Time to stand up

After the defeat at Blackburn we are facing two tough games. We seldom beat Spurs at home, and they are on fire at home at the moment, but we need to get a result. Time to stand up.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Luis Garcia
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result: 1-0

Match Report 061226 at Blackburn: Back to square one

0-1 and we are back to square one, with lots of chances but failed to convert. The first defeat in 7 league games sent us back to 6th place, and critics are saying our chase for CL is endangered, especially we face 2 challenges in the next 2 games. This is purely rubbish, Rafa will fix the problem soon.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Was exposed and have no chance on the goal conceded.
Finnan: 6.5 Played well as wing back.
Carragher: 6.5 Solid if not spectacular.
Hyypia: 7 The better defender.
Agger: 6.5 Solid display but get an unnecessary hand ball.
Riise: 6.5 Tried hard to help the attack.
Gerrard: 6.5 A bit affected by the illness of his daughter, but still play well.
Alonso: 7.5 Unlucky not to score at least a goal - one denied by the post, one by Friedel.
Gonzalez: 6 Disappointed performance.
Bellamy: 6 May be he got too excited by the return to Ewood Park, unfortunately this is not a game he want to remember.
Crouch: 6 Missed a hat trick.

Substitutions:
Kuyt: 6.5 Almost made an immediately when coming up.
Aurelio: 6 No impact at al.
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Tried hard but didn't get anything.

Rafa: 6 Would be disappointed by the ruthless attack.

Blackburn: At time it's 1 vs 11, but still they get 3 points. Maybe 2 points too much.

Man of the Match: Alonso. Very unfortunate not to have scored.

Get a result

It was against Blackburn that Bellamy scored his first league goal for us, and this is the first real test of the Christmas season. Rafa will probably rotate a few players, but Bellamy is on fire and will guide us to another victory.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Aurelio
Bellamy
Crouch

Result 2-0

Match Report 061223 vs Watford: Patience pevails

2-0 and it was the patience of the team that finally break through the deadlock. Bellamy is again on fire and terrorizing the Watford defense from the start. Alonso is also doing well and was rewarded with a great goal. We certainly had an eye on the remaining matches of the Christmas season and the team never go beyond 2nd gear. Nevertheless the difference in class finally separated the two teams.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Not really tested apart from a few scary moments that the Watford strikers failed to shot on target.
Finnan: 7 A solid perforamance.
Carragher: 7 A bit sloopy in defense, but was unlucky not to score.
Agger: 7.5 Stands up when Carra was having a rare off day.
Riise: 7 A hard working performance.
Pennant: 7 Another good display as he picks up his form.
Gerrard: 7.5 Another good performance from center midfield.
Alonso: 8 Rewarded with a great goal.
Luis Garcia: 7.5 A lively performance on both sides of the midfield.
Bellamy: 8.5 Another great performance.
Kuyt: 7.5 Helped in both goals.

Substitutions:
Gonzalez: 7 Almost provided an assist from his first touch of the ball.
Crouch/Aurelio: 6.5 Not enough time to shine.

Rafa: 7 Another great team performance, although Rafa may concern on the lack of clinical finishing.

Watford: 6 Sadly, they look like the team to go down, especially finishing bottom of the league at Christmas.

Player of the Match: Bellamy. Bring on Blackburn.

Make sure we have a Merry Christmas

It is the festival week again and we will play 4 matches over this period, with a start at home vs Watford. With the forced "rest" in the midweek Rafa will be able to file a strong team to kick off this 4 games, and expect everybody to play a part in the period.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Luis Garcia
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result 3-0

FA Cup Rehersal

Fate has put Arsenal and us together in both the local cups, and it is a perfect time to revenge for the defeat earlier this season. Arsenal may opt for a younger squad due to their injuries and maturity of their youth team, but Rafa will no doubt play a strong team to win the game and keep the momentum running.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Aurelio
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Luis Garcia
Fowler
Crouch

Result 2-0

Match Report 061216 at Charlton Athletic: Another good result

3-0 and we have wasted many chances and could actually go double in the scoreline. Nevertheless this is a good result, especially we lost at the Valley last year and we get 3 points this year. The team is basically in a smooth running mode, Rafa just need to fine tune the attacks so that the strikers can improve the conversion rate especially away from home.

Player Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Another easy afternoon.
Finnan: 7.5 A solid performance.
Carragher: 7.5 Comfortable display.
Hyypia: 7.5 An easy outing for Sami.
Riise: 7 A good display.
Pennant: 7.5 A nice display on the side and even have a few scoring opportunities.
Gerrard: 8 Drove the team on and at the end get a well deserved goal.
Alonso: 7.5 His penalty goal kick started the rally.
Gonzalez: 7 A solid display.
Bellamy: 8.5 Scored an absolute beauty and run around the pitch all the time.
Kuyt: 7 Denied a goal by lady luck.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia: 6.5 Get a stupid yellow card.
Aurelio: 6.5 Welcome back.
Crouch: 7 A nice easy assist for Stevie G.

Rafa: 7.5 The big Red machine is running very smooth.

Charlton Athletic: 5.5 Sadly, it looks like they will get relegated.

Man of the Match: Bellamy. Building a rapport with Kuyt.

Time to catch up

Last season we drawn Charlton at home and lost to them away, not is the perfect chance to catch up. Stevie G is driven to overcome Reed, and with a good break in the week (and a funny Christmas Party) the team will have the momentum to keep winning.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Luis Garcia
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result: 2-0

Match Report 061209 vs Fulham: Scousers shines!

4-0 and this is another fine result. The team was patient and once the flood gate is opened, the goals just flow in. And it was really nice to see Carra scored the league goal of the century. Hope the next goal will come very soon. Now we need to keep up the momentum into the new year.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Made one big save in 1H to prevent Fulham scoring.
Finnan: 7.5 Impressive performance against his old club.
Carragher: 9 Scored a great goal from the far post.
Agger: 8 Two assists from the centre back? This guy is really genius.
Riise: 7 Did well at both ends.
Pennant: 7 Performed well in the attacks at both side of the pitch.
Gerrard: 9 Scored the rebound from his own penalty to open the flood gate.
Alonso: 7.5 A quiet but effective display.
Luis Garcia: 8 Scored a nice header and was impressive overall.
Kuyt: 7 Missed a glorious chance in 1H.
Bellamy: 7 Tear off the Fulham defense.

Substitutions:
Gonzalez: 7.5 Scored from a great free kick.
Fowler: 7 Unlucky not to score, but he did contribute to the free kick that lead to the Gonzalez goal.
Crouch: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 8 Another impressive display and he is very happy.

Fulham: 6 Come for 1 point, was resistant for 60 minutes but then fall apart.

Man of the Match: Carragher/Gerrard. Scousers shines!

Be creative

Teams coming to Anfield these days will try to defend as hard as they could. We need to be creative to explore for ways to go through. Now that more injured players are back Rafa would have more options. Just be calm.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Carragher
Hyypia
Agger
Finnan
Gerrard
Alonso
Gonzalez
Riise
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result 3-0

Match Report 061205 at Galatasaray: Defense let us down

2-3 and the poor defending had let us down. Fowler did his best to scored 2 - his first two goals in Champions League, but still we lose. Since this is a game with no significance at all it is difficult to raise the level of the players, but Dudek and Fowler will feel more disappointed.

Player Rating:
Dudek: 6 Back to Istanbul, conceded 3 again, but this time no miracle.
Peltier: 6 A rare chance for the youngster.
Carragher: 6 Defense at a unit failed.
Paletta: 6 A poor mistake.
Agger: 6 Could have done better.
Pennant: 6.5 A poor performance although he had an assist at the end.
Alonso: 6 Made a bad mistake but in general OK.
Riise: 6 Should take a rest but there is no left foot player remaining.
Fowler: 8 Scored 2 great goals.
Bellamy: 6.5 In generall disappointed.

Substitutions:
Luis Garcia/Crouch/Roque: Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 6 It is difficult to lift the players for such a game.

Galatasaray: 7 Deserved winner.

Man of the Match: Fowler. First game scoring more than 1 goal since he is back.

Farewell to Dudek?

We are back to Ali Sami Yen Stadium and this may be Dudek's last game for us. We have many great memory of that night, and no matter where he goes, he will forever be our hero. I still feel I am crying when thinking about that night. Rafa will be resting a lot of first team players, so whoever who get a rare start tonight, grab your chance to impress.

My Team Prediction:
Dudek
Darby
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Guthrie
Roque
Luis Garcia
Fowler
Bellamy

Result 2-0

Match Report 051202 at Wigan Athletic: Sky cleared

4-0 and this is simply the best performance of the season so far. Bellamy started to do business after his court case is cleared, and the team started to win away. Although it would be nice to spare the goals to some of the previous away games so that we can get more point, but we are now back on track. Finally.

Players Rating:
Reina: 8 Made as many saves as possible to keep the clean sheet. Wonderful performance.
Agger: 7.5 Played well in the 3-5-2 formation.
Carragher: 7.5 Leader at the back 3.
Hyypia: 7 An easy game for Sami.
Finnan: 7 A good performance at the wing back position.
Luis Garcia: 7 Performance well at both ends of the pitch.
Gerrard: 8.5 Influential performance and was involved in 2 of the goals.
Alonso: 7.5 Midfield is more assured with Xabi in.
Riise: 7.5 A nice attacking performance and was also involved in 2 of the goals.
Bellamy: 9 Scored 2, made 1 and offsided 8 times. Showed why Rafa bought him by running hard to cause problem in the counter attacks.
Kuyt: 7.5 Influential and was reward for his first goal in 1 month.

Substitutions:
Pennant/Guthrie/Paletta: 6.5 At 4-0 up you won't expect them to do any fancy things. Did well.

Rafa: 8 A nice performance and from now on we will win more away games.

Wigan Athletic: 6. The score line was cruel to them, 3-1 seems a more appropriate score. But they will have no problem to stay up.

Man of the Match: Bellamy. Will be an effective tool in counter attack.

Break the away duck

It's December and we have still to win away from home in the league. Now come Wigan. It will not be easy, especially we have so many injury now, but as we have already qualified for Champions League we will be very focused in this game.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Agger
Hyypia
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Carragher
Luis Garcia
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 2-0

November Month Review

4W2D1L and we are still in the middle of the table. We secured 1st spot in the Champions League Table and are through to quarter final of League Cup, but in the league we still failed to win away, and lost 2 points at home vs Portsmouth. We also suffered from many injuries and our midfield are now left to bare minimum. December will be a busy month and it is now up to Rafa and the players to start response and move up in the table.

Players of the Month: (1) Agger 7.18 (2) Gerrard 7.17 (3) Reina 6.92. Agger responded well after his injury and will continue to challenge for the first team spot. Stevie G started scoring and playing better and better, especially in the middle. And with 6 clean sheets in the last 7 games, Pepe's form is back and is rewarded with a well deserved extension of his contract.

December Forecast:
12/2 Wigan Athletic (a) We need to start winning away.
12/5 Galatasaray AK (a) This is a game we don't really care. And it would be emotional to see Jersy back to his heroic place.
12/9 Fulham (h) A game we need to win.
12/16 Charlton Athletic (a) We lost there last year and we need to make sure we won't do so again.
12/19 Arsenal (h) No matter what team Arsenal will start, we should beat them.
12/23 Watford (h) Another game we need to win to finish the last game at Anfield in 2006.
12/26 Blackburn Rovers (a) Boxing day match, and Craig is back to his home.
12/30 Tottenham Hotspur (a) This will be a tough game to finish the year.