Liverpool FC

[evoluzione]

my vote goes to Benitez, or possibly Mourinho, if Ranieri stays at Chelski.

how about Roberto Carlos at Chelski eh???? could be interesting.


so, Houllier has gone, yes it's a shame, but the dead wood needs to be cut out. the board were saying that 4th was a minimum requirement, glad they remembered they said that. and it is, Gerard was happy with it, it was a success to him, what with all the injuries, bad refereeing decision etc, so how about all the other injuries in other teams? Pompey for example??? didn't do them any harm against us did it? anyways, the two afforementioned guys would give the team the kick up the ass they need, and bring us back into contention again. now i just have to hope the club does go thai.

:)

[dstorey]

Sad to see GH go. We did go downhill in the last two years but at least he took us on the rollercoaster that got us up there in the position where fourth and champ league football is downhill. Things could have been so different, but sadly for GH and LFC they weren't. I'll never forget the treble season and then beating the mancs in the charity shield and Bayen in the super cup soon after. One of the best years of my life and happiest memories as a LFC fan. I can't really remember the glory years too well as I was only 10 when we last won the league.

I read one of the reasons that GH went was because he was against the thai deal....and of course he would have gone if morgan got in. If you listen to what he said in the press conference then it hints at this, when he mentions about how lfc have always done what's right as a club morally etc...words to that effect anyway.

Even if we never quite made it, 6 cups is 4 more than i remember winning. The rise of Gerrard and Owen have also been great and a nice investment for the next manager. The reguard Gerrard has for GH shows a lot. Didn't he actually threaten to leave at one point if GH went. i hope not. Lets not foeget the next manager will also have the advantage of the brightest propspects in france with Cisse, ALT and FSP, not to mention Milan Baros, who looks awesome everytime he plays even if he hasn't scored enough, and possibly a future england GK in kirkland. GH's biggest mistake maybe is too many of these are for the future and other managers could take the plaudits. It didn't always work out too, witness vignal (who maybe didn't have enough chances), biscan and traeore. Of course some of the flops did look good signings at the time. Who wasn't impressed by Diouf in the worldcup tearing France to pieces, or Chyerou against Lazio when he first joined, not to mention many french clubs wanted him and bid higer than us. Biscan was wanted by so msny big clubs too. It can be said that Hou then played them all out of position but....

But good luck to who comes in next. I hope we dont get Strachen....no proven experience...since when did saints look anything like impressive? and he's an ex manc....same with McClaren. David O'Leary...well look where leeds are now, and they were not so far above us when they were in their prime...still did not win anything and we beat them into forth..or was it third, then that caused their downfall. Curbs, well you can point again to no experience and how he would handle the high transfer market and the top players. Big Sam always seems interesting and not been mentioned very much. I know a lot of big named players hold him in high reguard and has signed a few for bolton. He suppose to have a huge knowledge of the game. Again there is the question of when he has won. Martin O'neill, well he's great at making donkeys look great.....so we might become invincible ;) Biscan and traeore could become world beaters!!! but seriously, they don't play any better style of play than we do at the moment and its all big physical players which works great in the scots prem but not so well here. He got to the final of the UEFA fut then again we won it. Question marks over whether he would attract any big named players here like Hou could do a la Cisse, ALT etc. What i do love though is his passion for the game. The euro managers could be interesting. Capello has won it all, the valencia manager is said to play defensive football but they came to anfield and destroyed us with some sublime football. Winning 2 titles in 3 years against the might of Real and barca is not bad going. We need someone that can do that against the might of arsenal, and the mancs.. The Porto manager is again interesting with the two euro finals in a row as well as all the domination in what is I admit a league almost as bad as scotlands, but at least portugal have some star players i guess ;) Battles against man u would be interesting too and isn't he a lfc far or soemthing? Hietzfelt or however you spell has not been metioned much as he obviously has the skills and the winning ability...and if he could bring ballack.....him and gerrard would be awesome in the middle but then i'm dreaming. Would miss that passion though that it is so obvious GH has....though if thommo stays then he has enough. One never mentioned that I'd like to put forward is Gus Hiddink or whatever his name is. Look how far he got South korea in the WC and hasn't done bad at league level...not sure what he has done for a while though.

[evoluzione]

One never mentioned that I'd like to put forward is Gus Hiddink

what about Bruce Arena??? :) coach of the US team...maybe that's why LFC are coming over in a few weeks! hah!

[dstorey]

Nah i think thats to get Tina Turner as our next manager

[WinterMute]

Valencia's coach benitez has been confirmed as the new Liverpool manager, there's a news conference clip on the www.liverpoolfc.tv (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv) site.

He's young and very succesful, and Valencia have been one of the most aggresively attacking teams in Europe under him.

Lets see what he's going to do, whose in and whose out?

[Sabbath]

Valencia's coach benitez has been confirmed as the new Liverpool manager, there's a news conference clip on the www.liverpoolfc.tv (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv) site.

He's young and very succesful, and Valencia have been one of the most aggresively attacking teams in Europe under him.

Lets see what he's going to do, whose in and whose out?

Yeah it seems an awesome "signing" (if you can call it that) from my point of view, now lets just see who else we bring in. Hopefully some pace in defence, and some creativity on the right. I just wish we could get Lampard from Chelsea to play next to gerrard but that's never going to happen.

[evoluzione]

best footy news all year....and i'll be seeing his first game in charge against celtic :D :D

now i only hope the Thai PM doesn't succeed in his new bid....


big hopes for Beni though, should be an exciting season, and let's hope Stevie G will want to stay now.

[WinterMute]

Phil Thompson, GH's assistant manager has left Anfield after "amicable" talks with Parry and Benitez.

Amicable? Thommo probably screamed at them for an hour from the far end of the boardroom... :D

Phil Thompson was one of Liverpools most decorated players, he lifted the European cup against Real Madrid, and was central to the great Liverpool side of the 80's. He'd been with Liverpool under Houllierfor 5 years, and before that with Roy Evans.

His wit and loud voice will be missed on the touchline, as will his massive nose. ;)

[Winston Smith]

Best Thompson chant to the tune of Let it Snow:

"Oh! the shadow on the pitch is frightening, Thompson's nose, Thompson's nose"

[evoluzione]

our lfc ny supporters club secretary looks remarkably like thommo, but without the huge schnoz. has provided more than a laugh or two that...as do the raffles we hold in aid of the hillsborough justice campaign. there's this one picture, i portrait of shanks, not a nice one either, and our barman one it, not once, but twice! he gave it back after he won it the first time, as, believe it or not, he's an everton fan! serving all us reds fans, poor guy heh


looks like beni tried to sign cisse a while back too, that can't be anything but good!

[evoluzione]

so, Gerrard and Owen leaving???

personally, I don't think so...if they do, I will be booing them every time they play. Yes I understand their desire for a league championship, but we have a great new manager and i would be extremely pissed if they don't give him at least a year before they run off to Chelski.

[MacsRgr8]

so, Gerrard and Owen leaving???

personally, I don't think so...if they do, I will be booing them every time they play. Yes I understand their desire for a league championship, but we have a great new manager and i would be extremely pissed if they don't give him at least a year before they run off to Chelski.

Are they both going to Chelsea?
Funny as how it seems that more and more English players are going there instead of the endless buying of foreign players. Interesting.
I thought Owen would stay forever at Liverpool, but I can understand the move: Bigger chance at winning the major prizes.

[evoluzione]

Are they both going to Chelsea?



honestly, i don't think either of them are going anywhere. i'd be surprised if Gerrard leaves, he even has years left on his contract. owen, well, djibril cisse may force him to buck up his ideas, and he could feel as if he's being forced out, if that's how he feels, good riddance. i really hope we keep baros though...he could be our henry in a couple of years.

[Sabbath]

honestly, i don't think either of them are going anywhere. i'd be surprised if Gerrard leaves, he even has years left on his contract. owen, well, djibril cisse may force him to buck up his ideas, and he could feel as if he's being forced out, if that's how he feels, good riddance. i really hope we keep baros though...he could be our henry in a couple of years.

If you asked me at the start of the summer I would have laughed at Gerrard going anywhere but the way the situation has developed it just seems like he is going. I don't know how Owen will react, it must feel like a complete change in situation for him, I can't remember Liverpool selling one of their in form stars in recent history. I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to leave but I think he'll give it another year and see how it goes under Benitez.

I just don't know who we can get in to replace Gerrard, there is no player out there who can replace him, and we need to be strengthening our team elsewhere not losing our best player.

[WinterMute]

I'd be very surprised if either of them go, they are both Reds right through, and despite the money, I think they'll give it another season and see how Raphael pans out, they'd be stupid glory hunters not to. They can both command the same money next year if need be.

But then, £150K a week is a powerful inducement, I might start supporting ManUre for that kind of cash ;) ;) :D

[BakedBeans]

well well well well well

ive just found this thread..... nice nice nice nice....

[evoluzione]

this is a quote from Milan Baros, and it is exactly what I want to hear from both steven gerrard and michael owen...

"But a new coach has come in now and the situation has changed. Every player will start next season from the same point under Rafael Benitez.

We will all have something to prove. With the old manager gone, I now want to stay and be a part of it."



so, I wonder what the press conference is all about in half an hour......maybe we've just signed ex-manc Poborsky!! i'd love to see him at anfield this coming season, the new Gary Mac!

[Sabbath]

WWDC may have been a bit of a disappointment but it looks like Gerrard is staying so hopefully Owen will be staying too.

Things are looking up lets just buy some defenders now.

[WinterMute]

Gerrard has pledged his future to Liverpool at an Anfield press conference today, saying he "followed his heart" when deciding to stay.

That's the kind of player that will make Liverpool a truly great team again, never mind the big-money showboats who can't hit the target from a (crumbly) penalty spot... ;)

Good man Stevie, the thought of him, Cisse, Baros and a revitalised Owen will have the Premiership crapping themselves come September.

[BakedBeans]

we have been linked with edgar davids......

you can find the areticle here

http://liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drilldown/MW6305040702-1302.htm

[WinterMute]

we have been linked with edgar davids......

you can find the areticle here

http://liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drilldown/MW6305040702-1302.htm

Might be interesting, Davids and Gerrard, plus I see Hargreaves name in the list, although the rumour that Didi Hamann is moving on because Rafael thinks him too defence orientated would tend to scotch the Hargreaves move I reckon, Owen Hargreaves is a more "negative" player than Didi...

It'll be a shame to see Hamann go, he's been a great player for us, he destroyed ManUre in the FA cup final. :D

I don't know much about the Spanish players mentioned in the media watch, but I think it's fair to say Rafael is going to build a team with no reverse gear. :cool:

[BakedBeans]

Might be interesting, Davids and Gerrard, plus I see Hargreaves name in the list, although the rumour that Didi Hamann is moving on because Rafael thinks him too defence orientated would tend to scotch the Hargreaves move I reckon, Owen Hargreaves is a more "negative" player than Didi...

It'll be a shame to see Hamann go, he's been a great player for us, he destroyed ManUre in the FA cup final. :D

I don't know much about the Spanish players mentioned in the media watch, but I think it's fair to say Rafael is going to build a team with no reverse gear. :cool:

hamann is one of the most underated players iin the prem.... be rubbish if he goes.... but great if we get davids and ballack or aimar...

hargreaves sucks period........

davids, gerrard,kewell in midfield and baros owen and cisse up front...sniff sniff i smell goals

[Sabbath]

hamann is one of the most underated players iin the prem.... be rubbish if he goes.... but great if we get davids and ballack or aimar...

hargreaves sucks period........

davids, gerrard,kewell in midfield and baros owen and cisse up front...sniff sniff i smell goals

Hamann is a really good player but he just doesn't have the pace which worries me. As for Hargreaves no way, I don't rate him at all, he definitely wouldn't be in the England squad if he didn't play for Bayern.

I would be a bit worried at davids, he is one of those players who really needs to want to play for the team and I don't know if he would.

[iGav]

Well it's not really related to Liverpool anymore, but it looks like there's a possibility that Houllier might be on his way to Coventry City if Dhinsa and his backing of billionaire Russian Investors complete their take over, with Eric Black as his assistant (ironically Black has statistically being our most successful manager... so what does our chairmen go and do... ?? yep that's right sacks him and gets that well known 'super successful' manager Peter Reid in. :rolleyes:

Funnily if they pull this off, Coventry could well be one of the richest clubs in the world. :eek: :p :p imagine being able to buy new players.... what a luxury. :eek: :D :p

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/3860365.stm

[BakedBeans]

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?LFC96&1

come on liverpool fans sign this... even if you wouldnt subscribe.....

its a top idea

[imback]

I've just started up a Liverpool website (6 weeks ago). Weve already got some nice feedback from the club. Stop by and help us get going in our forums.

talklfc (http://www.talklfc.com)

cheers and nice to see so many fans here :cool:

[evoluzione]

I've just started up a Liverpool website (6 weeks ago). Weve already got some nice feedback from the club. Stop by and help us get going in our forums.

talklfc (http://www.talklfc.com)

cheers and nice to see so many fans here :cool:



nice. do i have to register before i see anything else though???
oh, and to answer your question in that other thread...we have a chance, top three defo.


may as well let everyone know that the all new LFCNY site and forums are up... www.lfcny.org (http://www.lfcny.org) go check 'em out, and if you're in the area, we can probably still get you a couple of tickets to the games!!!! :D

[imback]

nice. do i have to register before i see anything else though???
oh, and to answer your question in that other thread...we have a chance, top three defo.


may as well let everyone know that the all new LFCNY site and forums are up... www.lfcny.org (http://www.lfcny.org) go check 'em out, and if you're in the area, we can probably still get you a couple of tickets to the games!!!! :D


Its best if you register so you can reply and enter competitions etc. You can read the forums without registering though www.talklfc.com/forums

Are you going to the Liv v Celtc game yourself? Can you send me/post some pics please?

[evoluzione]

Its best if you register so you can reply and enter competitions etc. You can read the forums without registering though www.talklfc.com/forums

Are you going to the Liv v Celtc game yourself? Can you send me/post some pics please?


oh ok

yeah i'm gong to botht he Celtic and the AS Roma games, but not the FC Porto game in Toronto, and yeah, if you go to lfcny.org and visit the photos page, we'll put some up there... :)

[evoluzione]

less than 9 hours to go!!!!

gotta go pick up my Tour T-Shirt and figure out a route to the stadium....pick up some beers, stick the scarf in the window and head on up to CT for 8pm....

oh i cannot wait!!!!! Liverpool v Celtic, should be a fantastic rendition of YNWA :D

[evoluzione]

oh what a great game!
we had awesome seats too.

and Henchoz scored!!!!! what a day!!!

[evoluzione]

so it turns out we saw Owen's last goal/game for Liverpool, Cisse's first two goals, and a bunch of other important things which we didn't know at the time....wish we had known mikey and spud were going, we'd have sung 'em a song!



sooooo, tottenham hotspur today! 3-1 is my prediction, baros, gerrard and biscan socring :)

[Winston Smith]

So Cisse scored to ease the pain of Mikey going can't help looking to Arsenal's unbeaten season with many draws.

Should have won considering Santini says he needs August to realise the true potential of his team!

[WinterMute]

You go away for a holiday, and look what happens, you just can't turn your back these days can you... ;)

1-1 at Spurs, 1st goal for Cisse, not bad, the addition of Nunez is going to be interesting, a genuine winger for once.

I was sorry to see Murph go I liked him, and Owen needed to go where he wants to play, he'd have been pants for a year.

Good luck to Micheal, I don't think it's going to be easy for him.

Cisse looks good, Baros is getting better all the time, Gerrard is still a god, now all we need is Jerzy to remember his form or Kirkland to live up to his potential.

Bring it on. :D

[BakedBeans]

does anyone use the liverpoolfc.tv forums???

[evoluzione]

does anyone use the liverpoolfc.tv forums???

no, but you could try the lfcny.org (http://www.lfcny.org) forums (http://s100065619.onlinehome.us/forums/) :)

some good stuff on there...

[WinterMute]

does anyone use the liverpoolfc.tv forums???

No, I buzz the site regularly, but I don't have time to get into on-line footie discussions, thats much better left for pubs etc.

[WinterMute]

no, but you could try the lfcny.org (http://www.lfcny.org) forums (http://s100065619.onlinehome.us/forums/) :)

some good stuff on there...

Just registered evo, see you over there maybe.

[junior]

We're going to marmalise Utd tonight! 1 goal each for Garcia and Gerard, and a couple more from Cisse!
Cummon you Reds!

Benitez shall take us to new heights!

[evoluzione]

We're going to marmalise Utd tonight! 1 goal each for Garcia and Gerard, and a couple more from Cisse!
Cummon you Reds!

Benitez shall take us to new heights!


Houllier is playing tonight??? ;)

seriously though, i think we have a great chance to put a few past crappy howard. "Kenny" Garcia looks good, Stevie G is the best player in the world right now and everyone (except JAR) is coming good, 'arry included.

4-1 to the 'pool is my prediction....


lfcny.org

[BakedBeans]

nah riise is playing well... not bad at all... ive been to all matches this season and im going tonight... so ibetter get going...see ya.... report back later

[WinterMute]

nah riise is playing well... not bad at all... ive been to all matches this season and im going tonight... so ibetter get going...see ya.... report back later

Lucky bugger, although the Theatre of Silence is never my favourite place to see Liverpool play... :D

I'll settle for 0-1 an unstoppable Gerrard screamer from outside the box, Howard helpless and ugly.

However I feel the team starting to come good, I think it could all slot into place very nicely and see ManUre take a bit of a kicking :D :D

Riise is still playing like a turtle though, what happened to the bloke who split the net at Anfield against Manure a few years back?

[munkle]

Face it guys without Danny Murphy to skank it for you, you're going to get beaten! Man Utd, inspired by the return of Rio (if he remembers to show up, thankfully it's late night shopping on Thursday's!), is going to take this one, with Keano putting the young whippersnapper Gerrard into his place!

Not long till kick off now! :cool:

[munkle]

Tim Howard not even on the bench and Alan Smith not starting, hmmm interesting.

[WinterMute]

Very scrappy game, with ManUre worth their win (but only just).

Without Gerrard the midfield had very little attacking thrust, even though Hamann played very well.

We didn't turn up for the first half, and gave them a run for it in the second.

This team WILL be very good when it sorts itself out, but it's very disjointed right now.

Dudek was crap, bring on Kirkland.

[dstorey]

Anyone know anything about the Kraft Family that want to buy into LFC as part of LFC along with the film maker that is making GOAL!, an american lawyer and possibly king kenny himself. I heard the Krafts are based in boston and have done some amazing stuff with the patriots and the revolution. Would be sweet if thats the case with man u having links with the yankees, and the boston/ny rivalry. It would align lfc more with boston and man u with nyc. If they are sound business men then it could be great for lfc as i don't liek the look of the morgan guy or the thai bid, and it's clear we need investment fast.

[evoluzione]

Anyone know anything about the Kraft Family that want to buy into LFC as part of LFC along with the film maker that is making GOAL!, an american lawyer and possibly king kenny himself. I heard the Krafts are based in boston and have done some amazing stuff with the patriots and the revolution. Would be sweet if thats the case with man u having links with the yankees, and the boston/ny rivalry. It would align lfc more with boston and man u with nyc. If they are sound business men then it could be great for lfc as i don't liek the look of the morgan guy or the thai bid, and it's clear we need investment fast.

hey mate, long time...

head on over to lfcny (http://www.lfcny.org) and visit the forums...there's plenty of info about the bids there, including some from one or two people that work at anfield.

as far as i'm concerned, morgan wouldn't be a bad thing.

[junior]

hey mate, long time...

head on over to lfcny (http://www.lfcny.org) and visit the forums...there's plenty of info about the bids there, including some from one or two people that work at anfield.

as far as i'm concerned, morgan wouldn't be a bad thing.


Well, Morgan's supposedly given up for the time being. I say good riddance to him. I don't like the man at all. He calls himself a supporter yet criticizes the team, management, and the board at times when the team is going through crucial matches. He comes off as someone who cares only of himself and I could imagine him really interfering with the management should he take control. I think he would be worse than Rupert Lowe (wrong spelling?).
Moores on the other hand always lets those working for him get on with it and is never there to take the credit when things go well, and is there taking all the flack when things are going poorly. I think he's a very good chairman.
As for the 20 odd million pound loss this year, it wasn't really due to mismanagement. They had to pay 10mil to the departing staff, spent 12mil on Alonso (and wasn't he worth it!), and several millions more for the other three Spaniards. The biggest factor being that they didn't get into the Champions League.
Now that they are in the knockout stages of the CL, and hopefully they'll whoop Bayern at the very least, the total revenue will likely be well over 20mil, and as long as we get into the top 4 in PL, I can see next year being very rosy for LFC and we'll probably see a much happier Moores at the next AGM.

[Sabbath]

It looks like we may have got our man (at last), although I definitely don't want to jinx it! I think if everything goes ok, I may buy a Morientes shirt at the clubs shops crazy £50 price tag just to encourage more (good) big name signings!

Hopefully this will push us on up and convince Gerrard to stick around. Although I fear we will have to get into the champions league, maybe win a cup and beat Leverkussen and then a big European team to reach the semis of the CL, which will definitely be tough although possible if Baros can stay fit. The team looks to be coming together if we can just get players back healthy (particularly Alonso) and avoid too many more injuries. I think we still really need Kewell back fit and on form and a right sided midfielder but there just aren't many of any quality around. If only we could afford and attract a Joaquim, maybe Pennant would be a reasonable option if he is very cheap in both price and wages or we could give one of the youngsters a go but I'm not sure either of them would be a major improvement on Nunez even though he is yet to truly impress me.

Anyway I'm hopeful for the new year now, it's just a shame Houllier left us in such a bad state both financially and in squad terms.

[MOFS]

Now that they are in the knockout stages of the CL, and hopefully they'll whoop Bayern at the very least, the total revenue will likely be well over 20mil, and as long as we get into the top 4 in PL, I can see next year being very rosy for LFC and we'll probably see a much happier Moores at the next AGM.

Top four? You should be so lucky! Boro's gonna getya! :cool:

Seriously, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea look certs for CL. Liverpool have got probs what with Xabi Alonso being crocked, Morientes needing time to fit in, and Carlos Nunez being worse than Emile Heskey on wing. I reckon we and the Bluenoses have a better chance than you guys...

[NZDave]

I live in Seattle, but I'm somewhat of a Liverpool fan. I have a scarf hanging on my wall here at uni, and any time football is on Fox World of Sports I try and watch it. It's hard being a fan here, but it makes it all that much more interesting.

[MacsRgr8]

Cr@p weekend. :(

[Wes]

Unlucky lads, it seems lots of teams are having troubles with quality keepers at the moment.

[WinterMute]

I've been a supporter of Dudek over the years, but this is probably a cock-up too far, I don't see him recovering from this in the long term, Rafa will look for a replacement once Kirkland is fit (if ever).

It was a big ask to expect Morientes to step up after so little footie this season, but he's a class act, and the ball seems to find him a lot in the area.

Pelegrino looked OK, I'm sure he'll be a good signing, but why are we still playing Biscan???? My dog plays better than Biscan, and my dog is crap at football.

I'm hoping that players like Morientes will convince Gerrard to stay put for a few more seasons.

It's got to get better, quicker.

[evoluzione]

there's plenty of discussion at the lfcny.org forums, but personally, i think gerrard was absolutely horrible yesterday, and biscan, sure he's not great, but he has come on as sub recently and make an impact, for the better.

dudek has to go, now. and benitez' spaniards have to go also, with the exception of alonso and morientes (who looks like he'll do well, some nice touches yesterday). i so want to like garcia, and feel like he's the new dalglish, but after performances like yesterdays, well...

carragher was our best player yesterday, and he was unlucky not to score. shame he can't play at right back though. benitez' fault for playing him there.

the scum didn't win that game, we just never showed up.

[munkle]

As a MUFC fan I feel a bit cheeky posting on this thread and will try my hardest not to gloat!

Biscan has been a revelation for you this season and is actually beginning to resemble a footballer. Despite a few promising matches here and there Carragher just doesn't cut the mustard. Kirkland is promising but should perhaps be put into nursing home with Woodgate. Keano outclassed Stevie G yesterday, showing that the student has yet to become the master (I bit of support from the other players would be nice). Rafa is the best thing that could have happened to you...just give his imports a chance to settle into the Costa del Anfield.

Oh and fair play to whoever chucked the phone at Rooney - the cheeky bugger! :p

[Wes]

As a MUFC fan I feel a bit cheeky posting on this thread and will try my hardest not to gloat!
:p

**Points to his cosolidation post made yesterday**

It's great to have been born in Manchester...

[Sabbath]

It was a terrible game this weekend. Anyone would think Dudek was a Man U fan looking back at his record. That's the third year he has cost us against Man U, it just seems completely improbable to happen three times. I do rate both our keepers though we really just need to stick with one and build up the confidence, it does seem to be becoming the year of the goalkeeping errors.

On the plus side we lost to Man only by a goal keeping error despite playing terribly. The defence looked pretty good with Pellegrino, Hyppia and Carragher. I really liked the look of Pellegrino, he was very comfortable on the ball and good positionally, but pace has to be a worry and anyone who watches liverpool regularly would recognise how good Carragher has been this year. Traore still isn't up to the job despite improving significantly.

We were a poor in midfield with Gerrard not playing well and missing Alonso, and seemed a bit lightweight against the sort of five man Man U midfield when Rooney was dropping in. We really need more of a threat on the wings though we need to get behind full backs and we just don't seem to have the players to do it at the moment. I thought Morientes did a good job too, he clearly wasn't fit and wasn't really on the same wavelength as the others but he looked a class above when the ball came into this feet, and he sure took a lot of hits from the good old man u technique of making sure you take the player and then the ball.

On the downside we never looked like winning the game, which is definitely not good against a very poor Man U performance. I'm trying to stay positive as things are getting better....

[Blue Velvet]

As a MUFC fan I feel a bit cheeky posting on this thread and will try my hardest not to gloat!

MUFC, who they? :)

Ahem... I have refrained from gloating so far and so should you.
However, let me just say that I'm Blue by name and by nature...

...and we're not talking Everton.

[Wes]

MUFC, who they? :)

Ahem... I have refrained from gloating so far and so should you.
However, let me just say that I'm Blue by name and by nature...

...and we're not talking Everton.

Take your ill-gotten millions/billions and flee!

[munkle]

MUFC, who they? :)

Ahem... I have refrained from gloating so far and so should you.
However, let me just say that I'm Blue by name and by nature...

...and we're not talking Everton.

Still trying hard not to gloat!

...and Blue, if not Everton then I'm guessing you mean Chelsea?! ;) :p I used to live near Maine Road and hated match days! Still was a bit sad to see them move though.

[Blue Velvet]

Take your ill-gotten millions/billions and flee!

I can't help it – was a fan long before our Russian benefactor turned up.

Still, at least I can say I have lived near Stamford Bridge for the last 12 years or more...

[MacsRgr8]

MUFC, who they? :)

Ahem... I have refrained from gloating so far and so should you.
However, let me just say that I'm Blue by name and by nature...

...and we're not talking Everton.

I do hope it's Man City you're talking about.... :rolleyes:

[munkle]

I do hope it's Man City you're talking about.... :rolleyes:

I thought Blue meant City too, hence my previous message! Whoops.

Chelski pah! :D

[MacsRgr8]

I can't help it – was a fan long before our Russian benefactor turned up.

Still, at least I can say I have lived near Stamford Bridge for the last 12 years or more...

eh...

Too quick with my trigger finger :D

It's time Wenger calmed down. I must say I don't get all the news over here across the North Sea, but it seems dear Wenger is a bit stressed. Somehow Fergie gets under everyone's skin. What was the deal with Chealski's manager?
Does that Scott hate every London FC manager?

[Blue Velvet]

Somehow Fergie gets under everyone's skin. What was the deal with Chealski's manager?

It's one of his specialities: winding people up. Works very well, too.

It surprises me that a man of Wenger's presence & intelligence will rise to it...

Mourinho, on the other hand, although he rises to the bait, is wise to it and takes it in good humour and with a 10 point cushion can afford to...

[Sabbath]

It's one of his specialities: winding people up. Works very well, too.

It surprises me that a man of Wenger's presence & intelligence will rise to it...

Mourinho, on the other hand, although he rises to the bait, is wise to it and takes it in good humour and with a 10 point cushion can afford to...


I think Mourinho has Fergie licked so he feels he has to go after Wenger, to prove he is still the big man on the block. Wenger meanwhile seems to be really touchy going from unbeaten to 10 points off the lead in half a season heheheh, it's all pretty funny anyway.

[MacsRgr8]

Mourinho, on the other hand, although he rises to the bait, is wise to it and takes it in good humour and with a 10 point cushion can afford to...

That's the point.
I don't think Ferguson's tactics work when you're "up" like Chelsea are now, but work extra well when you're "down" like Arsenal are now.
In a couple of weeks time the Arsenal v ManU game will start. If only Wenger cold stay cool and take no notice of the Scott. Arsenal should be able to win the home game quite easily.

[WinterMute]

Well done BV, thread succesfully hijacked.... :rolleyes:

If you want to start a Chelsea thread, go talk to yourself, this one's been doing fine for a couple of years without the help of your lot.... ;)

Leave us true Reds to our misery and uncertainty, I never thought I'd see the day when I'd rather have Grobelaar in goal.....

Things can only get better. And they'd better. Get better that is.

[Blue Velvet]

Well done BV, thread succesfully hijacked.... :rolleyes:

Sorry.

Was just trying to outsmug Munkle who started on about MUFC.

I shall not darken this thread again with any talk of mmpphpphhh...

:o

*slinks out the door sheepishly*

(I still would like to see Liverpool in a Champions League spot though, if that means anything... not sure exactly why. Probably to see Gerrard at play at that level, I guess...)

[Don't panic]

forget next year, what do you reckon's are Liverpool's chances to WIN the champion's league THIS year?

or even to go past Juventus?

anyone wants to venture predictions for the next rounds/final?
I'd go with either of the Milan teams over Chelsea

[XIII]

Sorry.

Was just trying to outsmug Munkle who started on about MUFC.

I shall not darken this thread again with any talk of mmpphpphhh...

:o

*slinks out the door sheepishly*

(I still would like to see Liverpool in a Champions League spot though, if that means anything... not sure exactly why. Probably to see Gerrard at play at that level, I guess...)

How about an EPL football thread here at MR..? We have a similar sucessful one at iPL.

[bentley]

so there's a ton of threads on the new iTunes/Music Store (which is great) but on a different note, i've realised that there are in fact a few fans of Liverpool Football Club (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv) here :)

WinterMute and dstorey are a couple, along with me of course :)

or indeed any football (soccer) fans in general? and who do you support, and why?


i'm not reading through all this rubbish thread but i'd like to add on the end that as a Burnley supporter I laugh in all your faces.

[Jaffa Cake]

How about an EPL football thread here at MR..? We have a similar successful one at iPL.Premier League? Pah! If you're looking for the pinnacle of English football League One (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/default.stm) is the place to be...

[Piarco]

The amount of times I've checked the community discussion and I haven't managed to spot a thread on the mighty Reds?!?! Bizarre...

Anywho another Liverpool fan for the simplest of reasons - Scouse born and Red born and bred :)
After closing the gap on those out toffee chewing neighbours, I'm a bit (read: really) worried about the lack of strikers now due to injuries and dumb, dumb, red cards. We need a cash injection to get things going, as much as I hate to say it, in the mold of Chelski. Bring in Steve Morgan and his millions, and lets get some contingency players in. And a new keeper. Kirkland - cracking when he's fit (almost never), but Dudeks errors are getting to be unforgivable. We hounded out James for it didn't we?

Glad to hear that the new stadium will be called Anfield though, although they did say that if a particularly juicey sponsorship deal comes along they would consider a name change :rolleyes:

And just to counter....

i'm not reading through all this rubbish thread but i'd like to add on the end that as a Burnley supporter I laugh in all your faces.

Hmph, and did you really think you'd go much further? Obscurity suits you....

[evoluzione]

Piarco75 - glad you finally spotted the thread there la'

important run in to the end of the season, be lovely to beat the bluenoses to 4th, and win the CL just to ensure they've no chance of a spot haha

[Piarco]

You got that right mate! Pretty much tired of all my toffee mates texting me all season with updates like "11 points now!" etc... I'd love to be able to shove it down their throats at the end of the season if we get the CL spot!
I'm safe in the knowledge that they will go back to their perennially underperforming relegation-dodging ways next year: they've been the Premierships fluke team for long enough!

Thought of the handle "iScouse" about two weeks after I'd registered with MR! Now that would have been sweet as I don't think anyone else has it...

[bentley]

Hmph, and did you really think you'd go much further? Obscurity suits you....

we did go further. 2 rounds further.

Burnley obscure? We started the football league. Dominated British footballs in the 60s and 70s, won the League twice, the FA cup once and got pretty far in Europe.

In the Championship and pretty crap now, but thats beside the point. We knocked you out. :)

[evoluzione]

You got that right mate! Pretty much tired of all my toffee mates texting me all season with updates like "11 points now!" etc... I'd love to be able to shove it down their throats at the end of the season if we get the CL spot!
I'm safe in the knowledge that they will go back to their perennially underperforming relegation-dodging ways next year: they've been the Premierships fluke team for long enough!

Thought of the handle "iScouse" about two weeks after I'd registered with MR! Now that would have been sweet as I don't think anyone else has it...


so dump the Piarco75 handle and register iScouse......



looks like Didi is out for the Juve games. not good news, he's been playing well of late.

if you fancy more 'pool chat, come visit us at the NYC supporters club... lfcny.org


as for our injuries....what's going on? think the training is suspicious or what?

[WinterMute]

looks like Didi is out for the Juve games. not good news, he's been playing well of late.

if you fancy more 'pool chat, come visit us at the NYC supporters club... lfcny.org


as for our injuries....what's going on? think the training is suspicious or what?

We always play better with Hamann on the park, he won the FA cup for us after all...

I was wondering about the training, it seems that we're experiencing a massive increase in injuries, do you think Rafa is pushing too hard to get the players to conform to his ideas?

We definitely need some cover now, and Dudek really has had one chance too many in my book.

The run in looks pretty tough for us and the Blue-noses, I think we'll take them though.

Not too sure about Juve however...

[evoluzione]

We always play better with Hamann on the park, he won the FA cup for us after all...

I was wondering about the training, it seems that we're experiencing a massive increase in injuries, do you think Rafa is pushing too hard to get the players to conform to his ideas?

We definitely need some cover now, and Dudek really has had one chance too many in my book.

The run in looks pretty tough for us and the Blue-noses, I think we'll take them though.

Not too sure about Juve however...



i guess igor will start in place of didi then, or maybe vladi, he scored against he blue slime in the reserve match, could be good, not a fan of his though. xabi may be back however, now that would be nice. garcia is getting better and better, as i predicted he would (have been calling him kenny since day one).

dudek is getting better too, still beaten at his near post mind. we need someone else for sure

[Piarco]

If Xabi's back for tonight I'll be chuffed - go knows we're gonna need all the quality we can muster, but it is still on our park though. I'm hoping that is going to count for something!
Anyone else amazed that Traore actually did something useful in providing the scoring pass?!? First time I was thankful he was on the pitch!

He's still a donkey though :D

Garcia is getting better all of the time, I still think his away form needs to improve. He is a huge threat at Anfield, and I want him to do the same on tour!
I originally though the injuries highlighted the lack of depth of squad - then I looked at the full squad listing and realised it just wasn't the case! I know we've had some unlucky breaks on the pitch (literally!) but the sheer volume of injuries is suspect. Combine that with suspensions (Milan - don't you know were short on strikers as it is?!?!) and you do get worried about what we have to offer in the close season.
Carson seemed alright in goal against Bolton, but I'd rather have Kirkland back and fit. Actually, back and unbreakable would be better! We didn't spend 8.1Mil on a sicknote.......

Things on the blue side have gone all quiet since the weekend results..... they know the inevitable is coming.......

Predictions for tonight?

[Don't panic]

Predictions for tonight?

1-1 Baros, Nedved

[evoluzione]

i predicted 2-1 before the game, but not with sami scoring the first, what were the odds on that one i wonder!


garcia is indeed getting better and better, i saw his potential in his first game, "kenny garcia" as i called him. troare has shrugged off his "bambi on ice" look and has put in some great performances, will get better and better as well. anthony le tallac looked very good, another future star, if we don't shunt him back to france!

some wonderful stuff in the first half also, classic pass and move style. the 'pool of old.

very happy, shame carson let the away goal in, did pull off a wonderful save from del piero earlier though, so not too worried...

[WinterMute]

Good stuff in the 1st half, we made them look very ordinary, couldn't last though, but I'd have taken 2-1 before kick off.

I'd just love to see what we could do with Cisse, Alonso and Morientes all on the park, not to mention Simi, Hamann and Kirkland.

I thought Stevie was a bit quiet going forward in the second half, but he was all over them in the 1st.

They have to beat us now.

[Piarco]

I thought it would end up 2-1 to us too, but was gutted we let in the goal. Carson is doing well considering he's our third stringer and not even out of his teens, but as WinterMute says, with a stronger team out (injuries allowing) and if we take it to them like we did in the first half, I think we can pull this off.

I'm actually beginning to think the impossible now......

[WinterMute]

Liverpool made Juventus look very ordinary tonight... :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Xabi Alonso and Cisse back, Biscan playing football like he means it, Dudek NOT making mistakes...

Why is our form iin Europe so much better than our domestic form?

So, Chelski in the semi's, With Stevie and Xabi in the midfield, Baros and Cisse leading the line and a defence that looks better all the time, (where did Djimi get all that FORM from?) I reckon we can do this.

Milan in the finals anyone?

Bring it.

[evoluzione]

well, i predicted a 1-1 draw, but i'll take the 0-0 :D

awesome performance all round. and Djimi has been good since he started, just needed match practice and more confidence. he's always been a superb tackler, and he's now shrugged off his "bambi on ice" routine...

we'll beat chelski in the semi's, we should have beat them in the LCF but thanks to dodgy refereeing we lost.

i only hope cisse scores some class goals, and not his usual one trick pony stuff, boot it to the touchline and run after it.

great to have xabi back though, him and gerrard bossin' things, fantastic.

[Blue Velvet]

we'll beat chelski in the semi's...

We shall see. :D

If your recent patchy league form is any guide, I remain optimistic that it will be Chelsea that makes that final.

[WinterMute]

We shall see. :D

If your recent patchy league form is any guide, I remain optimistic that it will be Chelsea that makes that final.

Ah, but this ain't the league is it? This is Europe, and we own it, bought and paid for years ago... :D

I don't know why our form is so good in Europe when it's so inconsistent at home, but I know that we're the most succesful team over two-legged ties ever, and Stevie G has something to prove... :D ;)

Never mind the millions, you're going down, Blue-girl.

[Blue Velvet]

Never mind the millions, you're going down, Blue-girl.

Don't make me come back and force you to eat your words...
Ever wanted to see a grown man cry? :D :p

[pivo6]

You two can argue which English team will make the finals, but either team will end up losing to Milan, provided the result holds up. Although I'd rather see PSV beating your teams.

[Blue Velvet]

May I be the first to congratulate Liverpool and all its fans here tonight.

Unfortunately, I was stuck indoors listening to Alan Green shout himself hoarse on Radio 5live. Sounded we put you guys under a lot of pressure but the best team won in the end.

Sad that Duff & Robben couldn't quite make it fully to the party and from the sound of it there were some weird substitutions... and did that ball cross the line? As I've said, I don't have a TV so I guess I'll only read the match report somewhere...

Anyway, all the best and unless you face PSV (my childhood faves) I'll be wishing you all well for Istanbul.

:D

[WinterMute]

I have nothing else to say other than:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=1431005&postcount=99








(plus I have no voice left from shouting at the telly... :D )

[MacsRgr8]

May I be the first to congratulate Liverpool and all its fans here tonight.

Unfortunately, I was stuck indoors listening to Alan Green shout himself hoarse on Radio 5live. Sounded we put you guys under a lot of pressure but the best team won in the end.

Sad that Duff & Robben couldn't quite make it fully to the party and from the sound of it there were some weird substitutions... and did that ball cross the line? As I've said, I don't have a TV so I guess I'll only read the match report somewhere...

Anyway, all the best and unless you face PSV (my childhood faves) I'll be wishing you all well for Istanbul.

:D

Although I'm not a Liverpool fan (Gunner here!!) I am really glad to see the Mersey side Reds in the final.
Blue Velvet is a good sport. This CL seemed just so on the cards for Chelsea this year..... Better luck next year (unless ofcourse you might happen to meet Arsenal if we can ever make it to the semi-finals.... :rolleyes: ).
BTW, as a Dutch guy, I am hoping for a PSV win tomorrow, ofcourse! It would be so great to see a Liverpool-PSV match as the final. What a pleasant surprize that would be. :)

As PSV's chances a very slim tomorrow, I expect a Liverpool-AC Milan final.

Go, Liverpool! :cool:

[dstorey]

OMG, we are in the final!!!! Makes up for all them losses and heart ache in the league and beer cup final. Those 6 mins...how long were they? I thought Cisse had scored, and oh what a save from the cech guy. Mourinho said that the best team lost, but they didn't do enough to break us down and thus deserve a place in the final. Actually, I think Dude only made one save, and we had the most dangerous chances in the game (the goal, and Cisse twice), plus the Baros chance in the first game. I think it was Townsend on ITV that said if the goal didn't go in then the ref had the whistle to his mouth and Cech would have been off, so I think it would have been advantage us if it was a goal or not.

Damn, I've never felt like this since we got to the UEFA Cup final under Ged, and what a game that was. Oh and Carradona was awesome today. You can keep your Terry's and Ferdinands, that boys improving by the day. I even forgive him that hew used to have a blue nose.

[Winston Smith]

Oh yes!, oh yes!, oh yes!,

Mourinho sounded so sick on the way home on the radio.

I haven't felt this way since I was an 18 year old kid before Heysel at the end of the glory years.

What a few days its been....

[evoluzione]

May I be the first to congratulate Liverpool and all its fans here tonight.

...

Anyway, all the best and unless you face PSV (my childhood faves) I'll be wishing you all well for Istanbul.

:D



thanks Blue, much appreciated. i still am not convinced the ball was over, and i'm good at calling these things. however, Cech is lucky he didn't see red, that should have been a penalty, and probably would have been pulled back for one had the ref not given it to Garcia. guess it works out in the end...

25th May! and what a date that is for us :)

[clayj]

Why, oh why can't the soccer folks get their act together and install some sort of pinhole cameras inside the goal so that there's no question about goals?

[Kato C.]

Oh yes!, oh yes!, oh yes!

Take a few deep breaths... :D

A neighbour (a couple of years from the UK) was over the moon this morning because of the game last night. Apparently his dad took him to a Liverpool championship game when he was 10, and he is now flying back to England to take his aged dad to the game in Istanbul. Really a nice story.


By the way, is anyone following the World Hockey Championships on right now....didn't think so.

[WinterMute]

OK, so it's Milan in the final, but only by the away goal, they looked vulnerable at the back. :eek:

I'm really pleased that it's Milan in one way, not so in another, either way, we'll 'ave 'em. :D

[BakedBeans]

Take a few deep breaths... :D

A neighbour (a couple of years from the UK) was over the moon this morning because of the game last night. Apparently his dad took him to a Liverpool championship game when he was 10, and he is now flying back to England to take his aged dad to the game in Istanbul. Really a nice story.


By the way, is anyone following the World Hockey Championships on right now....didn't think so.


he might be taking him to istanbul, but i highly doubt he will get 2 tickets for the game

[evoluzione]

he might be taking him to istanbul, but i highly doubt he will get 2 tickets for the game


there's plenty of tickets to be had, if you know the right people. if only i didn't have ins problems, i'd be going.

[BakedBeans]

there's plenty of tickets to be had, if you know the right people. if only i didn't have ins problems, i'd be going.

course there is mate, course there is

[dstorey]

dunno if this is the best place to post, but a liverpool site is looking for ideas for a redesign etc, and I had to get a few sample sites done for a chance of a web job, so I thought I'd do a mockup. What does everyone think? Any suggestions etc? http://www.usefulindex.com/koptalk/ I also had a go redesigning the logo, but I'm no graphic designer.... http://www.usefulindex.com/koptalk/images/koptalk.png I sent the site the link, but as of yet i've not heard anything.

[WinterMute]

OMFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3-0 at half time, dead and buried.....

Stevie G and Didi Hamann dragged that game back by the scruff of it's neck.

I take back every bad word I've ever said about Vladi Smicer and Jerzy Dudek.

What a game...

I've lost my voice.

GET IT YOU BEAUTIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Liverpool FC European Champions 2005

[Loge]

Congratulations Liverpool

There's only one team in Europe !!!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[MacsRgr8]

And as mentioned in this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1481463#post1481463) ...

Congratulations!!

Hats off to you Reds!

What a comeback!

Here's to your return next year..... come on, UEFA.... let it happen!

[Fredstar]

Bloody brilliant come back, i nearly left at half time (i am a Arsenal fan) but was a brilliant end. Deserved victory by the scoucers :)

[Piarco]

HOLY CRAP!!!

THE MIGHTY REDS ARE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS AGAIN!!! NUMBER 5!!!

Haven't stopped shaking!!! Unbelieveable!

GET IN!!!!!!!!

And we get to keep Ol' Big Ears forever!

[Don't panic]

Anyone know if everton is going to give up its CL spot to let liverpool play? Is there much pressure on them in the uk in this direction?

[Wes]

Anyone know if everton is going to give up its CL spot to let liverpool play? Is there much pressure on them in the uk in this direction?

Everton aren't going to give it up and they have no obligation to do so. There are talks ongoing at UEFA.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Anyone know if everton is going to give up its CL spot to let liverpool play? Is there much pressure on them in the uk in this direction?NO!

[Don't panic]

Everton aren't going to give it up and they have no obligation to do so. There are talks ongoing at UEFA.
I understand they have no obligation, but FA could just decide to do so. That 's what happened in spain a few years ago with Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza. Liverpool will certainly represent them better than everton (no offense to everton fans] as they are the holder.
Wasn't it actually an FA rule until last year?

[andym172]

I understand they have no obligation, but FA could just decide to do so. That 's what happened in spain a few years ago with Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza. Liverpool will certainly represent them better than everton (no offense to everton fans] as they are the holder.
Wasn't it actually an FA rule until last year?

As a life long LFC fan I'm still on cloud nine :D

Everton will definitely play in the CL this season. It's been decided. The end.

UEFA are now to meet to decide whether or not to give England an extra CL place. Under the current rules no more than 4 teams from the same league can play in the competition - this is what they'll be discussing in the next couple of days.

I'm pretty sure they allow us entry, BUT I do think it will be in the knock-out stages.

Not ideal, but I'd be happy with that :)

[Don't panic]

As a life long LFC fan I'm still on cloud nine :D

Everton will definitely play in the CL this season. It's been decided. The end.

UEFA are now to meet to decide whether or not to give England an extra CL place. Under the current rules no more than 4 teams from the same league can play in the competition - this is what they'll be discussing in the next couple of days.

I'm pretty sure they allow us entry, BUT I do think it will be in the knock-out stages.

Not ideal, but I'd be happy with that :)

I am uneasy about bullying uefa into changing the rules just to please FA. The rules are clear in the sense that there are 4 spots and its up to the League to decide how to allocate them.
FA screwed up and now want UEFA to fix it by rewarding their screw up with an extra place.

I think FA should allow LFC to play and send everton to the uefa cup, however unfair that might seeem to everton. Alternatively they could have LFC play Everton in a pre-qualifier. This would ensure that only 4 english clubs would participate in the CL proper (having 5 would be complicated, unfair to other leagues and Zaragoza in particular and set a bad precendent in changing rule to accomodate powerful teams/leagues).

I hope that the FA changes their allocation procedure for the future. Of course if they get their fifth spot, than this should be extented to all leagues and made a permanent change.

[andym172]

I am uneasy about bullying uefa into changing the rules just to please FA. The rules are clear in the sense that there are 4 spots and its up to the League to decide how to allocate them.
FA screwed up and now want UEFA to fix it by rewarding their screw up with an extra place.

I think FA should allow LFC to play and send everton to the uefa cup, however unfair that might seeem to everton. Alternatively they could have LFC play Everton in a pre-qualifier. This would ensure that only 4 english clubs would participate in the CL proper (having 5 would be complicated, unfair to other leagues and Zaragoza in particular and set a bad precendent in changing rule to accomodate powerful teams/leagues).

I hope that the FA changes their allocation procedure for the future. Of course if they get their fifth spot, than this should be extented to all leagues and made a permanent change.

Sadly we (LFC) don't have the political power with our FA that Real Madrid have with theirs.

Everton are in, I see nothing changing that. And to be honest, I'd feel a real injustice for Everton if we were to take their place - we all started with zero points and all knew that we needed to get 4th place or above to get into the Champions League. What I'm trying to say is that we only have ourselves to blame, nobody else should be affected just because we weren't able to reach that goal.

Maybe the FA could have dealt with it better (especially given their comments regarding the possibility of this happening to either Arsenal or Chel$ki last season), but personally I prefer a set target: gain 4th place or above and you've qualified. Definite. No questions.

The FA haven't been great, but more so I feel UEFA have been a little simplistic in their approach. How it could ever be considered to have a CHAMPIONS League, without THE CHAMPIONS to defend it is beyond me :confused:

There is one positive IF they don't allow us entry, and that is that we shall forever be Undefeated Champions ;) :D

[clayj]

The rule should be changed quite simply to reflect that the champion always has the right to defend their crown... they're the very first in line to compete in the tournament. If this means someone else (in this case, Everton) gets bumped, too bad.

[Don't panic]

There is one positive IF they don't allow us entry, and that is that we shall forever be Undefeated Champions ;) :D

That is very true! :D

I agree with you on all points, and that eventually UEFA should change the rule to allow the champions to defend the title independently of their league performance -and I would extend the privilege to the uefa cup winner- (this would be from the lowest entry point if they don't qualify normally), but i am not sure it should be changed this year on the fly.
truth to be said, all major tournaments (including the World Cup) moved away from automatic holder berth, though i'm not sure why.

I mean, the (new) UEFA CL rules were always very clear: 4 teams max per country, including title defender, selected by the national federation. This has been in place for a while with everyone's blessing and a lot of pressure from thee smaller federations (I am sure that when spanish teams were not awarded 5 spots 3 ys ago, not too many other european teams/leagues complained).

So it was down to the FA to decide. and until a few months ago (and clearly stated last year) the provision that they were 3+1 spots was there. Only very recently they clarified that the premiership was the only deciding factor, and I suspect that there was some degree of political gamble in the sense that they thought they could de facto force UEFA to add one spot if Liverpool won. It looks they might be right in this, but that means someone will be wronged (in addition it offsets the league ranking system in favour of -in this case- england, unless they move to even more baroque point system).

As mentioned in the earlier post, I think the 'less unfair' way (to LFC, everton and the other teams) could be to have LFC enter at the first round, and then simply make it a rule that in the third, when everton is up, they play each other. And then this would become the permanent way to deal with non-qualified title holders. This would ensure no more than 4 english teams (but at least 3 ;)) in the group stage, decided by the field.
Or UEFA could save one (or two) wild card spot to be assigned to the highest uefa-ranked non-qualified team (indipendently of league quota)
What do you think?

[Jaffa Cake]

I think it would be terribly unfair if Everton lose out on the Champions League. All the teams were told in advance the criteria for qualification – and the Toffees met these criteria and fully deserve their place in next years competition. But I certainly agree that Liverpool should be given the opportunity to defend their title. The European Cup has been altered beyond all recognition of what it was originally (a cup contested by European Champions only) into a bloated mess for the benefit of Europe's elite. To deny the European Club Champions entry makes it even more farcical. The only way to qualify should be by winning either your national league or the European Cup itself.

I'd also like to see a return to heavy leather footballs and ridiculously long shorts like they had in the olden days. ;)

[Don't panic]

I think it would be terribly unfair if Everton lose out on the Champions League. All the teams were told in advance the criteria for qualification – and the Toffees met these criteria and fully deserve their place in next years competition. But I certainly agree that Liverpool should be given the opportunity to defend their title. The European Cup has been altered beyond all recognition of what it was originally (a cup contested by European Champions only) into a bloated mess for the benefit of Europe's elite. To deny the European Club Champions entry makes it even more farcical. The only way to qualify should be by winning either your national league or the European Cup itself.

I'd also like to see a return to heavy leather footballs and ridiculously long shorts like they had in the olden days. ;)

you have some point, but it's not true that the criteria were that clear in advance. it was established definitively only a few weeks ago.

also a comment on my own wild card suggestion: this year the first non-qualified is Valencia (ranked #2) followed by Liverpool (#5) so we need 2 spots :)

p.s.: SUBBUTEO!!!!

[Jaffa Cake]

Well, Liverpool are in. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4613695.stm)

The article mentions they won't get 'country protection' so they could be drawn against one of the other English sides – a tie against Everton could be very interesting... ;)

[Loge]

and in future the title holders will be admitted automatically, so we don't get a repeat of this nonsense. I still think that once drawn against Chelsea, the FA just didn't think LFC could win it.

[evoluzione]

well, we are indeed in. but seriously, could they (UEFA) have given us anything worse? I'd rather not be in the CL to be honest.

let's hope Rafa gets some transfers sorted prior to the qualifiers...

[exemacs]

well, we are indeed in. but seriously, could they (UEFA) have given us anything worse? I'd rather not be in the CL to be honest.

let's hope Rafa gets some transfers sorted prior to the qualifiers...


I think we need to purchase about 8 players to keep the squad from tiring towards the end of the season, We could end up playing 70 games this season.

[Loge]

well, we are indeed in. but seriously, could they (UEFA) have given us anything worse? I'd rather not be in the CL to be honest.

let's hope Rafa gets some transfers sorted prior to the qualifiers...

At least we have a seeding - and so would avoid Man U, Rangers or Celtic in round three, although we could still get unseeded Everton.

[evoluzione]

i hope we end up playing the team from the Faroe Islands. apparently most of the team support LFC so they'd probably make sure they get beaten comprehensively...not that the result would be in any doubt i'm sure... :) The team did make it through to the second qualifying stage once mind, but that was only because the team they were playing didn't show up :D

wouldn't it be sweet to meet the toffeemen and knock them out as early as possible though??

[Don't panic]

Well, Liverpool are in

good.
I hope the tie with everton will materialize

[Piarco]

wouldn't it be sweet to meet the toffeemen and knock them out as early as possible though??

After the abuse I suffered at the hands of my blue mates (before we became European Champions :D) along the lines of "Red Sh*te, Red Sh*te Channel 5, Red Sh*te Channel 5", I would love nothing better than to dump them straight out of the Champions League......god it would be sweeeeeeeeet!



N.B. For those not in the UK, Channel 5 shows the UEFA cup, and not the Champions League

[evoluzione]

well, good riddance Steven Gerrard. You've shown your true colours, finally. And they're not Red.

Liverpool Football Club has done everything you've asked of them, including the impossible dream of winning you the Champions League (and you even slept with the trophy that night) and you still want to leave...you're obviously not worthy of the honour of wearing the Red shirt of LFC.

No player is bigger than the club, and that includes you, maybe you'll go and help keep Michael Owen's bench warm in Madrid. Maybe you'll score another own goal in a LFC v Chelski game, that would be nice.

goodbye Stevie la', break a leg.

[WinterMute]

well, good riddance Steven Gerrard. You've shown your true colours, finally. And they're not Red.

Liverpool Football Club has done everything you've asked of them, including the impossible dream of winning you the Champions League (and you even slept with the trophy that night) and you still want to leave...you're obviously not worthy of the honour of wearing the Red shirt of LFC.

No player is bigger than the club, and that includes you, maybe you'll go and help keep Michael Owen's bench warm in Madrid. Maybe you'll score another own goal in a LFC v Chelski game, that would be nice.

goodbye Stevie la', break a leg.

Couldn't have put it better myself, I thought he was reluctant to say anything after the final.

Still, we probably wouldn't have won it without him, and the team proved several times that they can play without him.

I hope he won't end up at Stamford Bridge, but I think he probably will.

Liverpool have rejected a £32,000,000 bid from Chelski already, so if they want him it'll have to be more, that kind of money buys very good players and we already have a few good uns... Hamann, Garcia, Alonso amd now Zenden.

It's been a blast Stevie, but you can't be a hero forever.

[Sabbath]

It's been a blast Stevie, but you can't be a hero forever.

It's a sad day, but yet in a different way to when Robbie left. It's a shame Stevie wouldn't give us another year as champions of Europe. I doubt this year will be as bad in terms of the league this year with or without Stevie. However, it just won't quite be the same without the local boy driving it forward, in the way only Stevie can from the middle of the park. I look forward to England games more though, he's a very special player and scarely probably deserves that £150k/wk :eek:


At least we're going to get a good chunk of money for new players, unlike Owen leaving.

[evoluzione]

£100,000 a week. crikey, it's a lot of dosh. he won't have to worry about when to retire at that rate, plus all his endorsements. i'll be pretty amazed if it is a pure greed motivated move.

anyway, i think we'll be fine without him, and yeah, of course he helped us win the Cup, but so did many others, how about Garcia's stunning goal against Juve? there's a half dozen players who got us through to the final, and helped win it, including Alonso, who the team promised to get to the final for.

Yes, Steven you may have been a Kop Hero, but you'll never be a Kop Legend.

[evoluzione]

Michael Ballack may be available for a move to Anfield...

a Ballack-Alonso-Zenden-Garcia midfield looks pretty damn great to me right now...

[Jaffa Cake]

well, good riddance Steven Gerrard. You've shown your true colours, finally.Hang on... he might not be off just yet... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4654837.stm)

[BakedBeans]

he is staying now, nice one kid... you almost made a huge huge mistake

[WinterMute]

Hang on... he might not be off just yet... (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4654837.stm)

Bugger me, he's staying.... :D

What a balls-up.

I reckon they only did it to piss Chelski off... :D

OK, I'm glad we have the services of the best midfielder in Europe, but I don't think my heart can stand it any more, can we really trust him now?

[evoluzione]

Bugger me, he's staying.... :D

What a balls-up.

I reckon they only did it to piss Chelski off... :D

OK, I'm glad we have the services of the best midfielder in Europe, but I don't think my heart can stand it any more, can we really trust him now?



yeah, this is good news, more for the fact that his head is straight, and he knows how much LFC wanted to keep him, there's no doubt in his mind, therefore, we should see less of his half-arsed performances which we saw way too many of last season.

a spell on the bench will do the boy good, but he seems to have been knocked down a peg, by himself too, which is the best thing.

and yeah, he almost made the biggest mistake of his life, but he saw it. maybe he was reading al the LFC forums around the world and realised he'd be stupid to leave haha

[Wes]

a spell on the bench will do the boy good, but he seems to have been knocked down a peg, by himself too, which is the best thing.


A spell on the bench and he'd be the hell out of a team that will come to realise they aren't that great without him... :p

[evoluzione]

A spell on the bench and he'd be the hell out of a team that will come to realise they aren't that great without him... :p


yeah ok, that's why we didn't miss him all that much when he wasn't playing. :rolleyes:

not that i expected much from a ManUre fan, how're things at Sold Trafford eh??

[WinterMute]

not that i expected much from a ManUre fan, how're things at Sold Trafford eh??

Oh, that's gonna leave a bruise.... :D

[evoluzione]

anyone have a DVD recorder or can record onto their Mac???

please read this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=1583927)

cheers!

[evoluzione]

nearly time for the new season!

anyone have any predictions as to where we're going to end up this coming season???


me, well, i'm thinking 3rd in the Prem, knocked out in the semi's of the CL, not giving an arse about the League Cup, and winning the FA Cup.


and as for Stevie G, well, 7 goals already and it ain't even begun! (CL goals count in the tally)

[BakedBeans]

im thinking with owen looking likely to return (milan seems to have agreed a deal with villa, more info this morning) if we get a half decent right winger and centerback then there is no reason why we cant finnish top spot, my prediction is second.

[andym172]

I'm going to go for 2nd as well.

As boring as they are to watch, I think Chel$ki will be a little too strong - their squad is head and shoulders above any other right now.

Rafa is King though, and I'm hoping now that he has some semblance of the type of squad he wants, that we can now move to the next level.

As much as I like Cisse I still don't think we have a 20-goal-per-season striker and so would very much welcome the return of St Mike :)

[Piarco]

I'm thinking second or third. Man U are looking very very shaky - not sure how much the takeover is a result of that. I bet Ferguson is wishing he'd retired when he was supposed to. Can't see them winning anything again this year.
Anyone think that we should buy Owen back? He's good for at least 16 goals a season. I'd like to see him back in a red shirt (and definately not the red of ManUre ), but its looking increasingly likely he may be in the black and white of Newcastle. I have less of a problem with that.
Although if he performs well for them I may be £20 down - it riding on Sourness being the first manager to be sacked before Christmas......

[WinterMute]

I have mixed feelings about Owen heading elsewhere in the Premiership, he was such a iconic figure for us, and playing against him will seem a but weird.

Still, God didn't go to Man City and shake the earth did he?

In the end, he'll come back or he won't and we'll have to deal with him the way we'll have to deal with all the others.

Thought Sissoko looked good last week... needs to stop trying too hard though. Good to have the cover.

[Piarco]

That's true.... and thinking about it, no-one who left from God's period has had much success.... Redknapp, McManaman... even David James, despite his England call-ups, is still a massive liability (anyone remember him blaming his Nintendo obsession for his crap keeping?).

Still bring the boy home ;)

Did anyone watch the documentary on Sky on Friday? Liverpool: One Night In May
Good programme, and good memories from one awesome night... even now in I still can't believe we came back from 3 down. Nice little insights into what the players did.. Like Garcia telling Carragher and everyone else not to touch the cup on the way out as its bad luck - and then watched 2 of the Milan players touch it :D

[evoluzione]

Did anyone watch the documentary on Sky on Friday? Liverpool: One Night In May


managed to grab that off BT yesterday, am looking forward to watching that later on.


who's going to be our top scorer this season? i'm thinking Garcia may be up there again, along with Stevie, but Cisse is looking like he's hitting form, thank goodness.

it's been a long time, but i'm actually really excited for the upcoming season, i think we have a good team/squad and a great manager who now knows what he needs to about the english game.

[Piarco]

I have to consider the quality of our opposition so far, but Cisse has been looking very, very sharp. But I think you may be right with Garcia. As long as he sorts out his away form (still lacks a bit of confidence in the back end of last season) he should be a fantastic performer. And of course Sir Steven Gerrard will be knocking in a few 30ft screamers I have no doubt :D

Such a shame to see the Toffees go down 2-1 tonight ;)

And even more of a shame that the other northwest team scrapped through. Still can't believe they were held to ransom by Ferdinand.... £120,000 a week?!? No way in hell is he worth that. Yet another mercenary.

But back to the Reds..... for the first time in a couple of years, I'm daring to hope for big things....

[andym172]

who's going to be our top scorer this season?



Owen ;) :D

If not, then Gerrard.

[WinterMute]

Top scorer?

Cisse, then Morientes (when he gets his shooting boots on) followed closely by Stevie G and Garcia.

Crouch will weigh in with a few too, in fact you can see goals coming from all over the park now Carra's back in the goals... ;)

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Thought you might like today's Pondus. Pondus and his creator are true Liverpool supporters and a highly recommended comic strip. Daily strips in Englis can be found here (http://my.opera.com/community/pondus/), thanks to the MyOpera Community.

[Piarco]

3-1 last night then - glad to see both Cisse and Morientes scoring. Didn't see the match myself but from what the Beeb says, it was against the run of play. Sounds like th crowd were quite partizan too.

I was going to put Cisse into my Fantasy Football team for this year, but couldn't quite afford him, so had to make do with Robbie Keane instead. Anyone else in an FF league?

[WinterMute]

3-1 last night then - glad to see both Cisse and Morientes scoring. Didn't see the match myself but from what the Beeb says, it was against the run of play. Sounds like th crowd were quite partizan too.

I was going to put Cisse into my Fantasy Football team for this year, but couldn't quite afford him, so had to make do with Robbie Keane instead. Anyone else in an FF league?

Morientes looks like he could score a hatful with the right service, his 1st was a cracker, Cisse will make more goals for himself I think, damn he's quick. We played well in sections, some very nice midfield stuff from Xabi and Stevie G, Riise looks hungry and Warnock looks to be useful at the back.

Sissoko came on for a spell and was busy, and the new lad, Barragan got on and was lively too.

We tended to switch off towards the end of halves, got hit in the first half and narrowly missed conceding another in added time, but for a smart save from Reina, who was solid for the most part, but I still have reservations.

3-2 at Anfield would have been a different story, but I think it was a decent display all round.

[pknz]

Indeed good to Moro do the business.

Still waiting with anticipation of a new defender...(Upson anyone?)

And these rumors of Owens return.

Great topic only saw it today.

[evoluzione]

well, that 0-0 draw against Boro was somewhat disappointing, but at least we're taking back one point more than last year, and we got them out of the way.

i'm hoping for scouser Jewell's Wigan to beat Chelski today, that would make my weekend!

oh, i'm in California (Anaheim) for the Sunderland game, anyone know of a place to watch???

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Thought you guys from the wrong side of town would like today's (Norwegian) Pondus (as I've said before both the character Pondus and his creator are Liverpool fans). Enjoy:

http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=29687&stc=1

Caption: At the same time, a bit further up...

Jesus: Milan is up 3 - 0 at halftime! This is over!

God: We'll see about that...

[dagaul]

f***ing Gerard. he probably went into the dressing room at halftime and said to the boys, "well done lads, now just defend that lead and we'll be fine", meanwhile, in the Arsenal dressing room..."you bleeding idiots! get out there and play some football!", so they do, and the Reds roll over and die, again.

congrats to the arse though, Henry is superb. I did forget how much I hate the gooners though, they're a dirty bunch at times, especially Lauren, Cole, and Soloman.

good luck to 'em though, wouldn't it be something to see them go all the way without losing eh? and go stuff the toon for us on Sunday :) (even though i like 'castle)


Who thinks liverpool will do it in euro again this season?

[evoluzione]

Who thinks liverpool will do it in euro again this season?


not quite sure why you quoted that....


anyway, we have as much chance as anyone else, interesting performance yesterday against Real Betis, two beautiful goals, and that's always nice :)

[MacsRgr8]

not quite sure why you quoted that....


anyway, we have as much chance as anyone else, interesting performance yesterday against Real Betis, two beautiful goals, and that's always nice :)

Yep.
And good luck to you too. I'm so happy to see Liverpool in the CL this season. Would have been such drama if they were not allowed to defend their trophy. And I must admit I had a bad feeling.... but hey! Good stuff still can happen!

Gunners tonight!
Praying for one good CL season.... Premiership is going to be ever so hard to win this year. Just maybe we're going to get a little bit more lucky in Europe this time ;)

[clayj]

Liverpool moved into 4th in the Premiership with their 2-0 victory over Sunderland today! Nice to see them playing more up to their potential after lounging around in the middle of the rankings all season.

Also GREAT to see that they've had 5 or 6 clean sheets (no goals scored against them) IN A ROW!

[BakedBeans]

Yeah, not an amazing game last night but we turned in a workman like performance and seem to have broken the run of losses after champions league games.

We 'could' go 2nd on saturday morning if we beat wigan and we 'could' stay there if man utd and arsenal lose/draw

[Piarco]

Considering our start to the season, being 4th in December was something that I wasn't expecting! Apparantly Pepe Reina now equals the record for most clean sheets on the run (David James is the holder!!) - again with our shakey defence at the start of the year I wouldn't have predicted.

The issues around Rafa and Cisse continue though - the media report that he was dropped from the squad last night due to his reaction at being subbed against Man City at the weekend.

I still think Rafa will sell him come January. If he is that dead set against playing him maybe its best he goes - just as long we get a quality goalscorer... with Crouch still firing blanks (althought admittedly having good matches) we need someone to score the goals.

Why didn't we bring the boy Owen home? With Newcastles naff results recently, and the fact he's injured he probabvly wishes he was back were he belongs. Then again, the fact he isn't is more than likely down to Rafa...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Thought you might like another Pondus (http://my.opera.com/community/pondus/):

[evoluzione]

hah, nice cartoon ^


so, Chelsea in the Champions League today... a win would still be beautiful, even though we're through already. not sure what the team is going to be, what with our trip to Japan later this week. i think rafa's going to put out a strong team, but with an eye on injuries.


sorry to say i think it may be a 0-0 result.

[BakedBeans]

An away draw suits us nicely.... Boring Boring long ball chelsea

[Piarco]

An away draw suits us nicely.... Boring Boring long ball chelsea
Well, that's what we got! Always nice to finish above Chelski in anything;)
Can't believe that Essien got away with that tackle... hopefully FIFA will act upon it.

[BakedBeans]

Well, that's what we got! Always nice to finish above Chelski in anything;)
Can't believe that Essien got away with that tackle... hopefully FIFA will act upon it.

Mourinho is a plum.... a total plum. Didnt see essien but thought momo should have got send of.

The guy is a complete muppet in my opinion.

[Piarco]

You're not wrong. Most managers of his calibre have come out in support of ref's decision's regarding that level of tackling, but Mourinho a) conveniently didn't see it despite getting into a shouting match on the touchline about the tackle b) hasn't made any comment about it since.
Which is pretty pathetic....

[WinterMute]

I think "the special one" is beginning to realise that stocking your team with £20 million + players isn't actually a guarantee of success, I'm just happy that Rafa isn't in charge of Chelski, his tactical intelligence is plain to see, he's certainly worked out how to stop teams like Chelsea, (the 4-1 win aside), and I'm looking forward to seeing how well we do in the rest of the season.

<hoping the wheels don't fall off and Crouch scores a hatful>

[MacsRgr8]

Well... Arsenal through, together with Liverpool and Chelsea :)

Must admint, I had a giggle seeing Man Utd get kicked out :D :cool:

[Piarco]

Must admint, I had a giggle seeing Man Utd get kicked out :D :cool:
lol me too..... be watching the fallout all day. The fact they aren't even qualified for UEFA is even more hilarious! The new bosses aren't going to do anything, but on the boards of Sport606 the ManUre fans aren't happy:D.
With Ferguson talking about rebuilding, plus the fact the Glazier's aren't willing to fork out much cash, it very much looks like Ferguson is done.

Should have stuck to his orginal retirement plan, and left a couple of years ago....

[Piarco]

Looks like Essien is going to get punished for that tackle after all:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sport1/hi/football/europe/4506510.stm

[WinterMute]

Looks like Essien is going to get punished for that tackle after all:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/sport1/hi/football/europe/4506510.stm

Good, I've seen him go in studs-up too many times, he's going to cripple someone sooner or later.

£25 million my arse...:D

[Blue Velvet]

£25 million my arse...:D

Your arse? I'll offer a tenner. :D

[pknz]

£25 million my arse...:D Your arse? I'll offer a tenner.:D

*shakes head in disbelieg*

Another win overnight, Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle. Owens Anfield return.

[evoluzione]

continuing the top form, always nice. i think we're finally starting to play some top notch football. over the last few years i've watched arsenal and now chelski games and have always thought they were still a league above us, but now, we're just about there. i still think our goalscoring could improve, but the chances are now there...


and i think we've now equalled our "clean sheet" record, would be so beautiful to make it a new club record at the pit on wednesday. the derby is always an unpredictable affair, but this one, well, i'm confident about it :) i have a feeling it'll be a bit of a pasting.


it's getting rather exciting being a reds fan once again :D

[Piarco]

Must admit, the derby has me worried as they are always an unknown quantity. Despite the blue-nosed city sharers getting a 4-0 drumming on Boxing Day, they'll always raise (not hard at the mo!) their game for us.

But to put 4 past them would be sweeeeeet:D

[evoluzione]

looking forward to the game... they really are struggling, and if we can stifle drunkan out of the game as we did with shearer and the li'l welsh one the other day, it'll be a laugh.

the way the reds are playing recently, i can't help but get excited for this.

my prediction today... 5-1 to liverpool. :) carragher scores first :eek:

[Piarco]

I'll take the 3-1! Slightly gutted that we conceeded though, would have been nice to continue that run.
And its excellent to see that Crouch is getting the ball in the back of the net consistantly now...

[pknz]

Woohoo! 10 wins in a row, Crouch scored against WBA after 51mins. 1-0 sounds like it should have been more. And Flo got another run out which is always good to hear.

Anyone seen this Krokamp chap play?

[Piarco]

Never even heard of him before I read the BBC report! Lots of people doubt that he's as good as Finnan though...

[pknz]

Anyone else see the 'stamping' by Gerrard and Sisoko? I saw the highlights and think its all a bit of a pointless kerfuffle. Nolan doesn't want to press it but Allardryce make a point of talking it up.

And Diouf taunting Carragher how rude. At least he didn't spit.

[evoluzione]

Gerrard's "stamping" was nothing, yeah he landed on him whilst trying to jump over an incoming challenge, but it's nothing to be punished for, Big Sam is talking ****.

as for Momo's, well, he needs to calm down, and is lucky he didn't get in trouble for what looked like a blatant stamp. still Diouf deserves it ;) cheatin' bastard he is.


what was Rafa thinking though, Didi and Momo in midfield :rolleyes:

[pknz]

Gerrard's "stamping" was nothing, yeah he landed on him whilst trying to jump over an incoming challenge, but it's nothing to be punished for, Big Sam is talking ****.

as for Momo's, well, he needs to calm down, and is lucky he didn't get in trouble for what looked like a blatant stamp. still Diouf deserves it cheatin' bastard he is.


what was Rafa thinking though, Didi and Momo in midfield

Surprised Diouf didn't spit. I am betting on Sissoko to score against the Manure, either that or we need a short loan of Danny Murphy.

[Piarco]

Harry.
Kewell.
Scored.

I don't believe it. :D

Still, he has been a good utility player recently, and has been looking very sharp, just doesn't seem to ever threaten to get into a scoring position let alone score. Confidence?

I'd really like the boy to come good - anyone who leaves bigger offers aside to come to the club he supports has got to be worth the effort?

[WinterMute]

Harry.
Kewell.
Scored.

I don't believe it. :D

Still, he has been a good utility player recently, and has been looking very sharp, just doesn't seem to ever threaten to get into a scoring position let along score. Confidence?

I'd really like the boy to come good - anyone who leaves bigger offers aside to come to the club he supports has got to be worth the effort?

I've always wanted Harry to be excellent, but he's been invisible too many times and he owes us...

Great finish and he's been a busy little bee lately....:D

I'm waiting for better offers on my arse by the way, otherwise BV's getting a bargain...:eek:

[nostrum]

Lovin this thread. LFC fans and Mac owners!

Got to agree, Harry's finally started to come good. Rafa had more faith in him than most supporters. I wanted him to go but he's starting to show his Leeds Utd form.

[calean007]

so there's a ton of threads on the new iTunes/Music Store (which is great) but on a different note, i've realised that there are in fact a few fans of Liverpool Football Club (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv) here :)

WinterMute and dstorey are a couple, along with me of course :)

or indeed any football (soccer) fans in general? and who do you support, and why?

I support three clubs. Aberdeen FC, Leeds United FC, and Montrose FC. Aberdeen because it's the closest SPL team to Montrose. Montrose FC because that is the area of my anscestoral home, and Leeds United FC because I started following them years back and fell in love with the Yorkies. Currently LUFC is sitting at 3rd in the CCC and looking for a promotion place. Sheffield United, you are all scum! he he

[Jaffa Cake]

...and Leeds United FC because I started following them years back and fell in love with the Yorkies. Currently LUFC is sitting at 3rd in the CCC and looking for a promotion place.I can see me and you falling out, mate. ;)

[calean007]

I can see me and you falling out, mate. ;)

Falling out? You mean not liking each other? Whatever for? Oh blimey...you aren't a Sheffield Fan are ye? Bloody hell....


Nevermind...just saw your location...Hull City....even worse! he he just kidding...

[Piarco]

Lets stick to top flight quality teams, eh chaps?:D :D :D

Have to say Leeds is too big a city and (formally) too big a club to be anywhere but the Premiership. They've just been financially mis-managed in the past and have suffered as a consequence.

Any predictions for the big clash on Sunday? Both us and ManUre are resurgent, and it promises to be a good match.... In fact its looking too close to call for my liking.

If we win, we go 2 points clear of them. If we win our games in hand we go 8 points clear of them, but still 11 behind Chelsea. Sad to say but they've all but won the title already...

[calean007]

Lets stick to top flight quality teams, eh chaps?:D :D :D

Have to say Leeds is too big a city and (formally) too big a club to be anywhere but the Premiership. They've just been financially mis-managed in the past and have suffered as a consequence.

Any predictions for the big clash on Sunday? Both us and ManUre are resurgent, and it promises to be a good match.... In fact its looking too close to call for my liking.

If we win, we go 2 points clear of them. If we win our games in hand we go 8 points clear of them, but still 11 behind Chelsea. Sad to say but they've all but won the title already...

Quite right. Actually last year Leeds almost ceased to exist. That seriously was how bad things financially were, but it's been amazing how Kevin Blackwell the manager has been able to spend little money for quality footballers. When you say "us" what team do you support?

Also, are we all in agreement that it's o.k. to slag Scousers? LOL

[Piarco]

As for us... this is a Liverpool FC thread;)
Scouser.
Born.
Bred.
Red.

Just happen to have moved down South in the last couple of years after a lengthy stint living in Newcastle.
So no slating Scousers y'hear?:D Otherwise you'll be embroiled in "The Scousers Strike Back".... and find yourself without a car. :D :D :D

I do dully remember the liquidation threats surrounding Leeds, but like most clubs not in the Premiership, their plights aren't reported on as widely as thoses in the Premiership.

I used to travel to Leeds a lot (due to its location its an ideal conference city), and do like it great deal... well mainly the bars. And the Corn Exchange. Plus as a student it was a great place to go to due to the massive student population -many a debauced night had in Headingly! Then you have the cricket as well...

Can't say I've been to Elland Road though. Leeds supporters are known as being partisan to say the least! And god help any Man U supporters in Leeds <shudder>

[calean007]

As for us... this is a Liverpool FC thread;)
Scouser.
Born.
Bred.
Red.

Just happen to have moved down South in the last couple of years after a lengthy stint living in Newcastle.
So no slating Scousers y'hear?:D Otherwise you'll be embroiled in "The Scousers Strike Back".... and find yourself without a car. :D :D :D

I do dully remember the liquidation threats surrounding Leeds, but like most clubs not in the Premiership, their plights aren't reported on as widely as thoses in the Premiership.

I used to travel to Leeds a lot (due to its location its an ideal conference city), and do like it great deal... well mainly the bars. And the Corn Exchange. Plus as a student it was a great place to go to due to the massive student population -many a debauced night had in Headingly! Then you have the cricket as well...

Can't say I've been to Elland Road though. Leeds supporters are known as being partisan to say the least! And god help any Man U supporters in Leeds <shudder>

In Leeds, it's still legal to use a crossbow on any Man U supporters...also a good shoeing in the arse is equally acceptable..

[Piarco]

In Leeds, it's still legal to use a crossbow on any Man U supporters...also a good shoeing in the arse is equally acceptable..

You know, that sounds like a fantastic rule for the most of the UK.... doubley so for Cornwall where most Man U fans are based....

[calean007]

You know, that sounds like a fantastic rule for the most of the UK.... doubley so for Cornwall where most Man U fans are based....

God it's great to talk a bit of the footy with some new folk....


I have some football jokes to post, but I was wondering is here fine, or would a new thread be better...

Cornwall...their dutchess is old horseface Camilla....how could Charles go from hot lady to ugly as sin horse?

[Piarco]

I'd say this thread would be more suitable:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=118855

Or even its own thread - I'm sure other folks will have one or two choice jokes at the expense of other teams!

[Jaffa Cake]

Any predictions for the big clash on Sunday? Both us and ManUre are resurgent, and it promises to be a good match.... In fact its looking too close to call for my liking.We'll be watching on Saturday, and I know who I'll be hoping gets the win. Hopefully both teams will go out there and put on a good match – with Liverpool running out comfortable winners.

I'm not a great fan of Liverpool or owt – I just like seeing the look on Sir Alex's face after his team have had a good hiding... :D

[Piarco]

I'm not a great fan of Liverpool or owt – I just like seeing the look on Sir Alex's face after his team have had a good hiding... :D
It is precious isn't it?:D

[Jaffa Cake]

It is precious isn't it?:DIndeed – unfortunately, he seems to send that Carlos fella out to do most of the post-match interviews these days, so we don't see dear old Sir Alex looking grumpy as much as we used to... :(

[evoluzione]

We'll be watching on Saturday


the game's on Sunday mate...

[Jaffa Cake]

the game's on Sunday mate...Oh, I know – I'm just so excited about watching Liverpool play I'll be in my chair all ready to watch it on Saturday.

That's what I meant – honest... :o

[WinterMute]

Gutted.

We ran that game... How did Cisse miss that sitter?

On that showing we'll be up there at the end of the season, ManUre will be nowhere.

Losing to the mancs though..... :mad: :mad: :mad:

[Wes]

http://www.as.com/diarioasmedia/diarioas/media/200505/29/futbol/20050529dasdasftb_6_I_LCO.jpg

[evoluzione]

image removed...


*******

[pknz]

Get that tosser out of here. He's a durggie, should be banned and spat on. Like the Nevilles.

[Jaffa Cake]

I think Liverpool definitely deserved something out of the match, but that's football – you can dominate a game and the opposition just sneak it at the last. Hopefully you can make those two games in hand count and pull yourself up into second place, and have the last laugh come May.

And fret not – at least you're still in the running for European honours this season, unlike some teams I can think of – is that a Champions League patch I can see on Rio's arm there? Must be an old picture... :D

[Piarco]

*******

Agreed.

Get that tosser out of here. He's a durggie, should be banned and spat on. Like the Nevilles.

Also agreed.

Like Jaffa says we did play them off the pitch, unfortuately we didn't make the most of our chances. But this was a stronger performance against the old enemy than I've seen in years.. normally they are stormy affairs with the Mancs having all of the confidence, but its nice to see its swung the other way...

We WILL have our vengence!

[evoluzione]

...and i'd give most of our players no more than a 6/10

[MacsRgr8]

Is Man Ure by any chance a German side??

[BakedBeans]

when the ball hits the net,
its a fairly safe bet

THAT ITS FOWLER!

[evoluzione]

when the ball hits the net,
its a fairly safe bet

THAT ITS FOWLER!


i just heard!!!!

this is just awesome


i may even have to have a bet on him scoring a hat-trick on sunday!!!!!

woohoo!!! God is back!!!

[Jaffa Cake]

i may even have to have a bet on him scoring a hat-trick on sunday!!!!!You'd be wasting your money – he's cup-tied.

[WinterMute]

Being a stone athiest, I'm not supposed to believe in the second coming, but I had such a big smile on my face when I heard this yesterday....

Welcome back Robbie, come in, the kettles on...:D :D :D

[evoluzione]

You'd be wasting your money – he's cup-tied.



yeah i realised that a few hours after i posted :( didn't make a wager though...fortunately

[Piarco]

A mate who is a Chelski fan told me this yesterday, and after a couple minutes telling him to f.... um, "go away pleasure himself", I checked on the Beeb, and low and behold Robbie is coming home. No. Freakin'. Way.

Forgotten who the pundit who said this but " Fowler may be worth an extra 10 points this season to Liverpool". I'd love to be a Fortress Anfield for his "first" goal.... sweeeet:D

[BakedBeans]

Our Fowler
Thou art is scoring
Robbie be thy name
Thy transfer has been done
On a free as it is in January
Give us this day our favourite Red
Alonso will give you the best passes
As Carra stops those who pass against us
Deliver us the title
And lead us not into relegation
For eleven is your number
Forever and ever
Our man

[Piarco]

Our Fowler
Thou art is scoring
Robbie be thy name
Thy transfer has been done
On a free as it is in January
Give us this day our favourite Red
Alonso will give you the best passes
As Carra stops those who pass against us
Deliver us the title
And lead us not into relegation
For eleven is your number
Forever and ever
Our man

Best thing I've read all day!!:D :D :D

[BakedBeans]

Here you go fellas

[Blue Velvet]

FA Cup 5th round: Liverpool v. Man Utd :D

[evoluzione]

FA Cup 5th round: Liverpool v. Man Utd :D


retribution! :D

can't wait!

[WinterMute]

Bring that on!!!!!

:D :D :D :D

Lets see Neville dance with a flagpole at Anfield after a 3-0 drubbing.:D

[pknz]

Huzzah! No coverage of the match on TV, useless Sky. Anyway I see retribution via Blackburn. Blackburn 4-2 Manure:D And Gerrard just scored to:D :D Hows Agger doing?

[pknz]

FOWLERS ON

[pknz]

Where was that own goal scored from? On Soccernet, it has it way up front.

[clayj]

Where was that own goal scored from? On Soccernet, it has it way up front.Nah, that's the Birmingham player getting a red card, I think.

EDIT: Dammit, Xabi!

[MacsRgr8]

I read it on BBC's webpage.

Another good day for Wigan :D

Another bad one for us Gunners.... :(

[Piarco]

Nice prediction for the Blackburn game pknz! Ferdinand had a 'mare :D
So did Campbell by all reports - even storming out ot the Library after he was subbed as he was so disappointd in himself. Funny at the mo, bu it doesn't leave me confident for the World Cup...

Can't believe Xabi got an OG. On a night were all results go our way, he gets an og. Bad timing mate!

[pknz]

Grrrrr
2-0 loss, I am as dissapointed with Crouch as I am Reina. Up until the last 20mins we matched Chelsea in posession and play just not the scoreline. For me Crouch has the ability to jump and head a ball, he can't get enough power behind it nor enough accuracy. He hasn't got enough agression in him. Reina's neck grab(?) was stupid, wheather it was deserving of a red, Im not sure, a lot of Chelsea poofs were holding, grabbing and pushing him. Maybe a yellow would have been sufficient. Aside from that the ref did well. Gerrard had a very quiet second half.

Time to sign a Luis Boa Morte type striker, and Owen. Also, the young lino Gavin something is also deserving of mention, made some great calls.

Mourinho is still a git. Joe Cole runs with a lopsided face and stoned like eyes.

EDIT: From Liverpoolfc.tv
"I'm in a hurry and I must go to the hospital to see how Robben is, he could be in hospital for a week," commented Benitez.

"It's a crazy situation. Reina made a mistake when he was provoked and touched Robben on the face, but has he broken his neck? I don't understand why you can kick everyone in a game then you touch one player and you are sent-off.
Go Rafa!

[evoluzione]

well i wouldn't expect anything less from cheating whining chelski. it's such a shame, if they weren't as pathetic as they are in terms of whinging and cheating i'd have the utmost respect for them.

and as for reina, well, good on ya lad! he made a terrific tackle on gudjohnsen (sp?) and got the ball. robben on the other hand, should have been carded for dissent waving his arms around like a baby earlier on in the game, then having words with reina when reina was about to be booked (according to the refs report) so reina (what it looks like to me, and i'm always as unbiased as possible in these situations, i'll admit if i thought it was nasty) lifts his hands to pat him on the cheek, more of a gesture than anything and robben falls to the ground, like a baby. absolutely despicable. AND none of the chelski lot got carded for pushing reina on his way through. WHY??

i'm in no doubt that what reina did was not worthy of a card, not even a yellow.


and people wonder why chelski get no respect, claiming it's jealousy, well, i'm certainly not jealous of those cheating scumbags.

oh, BV i know you're a blue, i also believe that crespo's (spit) disallowed offside goal should have stood, he was not offside and it was a beautifully taken goal.


crouch was shite, as was warnock. benitez should've taken one of them off instead of garcia, bad bad decision.

ok, rant over, for now.

[pknz]

Considering staying up to watch Liverpool v Wigan. Its at 2am NZ time. I'm going to tape it anyway for a mate. But I have a football trial tomorrow, and then I'm going to go watch a game in the afternoon.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Will Fowler start?

[clayj]

Considering staying up to watch Liverpool v Wigan. Its at 2am NZ time. I'm going to tape it anyway for a mate. But I have a football trial tomorrow, and then I'm going to go watch a game in the afternoon.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Will Fowler start?Fowler did start today... 1-0 victory over Wigan on a Hyypia goal at 30 minutes (his first since April 2005). The Wigan pitch was in TERRIBLE shape.

Now back to Anfield to face Arsenal on Tuesday... let's hope for ManUre and Chelski losses between now and then. :)

[Piarco]

Its worrying when we have to rely on the big man at the back to get us a win! Still we needed it. Someone quoted me a fact during the week - we've lost the last 9 matches against London based teams. I hope we can capitalise on Arsenals dire form to break that cycle!!

(and just for good measure lol at Smoggies 3 - Chelski 0... makes a refreshing change!!!:D )

[pknz]

Arsene Wenger didn't look comfortable at all. How did we not manage to score more than 1 in ~15 corners / ~20 shots. We dominated Arsenal, its been a while coming.

Man U in a couple of hours at Anfield for the FA Cup 5th round. No Fowler or Alonso:( but Crouchy's back.

[BakedBeans]

He's big,
He's red,
His feet stick out the bed,
PETER CROUCH, PETER CROUCH

[Jaffa Cake]

Well done Liverpool – that's United out the FA Cup, hopefully Wigan can pull off a win against them in the League Cup final too!

I'm not a fan of Alan Smith but that injury looked very nasty, one of those that when you see the replay it really makes you cringe. Looks like he'll be out of the reckoning for the World Cup...

[clayj]

Time for a little soccer Jeopardy:

The answer: one-nil

The question: What is the score of virtually ANY game Liverpool's won in the past six months?

ManUre goes down... :D

[pknz]

Yeah, these 1-nil games need to be fixed, especially shown in the Wigan and Arsenal matches, where we should have had multiple goals.

I wouldn't complain if Morientes/Cisse/(maybe even Crouch) were sold this summer.

For some reason I kinda like Alan Smiths direct aggressive style, felt sorry for him a broken leg and a dislocated ankle. Ouch.

[Piarco]

Get in the way of a Riise shot and you have to expect the pain ;)
It was just bad luck - who'd have thought that the shot would have knocked his to-be supporting foot out of alignment so he came down hard on it. Glad to see he was clapped off - nicely done by our supporters. Despite that the news of the world reported that he was jeered and insulted off the pitch. W***ers.

Forgot about the league cup final. I really hope Wigan do it as the season when ManUre win nothing I feel a fuzzy warm glow inside and the feeling that everything is right in the world...

[pknz]

Poo. We lost.

[Piarco]

Bad bad match. Didn't exactly challenge them did we? And I can't even remember if we had a single accurate shot on goal.
Looks like Sissoko may be badly hurt too - heard on the news this morning that his vision in his right eye has been compromised.... to the extent of 80%. Although hopefully it isn't quite that severe. Will have to check on that.

Just before I left the house this morning I heard that some of our fans attacked the ambulance that was taking Smith to hospital from the weekend game. Absolutely disgraceful behaviour. I thought that since Heysel we know better than any club not to tollerate that kind of behaviour - proven that we consistently win awards for having the best behaved fans - so this was a shock to me. Both teams have condemned the behaviour, stating that the people who did it weren't real fans of football.

If there is CCTV footage I hope they procecute the perpetrators to the fullest extent of the law...

[pknz]

Ahhh why does Rafa insist on putting Cisse on. And why are they focusing the passing down Cisses right flank.

That was a really crap performance by the reds. Very dissapointing.

[Piarco]

Disappointed about the Benfica result - but I had a wierd gut feeling we'd loose 2-0 at home. So when that first goal went in (t'was a good goal too, but our defence did gift it) I knew the writing was on the wall. All that pressure from us counts for nothing unless we can get the damn ball in the back of the net!!!!
I think there will be some major overhauls of our strike force in the summer. Morientes and Cisse are definitely on the way out IMO...

[pknz]

Although I will get stick from my mates at school about Liverpool's loss. I feel that if we can focus on getting second that would still turn out a good season result.

Also, the players have played enough games already it does have its positives not having to play anymore Champions League games.

[pknz]

Great rout of Fulham. 5-1 Crouch, Morientes, Warnock and God scoring. Defence looked a bit unstable at times and the passing could have been better. But I'm h-h-h-appy.:)

[evoluzione]

well, for a team that's having trouble scoring goals, 15 in 3 games doesn't sound bad to me. :D

[BakedBeans]

well, for a team that's having trouble scoring goals, 15 in 3 games doesn't sound bad to me. :D

:)

[Jaffa Cake]

Well, that seemed to go alright didn't it?

Based on their current form, it looks like we can look forward to playing Birmingham in the Championship next season... :p