Liverpool thread

[Darren]

No one is currently doing one, so I think I should No sporting side means more to me, not Ireland egg chasers or Norn Iron. Club vs country is no battle.

[Darren]

Liverpool 4-0 Sheff Utd

By John Sinnott Fowler's Premiership goals this season have all been penalties Liverpool followed up their Champions League victory against Barcelona with a comfortable win over Sheffield United. Two first-half penalties from Robbie Fowler put Liverpool in total control. Steven Gerrard won both penalties after he was fouled first by Rob Kozluk and then by Nick Montgomery, with Fowler finishing each time with precision. After the break Sami Hyypia's low shot made it 3-0, before Gerrard added the fourth with a superb individual goal after he was set up by a Fowler pass. Interview: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez Interview: Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock The win moved Liverpool four points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal, while defeat for United leaves them with some work to do as regards securing their Premiership place for next season. Liverpool's starting line-up showed seven changes from the team that had won in the Nou Camp, with Javier Mascherano making his debut and Jerzy Dudek playing for the first time in the league this season. 606 DEBATE: Your reaction to Liverpool's victory Having spent much of his time on the sidelines at West Ham, Mascherano played well, allowing Gerrard plenty of freedom to move forward. The Argentine midfielder had a hand in Gerrard's goal, picking out Fowler with an incisive pass in the build-up. As for Dudek, having conceded nine goals in his previous two games, he had the satisfaction of keeping a clean sheet. United did not create a serious chance until the closing stages when Rob Hulse rattled the bar with a close-range shot. Fowler must wish he could play United every weekend. On the opening day of the season a disputed penalty had salvaged Liverpool a point against United, with Fowler successfully converting the spot-kick. Prior to Saturday's game that had been the only Premiership goal Fowler has scored this season, but thanks to United's overly close attentions to Gerrard, the Liverpool striker found himself on the cusp of a hat-trick by the 25th minute. Kozluk fouled Gerrard for the first penalty, stopping the Liverpool captain from making a run for a corner. Montgomery then hauled Gerrard down as the Liverpool midfielder threatened to unleash a shot after being released by Dirk Kuyt's clever header. Fowler went to Kenny's left for the first penalty and then changed sides for the second, each time sending the ball into the corner of the net. Hyypia's goal was something of a red-letter day for the Finn as it was the first time he has scored in the league this season. In the opening half the Liverpool defender had set up Mark Gonzalez with a couple of raking passes and on 70 minutes he got forward for a corner to fire a left-footed shot past Paddy Kenny. Gerrard's goal capped a professional Liverpool performance as their captain's deft control and raking shot saw him claim his fifth league goal of the season. The only downside for Liverpool was the loss of Peter Crouch, who went off with bloodied face after the first penalty was awarded when he got a boot to the head from Hulse. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez: "The second penalty was very clear, and for the first one the referee was watching, and he'd warned the lad just before not to do it. "He had his arms around Steven, it was unnecessary and the referee was just there watching." Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock: "If Steve Bennett knew a bit more about the game and not the rules inside out, he'd be a really top referee. He's a manufactured referee. "The England captain Steven Gerrard is looking at Bennett and saying 'you've got to give a penalty'. "The first penalty knocked the stuffing out of us." Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher (Agger 77), Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard (Alonso 74), Mascherano, Gonzalez, Crouch (Kuyt 23), Fowler. Subs Not Used: Padelli, Sissoko. Goals: Fowler 20 pen, 25 pen, Hyypia 70, Gerrard 73. Sheff Utd: Kenny, Geary, Jagielka, Lucketti (Morgan 32), Armstrong, Kozluk (Kazim-Richards 25), Tonge, Fathi, Montgomery, Stephen Quinn (Stead 66), Hulse. Subs Not Used: Davis, Alan Quinn. Booked: Montgomery, Tonge. Att: 44,198 Ref: S Bennett (Kent).

[peteg40]

Wish we could play you lot everyweek

3 games wins 3.... draw 0..... lost 0... for 12 against 4

Seriously gl with the thread

[Darren]

Originally Posted by peteg40

Wish we could play you lot everyweek

3 games wins 3.... draw 0..... lost 0... for 12 against 4

Seriously gl with the thread

No you wish you could face Dudek every week

Best of luck tomorrow, mighty fine set of youngsters there. Almunia, 29, Baptista, 25? And Cesc is no rookie. How the press overhyped that one . "Arsenal kids beat Liverpool first team" erm no. Your mix of first team and reserve did whoop our sides mix mind. Dudek man of the match for Arsenal in both of those cup games for Arsenal.

Seriously though good youth setup with the gooners, most wont make it at Arsenal but they should make money off them. And those who do make it hopefully have more sense that Cashley Cole

[Darren]

Originally Posted by peteg40

Wish we could play you lot everyweek

3 games wins 3.... draw 0..... lost 0... for 12 against 4

Seriously gl with the thread

And stop trying to turn this into an Arsenal thread, bugger off and get your own

[AK1979]

I agree on the club vs country attitude mate - Arsenal over England every day of my life for me too..... Anyway, well done on 4th place this season

[Darren]

Originally Posted by AK1979

I agree on the club vs country attitude mate - Arsenal over England every day of my life for me too..... Anyway, well done on 4th place this season

Cheeky sod

Commiserations on your CL exit.

Bloody Arsenal fans hijacking everything! You would think they are in a cup final tomorrow or something

[AK1979]

hehe. i'll leave you to it mate. im off to bed. well done on the rugby. Had an IrIsh mate bleating down the phone earlier!

PUT YOUR HANDS UP FOR DIRK KUYT!
PUT YOUR HANDS UP
FOR DIRK KUYT!

[Darren]

Originally Posted by AK1979

hehe. i'll leave you to it mate. im off to bed. well done on the rugby. Had an IrIsh mate bleating down the phone earlier!

PUT YOUR HANDS UP FOR DIRK KUYT!
PUT YOUR HANDS UP
FOR DIRK KUYT!

He loves this city!

Cheers pal BOL tomorrow. Had a few calls from dublin tonight, the cheeky fcukers. Taunting me about missing it. Cnuts. I'll remember that.

[davidmphill]

Surely there'll be more interest for this thread than for the Newcastle one in the long run!
Good effort from Liverpool yesterday. It was one of those games where you thought that they'd fall flat on their face following the great win in Barcelona in midweek like previous Liverpool sides have done in the past.
A good move from Rafa to bring in Hyppia to try and combat the aerial bombardment that Sheff Utd would provide.
Good to see Javier Mascherano make a solid if unspectacular debut, hopefully given time he will prove to be an awesome signing. It wasn't too long ago he was highly dought after by all and sundry in Europe. Rumours are abound that Barcelona are 'interested' in Xabi Alonso following his performance against them in midweek, if he was to leave then the Argentine for me would be a more than capable replacement but hopefully it wont come to that.
Next weekend is the big one, its just a shame Liverpool are so far behind right now.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Surely there'll be more interest for this thread than for the Newcastle one in the long run!
Good effort from Liverpool yesterday. It was one of those games where you thought that they'd fall flat on their face following the great win in Barcelona in midweek like previous Liverpool sides have done in the past.
A good move from Rafa to bring in Hyppia to try and combat the aerial bombardment that Sheff Utd would provide.
Good to see Javier Mascherano make a solid if unspectacular debut, hopefully given time he will prove to be an awesome signing. It wasn't too long ago he was highly dought after by all and sundry in Europe. Rumours are abound that Barcelona are 'interested' in Xabi Alonso following his performance against them in midweek, if he was to leave then the Argentine for me would be a more than capable replacement but hopefully it wont come to that.
Next weekend is the big one, its just a shame Liverpool are so far behind right now.

Hopefully. While I'm around this thread should see some activity, especially as my system one has fallen on its arse.

I'm happy to have Mascherano, he never really got a chance at West Ham surprisingly. I wouldn't mind having Tevez either. The big problem of course is what it might mean for Gerrard. Its no surprise we have improved since Momo got injured when Stevie got moved back into the middle. He did well wen on the right last season, but hes a far better player when in the middle. Its what he wants and what we need.

Next weekend is massive, it always is. Crap game but tactical one expected. We are due a league win over them, and hopefully they play like they did at Fulham.

My house will be a warzone regardless, with the missus an avid Man Utd fan. She was at the game at OT earlier in the season , had to listen about it for a couple of weeks. I need revenge now

[Darren]

VORONIN SET FOR ANFIELD MOVE Paul Eaton 26 February 2007
	Liverpool have today confirmed they have reached an agreement with Andriy Voronin to bring the Ukrainian international to Anfield.
The 27 year old, who has been playing his football in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, will join the Reds in the summer. He has previously played for Cologne, Mainz and Borussia Moenchengladbach and also represented his country on 40 occasions, scoring five goals in the process.

[kevsul]

Good Luck with this thread.. Liverpool are one of the worlds best known teams.

[aliando]

i'm intrigued to the signing of voronin - i'm not that in touch with non-uk football and dont really know him but his goalscoring record aint fantastic. But to see benitez recruit a non-spaniard tells me that there is something that he sees missing/needs replacing within the team. Not sure what mind as he doesnt seem to have the finishing ability of fowler (who had a great stike rate when younger), and can only assume that he is being brought in to complement kuyt/bellamy?

[Carl]

That VORONIN did fook all against us down here at Ewood, Ive a few mates who are massive Liverpool fans and they dont want him.
I honestly think they dont need him.

[davidmphill]

The Voronin signing is an interesting one. Not a player I had in mind as a striker for Liverpool. It certainly casts a huge doubt over the future of Fowler at the club and Benitez has put pressure on Fowler now to deliver.
Not seen much of the guy to be honest bar his appearances for the Ukraine and a few games for Leverkusen.
Maybe McFly would be able to post some thoughts on him seeing as hes been in the Bundesliga for a while.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

The Voronin signing is an interesting one. Not a player I had in mind as a striker for Liverpool. It certainly casts a huge doubt over the future of Fowler at the club and Benitez has put pressure on Fowler now to deliver.
Not seen much of the guy to be honest bar his appearances for the Ukraine and a few games for Leverkusen.
Maybe McFly would be able to post some thoughts on him seeing as hes been in the Bundesliga for a while.

I'm not sure what type of player Voronin is. He definately doesn't seem like a goalscorer. He looks like a big lad, and might be a replacement for Peter Crouch. Crouch aint been that happy being in and out of the sdie, so we might sell him. Mind you not sure who we would sell him to.

From what Rafa said at the weekend, I get the feeling if Fowler goes (and retires then?) we might sign another goalscorer.

Its always hard to know what Rafa is thinking sometimes though.

[Darren]

The campaign for the late great Bob Paisley to be granted a posthumous knighthood is gathering momentum.

An on-line petition, launched by Reds fan Ian Little, has been logged with Downing Street and is attracting massive interest. Almost 13,000 names have already been added and it currently stands in 10th place of the 3,850 e-petitions on the Prime Minister's own website site. A Whitehall source said: "It has really taken off and it would be difficult to ignore if it really goes stratospheric." If you haven't already done so, pledge your support for English football's most successful manager now by clicking here>>

>>In short I can't believe Paisley or Bill Shankly haven't been given it yet. Have signed up but I don't think it will help, since when does the likes of Blair really care. He should have become Sir Bob years ago

[Darren]

Originally Posted by kevsul

Good Luck with this thread.. Liverpool are one of the worlds best known teams.

Missed this, thanks for the gl. Hopefully the thread will outlast me.

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by dmckeelfc

>>In short I can't believe Paisley or Bill Shankly haven't been given it yet. Have signed up but I don't think it will help, since when does the likes of Blair really care. He should have become Sir Bob years ago

Signed.
One of the biggest failings of our time for me, his record speaks for itself.