tempo to have any real chance to win. Although Rafa hinted he may start Fowler but I think he would play a 4-5-1 to pack the midfield. But I may be wrong.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Luis Garcia
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Crouch

Result: 1-0

Match Report 060201 vs Birmingham City: The party was spoiled

1-1 and as Rafa said it is a disappointing result. Look at the fact: We have 25 shots with 10 on target and can only score one, yet for Birmingham they have 3 shots and 2 on target. And on a night when Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal slips, we definitely should win the game.

The result make Birmingham remains 1 of the 4 teams Rafa's team has yet beaten. The other twos are Manchester United (which we will beat them on 2/18) and Sao Paolo (which we should have won) and Burnley (which was a shame to lose).

As Rafa said if you are winning 1-0 and creating lots of chances and them with 10 men, you should win the game, but we just couldn't find the goal.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7 Did well to parry away the Heskey header but couldn't prevent Alonso to score the own goal.
Finnan: 6.5 Provided some crossing but didn't make a big impact.
Agger: 6.5 A nice debut, saw him go up front quite often, almost conceded a goal due to lack of concentration, and almost scored on his debut.
Hyppia: 6.5 Commanding performance.
Riise: 6.5 Not much to do at the back, but failed to make an impact going up.
Luis Garcia: 6 Return from injury and still picking up his match fitness. Should have scored.
Gerrard: 7.5 Scored a goal and then rested.
Hamann: 6 Not much contribution.
Kewell: 7 Lively, but just couldn't find the net.
Crouch: 5.5 Not a good game, though his look when substituted was quite innocent.
Morientes: 7 Have another nice assist and should have scored or provide another few more assists.

Substitutions:
Fowler: 7 His movement is good, scored an overkick goal but was (correctly) ruled offside. Need more match fitness.
Alonso: 5. Dreadful own goal. Need to repay Fowler for spoiled his party.

Rafa: 6 His tactic may be wrong this time. Maybe he just want to rest Xabi and Stevie G (after his scoring) but playing at home we need more creativitely rather than steel.

Birmingham City: 6.5 Stolen 2 points from us, but they deserve it for their never-say-die spirit. But they need to improve a lot if they want to survive.

Man of the Match: Gerrard. Provided the platform for the party, but other players let him down.

Thanks Rafa for bringing Fowler back

Enough have been said in Rafa's bringing back our favorite son. You can tell from his words and his face how happy he is. To quote a few:

"It has always been a club close to my heart. I grew up supporting the other side but ever since I came to Liverpool when I was 11, I grew very close to everyone involved with the club. You put on the red shirt again and it's just an amazing feeling and I'm glad I'm going to get that opportunity again."

"Yes. I think if you pray enough for things, well I'm proof that they can happen. I'm absolutely delighted to be back. I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas morning every day now! It's fantastic and it's something that I have wanted to happen for such a long time. I am very glad that it has come about again."

And to quote the words from Rafa and Parry:

Rafa: "I don't think I've ever seen a player quite so happy to be joining a club.”

Parry: "I had to persuade Robbie to look at the contract. I think I could have put a contract in front of him with no money on it and he'd have signed it!"

Whether he will be successful in getting a longer term contract is now completely up to him. If he play well certainly he will get one, but even if he doen't play well and get one, at least he tried.

Welcome back, Robbie, and we can't wait to see you score and hold your left waist high. Lovely.

Chapter Two

Fowler will probably not start this game but expect to see him in the bench and present for 10-20 minutes. After all these years our favorite son is back to where he belong. He may not have the pace or match fitness yet, but he will contribute in terms of lifting the morale and atmosphere, and he is as deadly as he was.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Kewell
Cisse
Crouch

Result: 2-0