Start of a new era

This game is the first game under the new owners, and is also our last chance to finish 3rd. With the international games in mid week and PSV game coming on Tuesday Rafa may be tempted to rest a few players. But let's start the new era with a convincing victory.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Fowler
Kuyt

Result 2-0

Match Report 070317 at Aston Villa: zzz....

0-0 and this is as bored a game as I have watched over the years. The only real chance for both teams was the header by Fowler in the 90th minutes, and other than that both teams were just trying to play for a draw. Boring.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Nothing to do.
Finnan: 6 Poor game and should count himself lucky not to be judged to concede a penalty.
Carragher: 7.5 Solid as ever.
Agger: 7 Good in defense.
Aurelio: 6 Not effective as a defender.
Gerrard: 6 Performance was affected by the slight injury and also playing out of position.
Sissoko: 6 Missed too many passes.
Mascherano: 6 Played too deep and not really helping the attacks.
Riise: 6.5 Not going forward enough.
Bellamy: 6 Not effective.
Kuyt: 6 Also ineffective. And he should stay up front more.

Substitutions:
Alonso: 6.5 Played slightly better than Sissoko.
Pennant: 6.5 Tried hard to go pass the Villa players and provided a killer pass to Fowler.
Fowler: 7 Had the only chance of the game but was unfortunately saved.

Rafa: 6 A dull performance and I don't understand why Fowler did not start.

Aston Villa: 6 A draw is a good result for them although they must find themselves unlucky not to get a penalty.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Another good performance.

Fight for the third place

Rafa said top 4 is priority, and third and fourth is not really a big difference. But we still want to challenge for the third place. And Rafa should also use Fowler at some point of this time.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Gonzalez
Fowler
Kuyt

Result 2-0

Match Report 070306 vs Barcelona: A superb result

0-1 and we are through to last 8. It was a strange game that like the weekend game, we dominated but can't suck the ball into the net, thanks to some superb goalkeeping skills and the lack of luck. Strangely, rather we were one up or not actually does not mean much, and the fact that we were strong at the back make us through to the next round.

A tribute must be paid to David Moores who will probably be the Club chairman for the last time last night. Although he missed winning the league champions, he put the Club in safe hands, and #19 will arrive home soon.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7 Another nice display but were unable to prevent the goal.
Finnan: 7.5 Get stronger and stronger towards the end. One of his best performance in a Red shirt.
Carragher: 8.5 Another MoM performance. Reduced the Barca attack to minimal.
Agger: 7 A nice performance.
Arbeloa: 6.5 Did well apart from covered the offside position for the goal conceded.
Gerrard: 7.5 Drive the team to a famous "defeat" and eliminated Barca.
Alonso: 7 Another silent but effective performance.
Sissoko: 8 Almost opened his scoring account. We will miss him for the next match due to suspension.
Riise: 8 Could have get a hat trick.
Bellamy: 7 Created problems to the Barca back line.
Kuyt: 7 Another hard working performance but without many scoring opportunities.

Substitutions:
Pennant: 7 A good performance and almost provided an equaliser.
Aurelio: 6.5 A good performance.
Crouch: 6.5 Missed a glorious chance to equalise the score, although at the end it does not matter.

Rafa: 8 Great tactic win. The team now plays according to his tactics. Now we need to sharpen our scoring.

Barcelona: 6 Lose out in tactics. But they are really tough opponents.

Man of the Match: Carragher. Rock at the back.

Get the job done

With a tiny goal lead what we need to do is to avoid defeat and we will be through. But Rafa will not play for a draw. What we need to do is, tighten the defense, hit them at the back, and nick a famous win. Of course the Kop will be there full swing.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Arbeola
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Riise
Bellamy
Kuyt

Result 2-0

Match Report 070303 vs Manchester United: Absolutely Bad Luck

0-1 and even Ferguson said they are lucky to win the game. But we only have ourselves to blame. Once again, we only control the game but did not take any chances. Now they will be league winners, and we need to concentrate to get the job done against Barcelona. But the best thing is, if we play like this against Barcelona, we will qualify.

Players Rating:
Reina: 6.5 Should parried the ball away to a corners, but it was a tricky one.
Finnan: 6 A deadly mistake in fouling Giggs.
Carragher: 8.5 The rock at the defense. Cleared us from danger a few times.
Agger: 6.5 Had a well taken goal attempt from 40 yards, but at the end he was lucky not to concede a penalty.
Riise: 7 Almost scored again. So close.
Gerrard: 7.5 Did his best.
Alonso: 6.5 A bit subdued from his usually high standard.
Sissoko: 7.5 Controlled the midfield.
Gonzalez: 6.5 Flying high at first half but fatigued in 2H.
Bellamy: 7.5 Passed defenders again and again, but did not have the sense of where the teammates were. Had a goal correctly but cruelly ruled out.
Kuyt: 6 Worked hard but failed to create much impact.

Substitutions:
Aurelio: 6 Not much contribution.
Pennnat: 6 Responsible to the foul that lead to the goal conceded.
Crouch: 6.5 Had a golden opportunity but failed to convert.

Rafa: 7.5 Spot on tactics, but luck was not on our side and players did not contribute.

Manchester United: 6.5 Come for one point, should get none, but somehow take all three back home. They will be champions this season.

Man of the Match: Carragher. But the teammates let him down.

Defer their title

As Rafa and Stevie G said we will try our best to win the next two games. Rafa will try to use similar squad for both games but Fowler should start the United game. He showed us what he can do for the team, and if he really leave us next season, it will be a nice gift to him to score against United, and raise the hand with five fingers one more time, as he needs to raise both hand with six next time.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Zenden
Fowler
Crouch

Result 2-0

February Month Review

2W1D1L, and the month just get better as time goes. We started with a disappointed 0-0 draw by a small team and then suffered a set back at Newcastle that lost us any hope of catching the top 2. And we dominated both games. Then we did the improbable by coming from behind and beat Barcelona at Nou Camp, then completed the month with a convincing 4-0 win at Anfield. This month also see the takeover completed and the Club in safe hands.

Players of the month (1) Bellamy 7.26 (2) Gerrard 7.23 (3) Carragher 7.15. Bellamy scored a nice goal vs Newcastle (although he somehow missed a hat trick) and then scored against Barcelona after the fiasco at the training camp. Stevie G as usual drives the team on and completed the month by scoring a goal vs Sheffield United. Carragher has been a rock vs Barcelona and were also superb in the other matches.

March Prediction:
3/3 Manchester United (h) Start Fowler for this match.
3/6 Barcelona (h) Be careful of a Barca back fire, and we should play to win the game.
3/18 Aston Villa (a) Villa has become a different team since the early dash, should not be a big problem.
3/31 Arsenal (h) Win this and 3rd place is probably secured.

Match Report 070224 vs Sheffield United: Keep Fowler

4-0 and once again Fowler scores when he starts. 7 goals from 7 starts is just phenomenal, no matter who the opponents are. Rafa need to find an extremely good goal scorers or else he should keep Fowler. Maybe as the Playing Coach.

The match is effectively finished within 30 minutes when Fowler scored 2. The whole team is playing very well and Mascherano had a very good debut. It shows the strength of the squad that Rafa has built, that we can rest 7 members of the first team and still managed to win 4-0.

Players Rating:
Dudek: 7.5 Regained some of his reputation with a clean sheet.
Finnan: 7.5 A nice display.
Carragher: 7.5 Solid at the back and get a rare 13 minute rest.
Hyypia: 8 Back with a nice taken goal.
Riise: 7.5 Solid performance and helped attack as well.
Pennant: 7.5 Lively performance on the right and his corner lead to the first penalty.
Gerrard: 9 Really shines at central midfield.
Mascherano: 8 Showed Rafa chased him for so long. His presence made Gerrard a better player.
Gonzalez: 7 Showed his speed again and should have score.
Fowler: 8.5 Two nice taken penalties and a nice assist. Too bad he didn't get a hat trick.
Crouch: 6.5 Too bad he needs to come off with a nose injury.

Substitutions:
Kuyt: 7 Need to learn the art of finishing from Fowler.
Alonso/Agger: 6.5 Not enough time to shine.

Rafa: 8 Thumbs up with the tactics. And he should rest Kuyt and Bellamy and start Fowler and Crouch against Manchester United.

Sheffield United: 5 Destined to lose from the very beginning. But they will stay up this year.

Man of the Match: Gerrard. An all round performance.

Time for some supporting players to shine

On paper this is an easy game and Rafa may be tempted to let some supporting players to play in this game, especially we have some difficult games coming up in the next 10 days. But let's not get carried away, as first 4 is not yet secured.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Arbeloa
Agger
Hyypia
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Mascherano
Zenden
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 3-0

Match Report 070221 at Barcelona: Teamwork

2-1 and this was a nice win that put us in a very good position. It was really nice to see Bellamy and Riise scored both goals, after the weekend controversy. It is exaggerated by the media, and the team is bonding very well. Although the work is only half way done, Rafa will make sure we will go through the next round by focusing in the game.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Did well to keep us in the game before the equaliser, although he was a bit lucky not to concede a goal from a Deco freekick that hit the post.
Finnan: 7.5 Visionary assist to Bellamy's goal.
Carragher: 8 Rock at the back.
Agger: 7 A bit soft at first but grew bigger as the match developed.
Riise: 8 What a goal - from his right foot!
Arbeloa: 7 A nice display on right midfield and left back. A good full debut.
Alonso: 7 Doing much of the defensive work in the expense of his usual creativity
Sissoko: 8 A rock at the midfield and protected the back 4 well.
Gerrard: 7.5 Driving the team as usual, although he was guilty in letting in the first goal.
Bellamy: 8.5 What a game to silent all the critics!
Kuyt: 7.5 A good game but missed a glorious chance from a set-piece.

Substitutions:
Pennant/Zenden/Crouch 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 8 Master mind.

Barcelona: 6.5 Defense was a disgrace. But they have enough talent so we need to be very careful.

Man of the Match: Bellamy. His talent is second to none.

Respond

We have 10 days to prepare for this match, and at the end of the training camp the players gone too far and ruined their reputation. Now is the time for them to respond and repair the damages. We have a good record at Nou Camp and we need to extend it. Barcelona is a great team but not unbeatable. But we need to be at our best to do so.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Riise
Gerrard
Alonso
Sissoko
Aurelio
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 1-0

Match Report 070210: All hopes are gone now

1-2 and we basically lost any hope of winning the title this year. With only 11 points to go and 16 points behind, there is just too big a gap to claim back. We may still have a slim chance to finish 2nd, but to chase back 10 points in 11 games is also unlikely.

We still have the same old problem of not taking chance. Some may due to luck and some due to skill, but anyway, the team now need to focus on the Barcelona game as this is the only chance we can achieve some glory this season.

Players Rating:
Reina: Some may question the timing of his rush out that lead to the first goal, but I won't blame him too much as Agger is clear at fault.
Finnan: 6 Unable to go forward.
Carragher: 7 The only good defender of the day.
Agger: 5.5 Had a very poor game as he was unable to coupe with Dyer's speed.
Riise: 6 Gave away a penalty.
Pennant: 6.5 Not much offered apart from the assist.
Gerrard: 6 Failed to bring in the creativity to the team.
Sissoko: 7 Came back after the injury and was tackling as hard as he used to be.
Zenden: 6 Missed a glorious chance to put the game 2-0, and was quickly fade away in 2H.
Bellamy: 7.5 Scored a clever goal but missed at least 3 other good chances.
Kuyt: 6 Missed an open goal early 2H.

Substitutions:
Guthrie/Arebola/Crouch: 6 Insufficient time to impress.

Rafa: 6 A poor display and need to work much harder on goal conversion.

Newcastle United: 7 Despite hammered by us in 2H, they held on and at the end won the game, although they should count themselves a bit lucky.

Man of the Match: Bellamy. Too bad this is not a happy return for him.

Start of a new era

This is the first game after the Club is taken over, and also the start of another winning streak. Bellamy will certainly receive hostile treatment from the Newcastle fans, and without Alonso, Rafa may need to play Sissoko or Zenden. But nevertheless, we can win this game.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Sissoko
Gonzalez
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 2-0

Done deal

The Club is sold for 450 million pounds to Gillett and Hicks. At first look these two Americans are genuine sports fans, but only time will tell.

We are now in a new era, and although there are lots of uncertainties, we need to move on. Fast.

Match Report 070203 vs Everton: 5 point loss

0-0 and we lost 5 points this season vs Everton. Rafa's comment of Everton as a small team is a bit wild off, but it is inevitable that some team will come to Anfield with 9-men defense and for one point, and it is up to Rafa and the team to find way to create space and thus chances. In this regard we failed completely.

Players Rating:
Reina: 7.5 Did well to prevent Johnson's well taken shot.
Finnan: 7 Unable to help the atttacks.
Carragher: 7 Did well at defense and almost scored at the other end.
Agger: 7 Solid defending.
Riise: 7 Should have go forward more frequently to support the attacks.
Pennant: 6.5 Get the ball a lot of times but failed to create a goal.
Gerrard: 7 Did well in protecting the back 4, but at the expense of not going forward enough.
Alonso: 6 Had an off day and wasted too many passes.
Bellamy: 7 Had a nice taken goal correctly ruled offside.
Kuyt: 7 Worked extremely hard as usual, but lack the final midas touch.
Crouch: 6.5 Wasteful inside the box.

Substitutions:
Fowler: 6.5 Insufficient time to change the game.

Rafa: 6.5 At times we were out-numbered in midfield. Perhaps we should play 3-5-2.

Everton: 6.5 Come for one point and get what they wanted. Good luck for their chase of 6th spot for UEFA Cup.

Man of the Match: Reina. Another solid goalkeeping performance.

Don't be distracted by off the field activities

There have been lots of confusions during the past few days on the takeover, and all of a sudden the future of the Club is unclear. But players need to retain their focus in the derby game. We need to keep winning and maintain pressure of Chelsea.

My Team Prediction:
Reina
Finnan
Carragher
Agger
Riise
Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Gonzalez
Kuyt
Crouch

Result 2-0

What is the Board thinking?

So DIC pulled out as they are not happy about the Board's decision to let Gillett to bid.

I think most of the fans will think DIC are better owner of the club, especially DIC will clear the debt of the Club, and there was rumor that Gillett will prefer ground share with Everton. It looks like the Board members are thinking to personal profit from Gillett's 10% more bidding, while putting the Club's future in uncertainty.

As fans we do not have access to the details and I hope Moores and Parry will do their best to protect the Club. As Shankly said Liverpool Football Club is not owned by the board, the manager or the players. It is owned by the fans. And now we have to trust Moores and Parry.

January Month Report

4W2L with all 4 wins were in the League and we lost both FA Cup and League Cup to Arsenal. It is now too early to call, but it may be a blessing in disguise as it ease up our schedule (look at Arsenal) and we may yet try once more to overtake Chelsea and to challenge the impossible dream. As Rafa said we will just keep winning and see how far we can go. And there are a few hurdles in February that we need to overtake first. Sissoko and Zenden are already back so will provide some cover to the team. Rafa will have the luxury to worry who to choose from.

Players of the Month (1) Kuyt 8.01 (2) Crouch 7.65 (3) Pennant 7.52. 4 goals in January from the hard working Kuyt brought him another top spot in the month. Crouch also did well and also scored 4. For Pennant, he scored a superb goal against Chelsea, and has been lively in other games as well.

February Prediction:
2/3 Everton (h) We need to get a revenge after the humiliation in September.
2/10 Newcastle United (a) Rafa probably won't play 3-4-3 but could play 3-5-2.
2/21 Barcelona (a) A very difficult game, but Rafa has extensive knowledge in Spanish football and will have us well prepared.
2/24 Sheffield United (h) We lost 2 points at their venue, and we need to get 3 at home.

Match Report 070130 at West Ham United: We edge closer

2-1 and we are within two points of Chelsea although with one more game played. We need to keep winning and see how far we can go.

Rafa was very bold and played another 3-4-3. It paid off brightly with 2 superb goals in the first 8 minutes of the second half, the first one came within 12 seconds. After that we slowed down a bit and let them sunk one in, but at the end it was still a comfortable win.

Players Rating:
Reina: 8.5 Made many good saves.
Carragher: 7.5 Superb in defense.
Hyypia: 7 Good display at the 3 men defense
Agger: 7 At time a bit sloppy.
Finnan: 6.5 Lost the ball too many times.
Gerrard: 7.5 Inspired the team to another win.
Alonso: 7.5 Dictated the pace very well.
Riise: 7.5 Worked very hard at left back.
Bellamy: 7 Worked very hard but missed a few chances to put the game beyond West Ham's reach.
Kuyt: 8.5 Linked up with midfield very well, and beautifully taken the goal to put us ahead.
Crouch: 8 One goal, one assist from the big man.

Substitutions:
Pennant: 6.5 Lost the ball that lead to the West Ham goal.
Gonzalez/Fowler: 6.5 Not enough time to impress.

Rafa: 7.5 Brilliant touch to start 3-4-3, and provided a joke to us by slipping on the sideline.

West Ham: 6 Need to improve in order to survive.

Men of the Match: Reina/Crouch. Steered the team to victory on both ends.