I will begin with Liverpool's match in Switzerland against St Gallen. Well, that match ended in a 0-0 draw. It seems to me that there are still rusty legs in the squad. Moreover, our Spanish heroes are still enjoying their well deserved holidays, especially after a tiresome 2 weeks in South Africa. So, a draw seems a fair result! Yesterday saw Glen Johnson make his debut, which Rafa described as impressive. It really looks like the guy is worth the deal. I'm dying to see him make these long runs and ping the ball inside the penalty area for Torres!
Now, let's talk a bit about the Alonso saga. It has been reported by many sources that Real Madrid have postponed their final bid for 10 days. They must be hoping that Liverpool will decrease their asking price. Other news suggest that the Spanish side are ready to offload some of their players to Liverpool as part of the Alonso deal. Are they so desperate to acquire Alonso? It's Liverpool who have made him of what he is as the moment. I do not disregard all his personal efforts in becoming the actual world class midfielder. I for one am really starting to get really confused about this saga and all the stories that are cropping up in the media everyday.
Further news report that Liverpool have tabled a 15M pounds bid for AS Roma midfielder Aquilani. Only moments afterwards sources started to claim that the player's agent has declined this move stating that the player is happy with his club and would not consider any moves.
Well, well, well, this is just crazy season after the real season starts. No matter what football is the best entertainment ever and Liverpool for me are the biggest club ever. So, let's believe we can do it this year and we come back kicking the ball with a spine made of similar players as the past season.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Liverpool's best signing would be to keep both Alonso and Mascherano
Before every brand new season kicks off, transfer season makes most of the headlines with players rumoured to move everywhere. Whilst I literally do not care about other football clubs apart from Liverpool FC, it makes me laugh when clubs such as Real Madrid inflate the transfer market on the go. 80M Pounds for Cristiano Ronaldo, 60M pounds for Kaka and 40M pounds for Karim Benzema.
This makes around 200M pounds spent just on buying 3 players. After this type of silly money expenditure other clubs suffer. Football, a lucrative business as it is, has become the dynasty of billionaires and other money making or born rich giants. So, the big question is: how will Liverpool match the increasing asking price for players in the future if the Americans do not provide the funds? One cannot expect player valuation to go down a couple of years afterwards, if not next year. We'll see...
Now, let's get back to the Alonso saga. It seems to me that this saga is nearing to an end with Real Madrid reportedly succumbing to Liverpool's asking price. Alonso however has to publicy admit that he wants to leave Liverpool for the Spanish team which will then convince Rafa to release him. Liverpool FC will bag over 30M pounds from the Alonso sale and fresh news suggest that Rafa might return to Valencia for another bid on David Silva. There are also so many players whom Rafa, as reported, could pinpoint as replacement for Alonso. Names such as Javi Martinez of Athletico Bilbao and Esteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan are cropping up.
On the other hand, Rafa has told Mascherano that he will have to commit himself to the club, especially after having been offered a pay rise. I for one am pretty sure that if Alonso goes, Masch will have to stay at Anfield. It would be a major blow if our club loses both of its high calibre midfielders. Interested buyers will, in this situation, have to match Liverpool's asking price which will be of course very high, as per the market evolution.
The best scenario, for me and surely for all Liverpool supporters would be the long term commitment of both Masch and Alonso to the club. Can this happen? I certainly do not rule out this possibility. Liverpool are one of the best football clubs in the world. Liverpool are not rich but they are more than just a football club....
Today our first pre-season friendly kick-off as we play St Gallen. Many of our young lads would play their trade today and try to impress the boss that they are worthy of first team action. I would really like to see more of Danny Pacheco, Jay Spearing and Krisztian Nemeth in the coming season. Hope they do well...
See: Glen Johnson, our latest addition
This makes around 200M pounds spent just on buying 3 players. After this type of silly money expenditure other clubs suffer. Football, a lucrative business as it is, has become the dynasty of billionaires and other money making or born rich giants. So, the big question is: how will Liverpool match the increasing asking price for players in the future if the Americans do not provide the funds? One cannot expect player valuation to go down a couple of years afterwards, if not next year. We'll see...
Now, let's get back to the Alonso saga. It seems to me that this saga is nearing to an end with Real Madrid reportedly succumbing to Liverpool's asking price. Alonso however has to publicy admit that he wants to leave Liverpool for the Spanish team which will then convince Rafa to release him. Liverpool FC will bag over 30M pounds from the Alonso sale and fresh news suggest that Rafa might return to Valencia for another bid on David Silva. There are also so many players whom Rafa, as reported, could pinpoint as replacement for Alonso. Names such as Javi Martinez of Athletico Bilbao and Esteban Cambiasso of Inter Milan are cropping up.
On the other hand, Rafa has told Mascherano that he will have to commit himself to the club, especially after having been offered a pay rise. I for one am pretty sure that if Alonso goes, Masch will have to stay at Anfield. It would be a major blow if our club loses both of its high calibre midfielders. Interested buyers will, in this situation, have to match Liverpool's asking price which will be of course very high, as per the market evolution.
The best scenario, for me and surely for all Liverpool supporters would be the long term commitment of both Masch and Alonso to the club. Can this happen? I certainly do not rule out this possibility. Liverpool are one of the best football clubs in the world. Liverpool are not rich but they are more than just a football club....
Today our first pre-season friendly kick-off as we play St Gallen. Many of our young lads would play their trade today and try to impress the boss that they are worthy of first team action. I would really like to see more of Danny Pacheco, Jay Spearing and Krisztian Nemeth in the coming season. Hope they do well...
See: Glen Johnson, our latest addition
Monday, July 13, 2009
Good news and bad news, it's time to follow the headlines carefully
This week once again carries some good news and some bad news as well. Bad news weigh more than good ones and it's time to worry. Alonso has finally came out and said aloud that he wants to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid. Madrid have as reported by many sources decreased their bidding price by 3M pounds. Rafa has been very clear when he has said that he doesn't want the player to go for silly money. That said Liverpool want in the region of 35M pounds for Alonso otherwise they are not going to sell. I don't know what rift there has been between the player and the manager. It's clear that if Alonso leaves, Liverpool are going to be affected by that.
The ex Real Zaragoza man was unknown by the football world before Rafa brought him into the light and allowed him to re-discover himself. I find it unfair that the man wants to repay the club and all those behind his success in this manner. Anyway we'll see what the next few weeks reveal about Alonso's future.
On the other hand, Liverpool have offered new contracts to duo Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby. The lads say they are delighted to stay. Both have impressed during their time in the reserves and now look forward to play a crucial part in Liverpool's success. Hopefully we'll see them grow into gems, and be proud of our homegrown players.
Another positive sign is Liverpool are willing to treble Mascherano's wages in an attempt to pursuade the player for a longer Anfield stay. It was reported that Mascherano's reason for wanting to leave LFC has been his wife who does not want to return from Argentina as she cannot adapt to the Liverpool lifestyle. She must however not forget that Liverpool have been strongly responsible for the riches she's nowadays enjoying. Most people earn in 10 years what Mascherano earns in a week!
Rafa has moreover declared that he will not make any big money signing, so, we might need to forget the likes of Ribery banging the ball in the opposing net next season! Let's have faith in Rafa. He's done what he has said when he joined Liverpool: Make the club challenge for the PL in 5 years' time. In my opinion he's done more than that. Who will ever forget Istanbul and the FA Cup final? This week pre-season friendlies kick off. So let's keep an eye on our promising youth as well as our regulars.
The ex Real Zaragoza man was unknown by the football world before Rafa brought him into the light and allowed him to re-discover himself. I find it unfair that the man wants to repay the club and all those behind his success in this manner. Anyway we'll see what the next few weeks reveal about Alonso's future.
On the other hand, Liverpool have offered new contracts to duo Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby. The lads say they are delighted to stay. Both have impressed during their time in the reserves and now look forward to play a crucial part in Liverpool's success. Hopefully we'll see them grow into gems, and be proud of our homegrown players.
Another positive sign is Liverpool are willing to treble Mascherano's wages in an attempt to pursuade the player for a longer Anfield stay. It was reported that Mascherano's reason for wanting to leave LFC has been his wife who does not want to return from Argentina as she cannot adapt to the Liverpool lifestyle. She must however not forget that Liverpool have been strongly responsible for the riches she's nowadays enjoying. Most people earn in 10 years what Mascherano earns in a week!
Rafa has moreover declared that he will not make any big money signing, so, we might need to forget the likes of Ribery banging the ball in the opposing net next season! Let's have faith in Rafa. He's done what he has said when he joined Liverpool: Make the club challenge for the PL in 5 years' time. In my opinion he's done more than that. Who will ever forget Istanbul and the FA Cup final? This week pre-season friendlies kick off. So let's keep an eye on our promising youth as well as our regulars.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Glen Johnson, our latest addition....
Glen Johnson, who was voted the best RB of the season by the PFA is the latest addition to our squad. With 18 Million pounds spent on the lad, Rafa does not regret one bit to have recruited the man because he cannot be more accurate when he says English players carry a high price tag. Very versatile in his style of play, he possesses the speed and ability to break defences and provide that killer ball. This will indeed sharpen our attack spearhead and at the same time boost our defensive order. That said, Glen Johnson will act as a double sided spear, hence a very tactical buy by Rafa. Johnson was always coming to Liverpool even though Chelsea offered the same price for the player before agreement was done with Liverpool.
Yesterday was Johnson's first training day at Melwood. Today he speaks about how he feels about his Anfield move and what were his motivations. Here's what he had to say:
"I had a spell at Chelsea before and there were good and bad times but when a club like Liverpool comes in for you it is not a hard decision," Johnson told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"It's a fantastic club - one of the biggest in the world. It's got a great history and I wanted to be a part of that.
"The hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you come to Anfield and hear You'll Never Walk Alone even when you don't play for Liverpool, so I cannot begin to imagine how it is going to feel when I put the kit on for the first time."
Johnson will be unveiled to the world's media on Thursday afternoon where he will reveal how his top priority in a Liverpool shirt will be helping the club win a first league title since 1990.
"We've got some fantastic players and I wanted to come here and help Liverpool win the league," added the 24-year-old.
"The boys did fantastically well last year. Hopefully we can now get a few more points and steal it from Manchester United.
"We want to go as far as we can in every competition but all the lads want to win the Premier League and that would be a great start."
"I can definitely improve - every player can. I want to improve every aspect of my game," he said.
"Rafa has told me he wants more of the same form I showed last year, but he also wants me to improve. We will be working hard together to do that.
"I am here to do my best."
"Yesterday was my first day and all the lads and staff made me feel really welcome, so it's good times," he said.
"I knew Stevie and Carra from before but yesterday I met about 60 players! I was shaking the same hands about four times introducing myself! It's a lot to take in at once, and obviously the lads were messing about and laughing about that. But everyone's made me feel really welcome and it's great to be here."
"Peter and Jermaine said it's a fantastic club but they didn't need to say that - I knew. They told me I'd enjoy every minute of it," he said.
Seems to be a fairly good person from what he's said about our club. Now let's wait and see how his presence influences the fluidity of our game. Hopefully, his displays will yield more goals and we would be able to turn those draws into wins. Another quality addition to our squad is however expected.
(Interview Source: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/)
Yesterday was Johnson's first training day at Melwood. Today he speaks about how he feels about his Anfield move and what were his motivations. Here's what he had to say:
"I had a spell at Chelsea before and there were good and bad times but when a club like Liverpool comes in for you it is not a hard decision," Johnson told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"It's a fantastic club - one of the biggest in the world. It's got a great history and I wanted to be a part of that.
"The hairs on the back of your neck stand up when you come to Anfield and hear You'll Never Walk Alone even when you don't play for Liverpool, so I cannot begin to imagine how it is going to feel when I put the kit on for the first time."
Johnson will be unveiled to the world's media on Thursday afternoon where he will reveal how his top priority in a Liverpool shirt will be helping the club win a first league title since 1990.
"We've got some fantastic players and I wanted to come here and help Liverpool win the league," added the 24-year-old.
"The boys did fantastically well last year. Hopefully we can now get a few more points and steal it from Manchester United.
"We want to go as far as we can in every competition but all the lads want to win the Premier League and that would be a great start."
"I can definitely improve - every player can. I want to improve every aspect of my game," he said.
"Rafa has told me he wants more of the same form I showed last year, but he also wants me to improve. We will be working hard together to do that.
"I am here to do my best."
"Yesterday was my first day and all the lads and staff made me feel really welcome, so it's good times," he said.
"I knew Stevie and Carra from before but yesterday I met about 60 players! I was shaking the same hands about four times introducing myself! It's a lot to take in at once, and obviously the lads were messing about and laughing about that. But everyone's made me feel really welcome and it's great to be here."
"Peter and Jermaine said it's a fantastic club but they didn't need to say that - I knew. They told me I'd enjoy every minute of it," he said.
Seems to be a fairly good person from what he's said about our club. Now let's wait and see how his presence influences the fluidity of our game. Hopefully, his displays will yield more goals and we would be able to turn those draws into wins. Another quality addition to our squad is however expected.
(Interview Source: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
A brand new season is about to begin.....
First of all, many apologies for having been absent for so long. Due to personal reasons I have been unable to update this blog. By now, my blog would have been really stuffed up with many interesting posts, especially after the brilliant yet slightly disappointing season (because we've been 2nd and drawn too much) we've had. Now things have hopefully kicked off once again for me, so I will be around with updates frequently.
The reality is that time flies by so quickly that you don't quite realise it. I mean, we are already on the transfer season, players have just returned to melwood for training, pre-season friendlies will be starting imminently, Rafa has offered the chance to some of the youngsters in the resereves to show their skills....in all, we are just in the threshold of another brand new season.
However, I am really disappointed by the fact that more and more news are cropping up signalling Mascherano's intent to quit Liverpool. Is this just speculation or does the guy really want to move on? I just hope it's only speculation but again news of his possible departure have stemmed from trusted sources which means there might be some truth. When Mascherano was playing for West Ham, clubs barely knew him. Therefore, it's Liverpool and Benitez who've made of Mascherano what he is at the moment, a world class holding midfielder. I just hope he isn't lured by money because it would be an immense loss for Liverpool FC.
Alonso's move away from Liverpool has furthermore been mentioned a lot in the media. As far as i know, the latest news upcoming is Liverpool have priced out Real Madrid's bid for the player. At least this is a positive sign. Promising young lads such as Mavinga and Fernandez have been added to the squad. Add them up to some very talented guys in the reserves team and we could have some very good players kicking the ball at Anfield in a few years' time.
I am worried by the fact that we might lack financial support to cope with the coming years. The footballing world is becoming more and more competitive and players have become too costly. This is set to rise in the coming years. Frankly, it has been a mistake to let those Americans buy the club. They've made too many false promises. The construction of the new stadium has been delayed more than a couple of times. A bigger stadium would have considerably increased Liverpool's revenue, given that we've made around 100M in profits past season, in spite of our low capacity stadium.
Well, let's hope for the best to happen to this football club, which, I am sure, for myself and many other Liverpool fans, is like a religion. This season will be massive for us, seen how close we've come last season. This has indeed sent a warning signal: Liverpool have become the team to beat. So let's believe we can bring the title home this season.
YNWA
The reality is that time flies by so quickly that you don't quite realise it. I mean, we are already on the transfer season, players have just returned to melwood for training, pre-season friendlies will be starting imminently, Rafa has offered the chance to some of the youngsters in the resereves to show their skills....in all, we are just in the threshold of another brand new season.
However, I am really disappointed by the fact that more and more news are cropping up signalling Mascherano's intent to quit Liverpool. Is this just speculation or does the guy really want to move on? I just hope it's only speculation but again news of his possible departure have stemmed from trusted sources which means there might be some truth. When Mascherano was playing for West Ham, clubs barely knew him. Therefore, it's Liverpool and Benitez who've made of Mascherano what he is at the moment, a world class holding midfielder. I just hope he isn't lured by money because it would be an immense loss for Liverpool FC.
Alonso's move away from Liverpool has furthermore been mentioned a lot in the media. As far as i know, the latest news upcoming is Liverpool have priced out Real Madrid's bid for the player. At least this is a positive sign. Promising young lads such as Mavinga and Fernandez have been added to the squad. Add them up to some very talented guys in the reserves team and we could have some very good players kicking the ball at Anfield in a few years' time.
I am worried by the fact that we might lack financial support to cope with the coming years. The footballing world is becoming more and more competitive and players have become too costly. This is set to rise in the coming years. Frankly, it has been a mistake to let those Americans buy the club. They've made too many false promises. The construction of the new stadium has been delayed more than a couple of times. A bigger stadium would have considerably increased Liverpool's revenue, given that we've made around 100M in profits past season, in spite of our low capacity stadium.
Well, let's hope for the best to happen to this football club, which, I am sure, for myself and many other Liverpool fans, is like a religion. This season will be massive for us, seen how close we've come last season. This has indeed sent a warning signal: Liverpool have become the team to beat. So let's believe we can bring the title home this season.
YNWA
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