Showing posts with label Gerrard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gerrard. Show all posts

Thursday, July 23, 2009

This has been a tough week for Liverpool FC

My dear readers here I am again. Yesterday i couldn't post because I was damn stuck with work. Even today I am in the same state but I needed to find a way to get freed because I thought you might be waiting for fresh news. By the way how can I forget about Liverpool FC? Here we are with the same old news growing day by day about the Alonso saga. Some speculate Real has made a fresh offer which Benitez might accept while fresh news just suggest that there would be no Real deal for Alonso. Check it out here: No Real Deal for Alonso

So, Liverpool have slumped to another draw. Sincerely after those 2 matches without positive results, I thought Liverpool are gonna win this one. Are we going to stick with our same old habits? Draw games wouldn't help us at all this coming season. As I've said so many times, we need to be almost perfect this season. Man City have strengthened their squad and Chelsea have done the same. On the other hand, Man U still have money from the Ronaldo sale which they can use to buy any top class player. I really expected Liverpool to win. Didn't you fellow reds? Would you be able to bear another trophyless season?

The positive to be taken from yesterday's match against Thailand was Babel's goal. In my previous post I outlined how Rafa said that the man has improved. His goal explains everything. I look forward to see Babel do a great season, score a lot of goals and play an important part in Liverpool's title challenge. Other positives concern our reserves, especially Jay Spearing who says he wants to give his all so that Rafa sees him worthy of first team selection. See the full article here

Elsewhere is Gerrard's bar row which is making most of the headlines. Our super captain says he hit the man to defend himself and also refuses to accept that he was out of control. Click here to read the full story. On the other hand, Rafa, as much as he likes Gerrard insists that the captain has the full support of the club. Yes, this is how we are at Liverpool FC, aren't we? Check out what Rafa said here. Moreover, Skrtl and El Zhar both have been injured and are due to fly back to the UK for treatment. This ain't good news guys.

Now guys, let's sit back and wait to see what happens next. Let's hope for at least a win or two in these pre-season friendlies. Share your views and leave some comments.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid, a last gasp equalizer saves the day

After an unlucky loss at White Hart Lane, Liverpool were bound to bounce back to their winning attitude. Liverpool FC started the game really well . The first deadly occasion created saw Agger nearly score. It was unfortunate that Liverpool did not get a penalty at that moment as Agger was clearly pushed by a Madrid defender, in an attempt to prevent him score. Other goal scoring occasion fell Liverpool's way, the best one being a superb overhead pass that found Keane who shot just inches wide. Gerrard, Riera and even Mascherano attempted to score but it wasn't to be. Atletico is known for its quick counter-attacking football, which effectively earned them a goal, scored by Maxi Rodriguez. I was really furious. Football is sometimes unfair.

In the second half, Liverpool continued to press Atletico, forcing them to defend. Again Liverpool should have been awarded a penalty kick due to what seemed like a blatant hand ball in the box by Perea. Liverpool were still unlucky. Liverpool's domination continued until Gerrard was fouled in the box during injury time. This time Liverpool weren't going to be denied of the penalty spot. The foul on Gerrard was clear and it was as well wise thinking by the captain who knew if he won the header, the defender might foul him. Gerrard then made no mistake to convert the penalty kick into goal as Anfield immediately erupted in joy for this sweet escape at last gasp.

It is very clear that Liverpool are playing well, but the finishing touches lack accuracy. With a bit of luck and more concentration, players like Keane and Kuyt could well and truly become great heroes of the Anfield faithfuls. Keane and Kuyt are already big players but they have to add credential to their status by scoring when Liverpool are mostly in need of that winning goal. Liverpool are currently joint top of the CL table as well as the PL table. So far, it has been a good season for Liverpool in the CL and PL alike. The next Premier League match will see Liverpool host West Brom at Anfield. The good news is that Torres could make the starting line up on Saturday.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth, a tiny win that speaks big


Liverpool's unbeaten run in the PL was kept ongoing in style when a changed Liverpool side made no mistake to defeat Portsmouth at Anfield, courtesy of a Steven Gerrard penalty kick which sent the red arena ablaze. Liverpool won the match by the tiniest of scores to secure an additional 3 points to remain top of the PL table. Rafa changed 4 men from the side that faced Chelsea. Hyypia got the call to the starting line up and so was Pennant, Babel and Lucas.

It was on the very rarest of occasions that Portsmouth threatened the Liverpool goal. Crouchie was well marked as were a host of other Portsmouth players. Undoubtedly, Liverpool were the better side attacking their opponent and creating goal occasions which they could not convert. Clearly Liverpool should have won the match by more than a goal, but as most will agree, a win remains a win. From my point of view, Pennant didn't perform at all. He was going down too easily and his runs weren't fruitful. He very rarely crossed the ball. Come January, i bet he'll be placed on the transfer list. It seems to me that he's not the player with the right mentality that Benitez needs.

The introduction of Benayoun in the second half to replace Pennant enabled Liverpool to attack with more venom. It was clear, Pennant couldn't do in an hour what Benayoun did within just minutes of entering onto the pitch. Besides, Babel is a player who is always going to progress. He is young and his techniques on the ball will become better. His pace and ability has many times threatened the Portsmouth players during the match. Gerrard was again our captain fantastic controlling the midfield alongside Alonso. As for Lucas, well, i have not much to say. Let's give him one more season to prove himself. Not to forget, Keane nearly opened his PL scoring account during the dying minutes of the match, after he had just been introduced on the pitch.

All in all, Liverpool's performance didn't come close to that demonstrated at Stamford but it was enough to beat a resilient Portsmouth side. Match 10 is now over, with hard earned 26 points for us fans and Liverpool players alike to savour. Next up is Tottenham at White Hart Lane. If we can overcome Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, there is no reason why we cannot snatch 3 points from White Hart Lane. Belief and hard work will be the key attributes for a possible win.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool FC, a fair Liverpool performance.


Once again Liverpool showed why they are one of the most respected teams in Europe. The first half of the game at Vicente Calderon saw Liverpool control the game and dominate possession. The blistering pace of Gerrard was always going to setup Keane for a magnificent occasion which he made no mistake to convert. Albert Riera was instrumental in the wide area giving problems to the defenders. But Liverpool should have killed the game in the first half when a superb cross by Gerrard was wrongly negociated by Robbie Keane who failed to make it 2-0. While this seemed to be the miss of the night, there was plenty of positives to take from the match even though Atletico found the equaliser in the dying minutes of the second half.

Atletico played well in the second half as they introduced Aguero who helped to create enough space on the pitch. On the other hand Rafa had to substitute three key players in the name of Gerrard, Keane and Alonso. Gerrard was tired while Alonso had received knocks and Keane had a muscle problem. This definitely provided enough area on the pitch for Atletico to build their game. But from my point of view, Liverpool played well and a draw at Vicente Calderon speaks for itself.

With three matches already played and 7 points safely in the bag, Liverpool FC have confirmed a good start to their CL campaign. Liverpool's 2008-09 campaign will undoubtedly send a warning to all those doubters. Has the giant finally woken up? I have not stopped saying: this can indeed be our year. So let's keep on watching. Next up is Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Can Liverpool break Chelsea's home record of 86 unbeaten matches? Let's wait to get this answer on Sunday.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Steven Gerrard- the name of a true legend

Once in a while there comes a player such as Steven Gerrard. He is a man who plays with passion for the red shirt. Everytime he steps on the pitch, it is with pride that he wears his number 8 shirt. Since his inception in the Liverpool first team squad, Stevie Gerrard has made a name for himself at Anfield. Steven Gerrard is arguably one of the most respected players in the Liverpool squad. His presence on the pitch gives a driving force to the team. His passes are excellent and has one hell of a right boot. Numerous had been the times when Stevie G has made us all happy with his goals. No Liverpool supporter can forget the winner he gave us thanks to his long range missile against West Ham in the FA Cup Finals at Cardiff. This day has already gone down in history as Steven Gerrard's day.

Steven Gerrard is undoubtedly an all rounder and certainly one of the best midfielders in the world. I have never seen such a complete player. He has pace, awareness, strength, power and most importantly a never say die attitude. His abilities were given more credentials and he gained even more respect when he captained Liverpool to an emphatic victory in the CL Finals at Istanbul in 2005. Throughout his career at Anfield and as senior player, Gerrard has amassed just about every trophy and medal, except the Premier League. It's unquestionable, Gerrard wants to have the PL trophy as a Liverpool player before he retires.

Aged nine, Liverpool discovered Gerrard as he was playing for Whiston Juniors at that time. Nobody knew that the very nine year old would grow to become a gem. After 8 years of training at LFC, Gerrard became ready for first team action and went on to sign his first contract as a professional footballer. On November 19, 1998, Gerrard made his first team appearance against Blackburn Rovers as a second half substitute. During his first season, Stevie G played around 13 games. Having endured ups and downs in his career due to injury problems, Gerrard managed to establish himself as a first team regular at the start of the 1999-00 season . His first ever professional goal came at Anfield against Sheffield Wednesday.

Since then Gerrard has progressed enormously as a player. He was once again the key player to a magnificent treble in the year 2001. It was the same year when Liverpool tasted European glory as they beat Alaves by 5-4 to claim the UEFA cup. Gerrard was one of the scorers and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year for his wonderful achievements. After years of striving on the pitch Gerrard was gradually handed the captain armband in place of Sami Hyypia. His achievements saw him become one of the nominees for the most respected Golden Ball Award. He as well gained the title of UEFA’s most valuable player.

Steven Gerrard has now 100 goals to his account as a Liverpool player. He scored his 100th goal in a Liverpool shirt against PSV Eindhoven in the 2008-09 CL group stages. He has also scored in 4 major finals, a feat that any other English player has yet to match. Gerrard has tasted lots of success at Anfield. But he has also known how to handle defeats. His optimism was clear after the 2-1 CL finals defeat at Athens when he penned a 4 year deal which will keep him at Anfield until 2011.

It would sadden me and every Liverpool faithful around the globe when Gerrard will part ways with Liverpool. Gerrard’s love affair with Liverpool had been a passionate one and will forever be remembered. As for Gerrard, he will unmistakably go down in history as one of Liverpool’s most legendary players.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Everton 0-2 Liverpool, a maginificent Fernando Torres double ensures the win for Liverpool

Fernando Torres sealed the win for Liverpool in this Merseyside derby as he scored twice to place Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table. Liverpool played well and controlled most of the game. Once again Rafael Benitez got the better of David Moyes as he masterminded a breathtaking Liverpool victory. 5 matches already played in the PL now, Liverpool are really starting to look strong. The football looks more fluid and the new boy, Riera, is starting to gel well with the entire team. After a lack of form in the recent matches, Torres has showed to all doubters that he's there to hit the back of the net.

I am very happy with the current display on the pitch by the redmen. Crucial as this match has been, the victory tastes sweet. It is these types of matches that we have to keep on winning. This victory certainly underlines Liverpool's serious bid for the title. We looked strong, composed and classy. Even without Masch around, we managed to get the ball as soon as Everton tried to build. More encouraging was the fact that we were being able to create space. Gerrard was again outstanding, throwing passes, defending at times and shooting when he got the opportunity.

In all, this had been a great day for all LFC supporters around the world. Another 3 points in the bag, we will be heading full of confidence to our next match against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on Wednesday night. Yet another win in the Champions League would see Liverpool with 6 points and certainly with more things to gain than to lose. So lads, let me remind you again: the full time score at Goodison Park here, it's Everton 0-2 Liverpool. Let's keep them wins coming....