Liverpool thread

[davidmphill]

Just goes to show that Liverpool are in dire need of a striker that can provide 25+ goals a season to challenge for the title.
Nothing wrong with their defence, up their with the best. Lack of goals is going to kill them.
I'd keep Kuyt and try and bring in that elusive goalscorer.
Interesting to see what the summer brings.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Just goes to show that Liverpool are in dire need of a striker that can provide 25+ goals a season to challenge for the title.
Nothing wrong with their defence, up their with the best. Lack of goals is going to kill them.
I'd keep Kuyt and try and bring in that elusive goalscorer.
Interesting to see what the summer brings.

I'd keep Kuyt and Bellamy. The Voronin signing isn't an impressive sign.

Benitez needs to change his mentality as well. It seems we go into games aiming not too lose far too often.

Our midfield on Sunday of Mascherano-Sissoko in the middle was never going to do much damage to any defence. And on the wings a full back (alledgedly) in Aurelio and Gerrard on the right. No creative player in the middle and no width on the wings, not that surprising we never scored or looked like scoring then

[Darren]

Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal

By Phil McNulty Peter Crouch celebrates his second goal for Liverpool Peter Crouch's first hat-trick at club level saw Liverpool leap-frog Arsenal to go third in the Premiership. Crouch turned in Alvaro Arbeloa's cross to put Liverpool ahead after four minutes, then headed in from Fabio Aurelio's delivery in the 34th minute. Daniel Agger glanced in another brilliant Aurelio cross on the hour before William Gallas' poked in from almost on the line for Arsenal. Crouch then made it a treble with a neat turn and finish after 80 minutes. Liverpool recalled Crouch, who missed England's two Euro 2008 matches to have an operation on a broken nose. 606: DEBATE Your reaction to Liverpool's victory over Arsenal And the giant striker was the central figure in a first 45 minutes that saw Liverpool cruise into the lead. He provided the perfect finish to a delightful Liverpool build-up in the fourth minute, sweeping in at the near post after Jermaine Pennant's neat flick set up Arbeloa for the cross. Arsenal looked lethargic, but threatened briefly when Emmanuel Adebayor headed just over. But Crouch was in rampant mood, ignoring the better-placed Steven Gerrard to fire an ambitious shot across the face of goal after 26 minutes. The unpredictable Julio Baptista should have drawn Arsenal level five minutes later when he was played in by Adebayor, but the man who scored four at Anfield in a Carling Cup tie earlier this season side-footed tamely wide. And it proved an expensive miss as Liverpool doubled their advantage 11 minutes before half-time. Xabi Alonso's quick free-kick found Aurelio, and Crouch soared to meet his perfect cross to send a brilliant header high past the diving Jens Lehmann. Arsenal's luck was out again after 53 minutes when Adebayor's low left-foot shot rebounded to safety off the post. There was some concern for Liverpool when captain Gerrard went off two minutes later. He needed to have an ice-pack applied to a thigh injury - with boss Rafa Benitez hoping he will recover in time for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against PSV Eindhoven. But the smiles were back on Liverpool faces just on the hour when a superbly delivered free-kick from Aurelio was glanced past Lehmann by Agger. Adebayor was still battling away, but he was cursing again after 63 minutes when his header was turned on to an upright by Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina. Arsenal pulled a goal back with 18 minutes left, Gallas turning home from almost on the line after Kolo Toure touched on substitute Tomas Rosicky's corner. But any hopes of an unlikely Arsenal comeback were snuffed out after 80 minutes when Crouch turned Toure expertly before firing past Lehmann.

[Darren]

A great result today, but watched the game in the house with a couple of mates. I'm still a bit miffed at how dire the Villa game was

It should have been one hell of a day, winning 4-1 was great, but for some reason I'm not that arsed about it. Still coming to terms with the match on Wednesday I guess, but have scrubbed my planned trip for the Wigan game in April. I don't fancy spending upwards of 16 hours travelling for what will end up being a pissed up weekend and possibly a drab game but definately a drab atmosphere.

Ah well we won 4-1 against Arsenal.

[Darren]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4pk4hS6wLc

[Darren]

NEWS STORY
WORK ON STADIUM TO START NEXT MONTH Liverpoolfc.tv 02 April 2007
	The redevelopment of Liverpool Football Club's new stadium will start in May, a joint statement by the club and the city council today confirmed.
Top level talks at the weekend between the club's new owners George Gillett, Tom Hicks, and chief executive Rick Parry with city council leader Warren Bradley and director of regeneration John Kelly gave the go-ahead to the multi-million pound redevelopment. Work on the final legal agreements between the city council and club is almost complete which will allow work on the new stadium to start next month under the existing planning permission granted last year. A joint venture company will be set up by the end of this month to deliver the comprehensive regeneration of Stanley Park and the new Community Partnership Centre. Tenders for the refurbishment of Stanley Park will go out in April with a contractor to be appointed and work starting by the end of July, with the work completed by the end of 2008. A review of the 60,000 capacity of the new stadium is being carried out by the club and consultations with fans are already underway. Councillor Warren Bradley said: "It has long been the dream of fans, and the ambition of the club, to build a fantastic stadium to rival the best anywhere in the world. Today, the decisions are now in place to turn the dream of a new Anfield into a reality. "We have worked tirelessly with the club and its new owners, and the final agreements are now almost in place to allow the work to start in a matter of weeks. A world-class stadium, fit for a world-class club and a word-class city, is now a real prospect. "The benefits will reach out much further than football. Our agreement will secure the massive regeneration of the Anfield area and the transformation of Stanley Park. Today will go down as a significant date in the history of the club and the city." Liverpool FC's chief executive Rick Parry said: "We have been working for many years with the city council and the community to deliver not just a new stadium but also the regeneration of north Liverpool. "Our new owners have taken the sensible decision to review the plans to enable us to create an even better stadium that will serve the needs of the club and the fans for the next 50 years. Already, some very exciting ideas are emerging and we are working closely with the city council on the best way forward. "We are all endeavouring to ensure that the plans can be implemented, as soon as possible while at the same time ensuring there is no delay in the regeneration process. "We are delighted with the working relationship we have with the city council. Our goals are the same; to create an incredible facility that the whole city can be proud of." Today's announcement has effectively ended the possibility of a joint stadium for the city's two Premiership clubs. Despite full and frank talks between the city council and the two clubs, the proposal had too many unknowns and would have created significant delays which could have put the entire new Anfield and Stanley Park project at risk.

[Darren]

PSV EINDHOVEN 0 - 3 LIVERPOOL Tuesday 03 April 2007 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (1)

REDS CRUISE TO Q-FINAL FIRST LEG SUCCESS Liverpool have one foot in the semi-final of the Champions League following an impressive 3-0 victory against PSV in the Philips Stadium on Tuesday night. Goals from Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch fired the Reds to a comfortable quarter-final first leg success that leaves them odd on favourites to secure their place in the last four. And on what was another memorable night of European football, Gerrard rewrote the history books - his goal taking him beyond legendary Anfield striker Ian Rush as the club's all-time top marksman in the European Cup. The skipper broke the deadlock in the 27th minute, heading home from a Steve Finnan centre to register his 15th goal in the competition, and from that point the outcome never seemed in doubt. Any faint hope the lacklustre Dutch side may have had of forcing their way back into the game evaporated shortly after the break when Riise increased the lead with a trademark thunderbolt finish from 30-yards out. Crouch then sealed the emphatic win when he towered above the home defence to head Finnan's cross into the top corner of the net. The only downside to the evening was an Achilles injury sustained by Fabio Aurelio midway through the second half; the Brazilian pulling up when unopposed in the opposition half and stretchered off. But even that couldn't dampen the mood of the jubilant travelling Liverpudlians who headed for home with their dreams of another European Cup triumph in May firmly intact.

[Darren]

AURELIO OUT FOR REST OF SEASON Paul Eaton 04 April 2007
	Liverpool have today confirmed that Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his achilles tendon in Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.
Aurelio fell to the ground in agony during the second half of the Reds' emphatic 3-0 victory and left the stadium on crutches after the game. He underwent a scan on Merseyside today where it was revealed he faces up to four months on the sidelines. Club spokesman Ian Cotton said: "A scan has confirmed a complete rupture of the achilles tendon in Fabio's right leg. "The player will undergo surgery later today and is expected to be out for approximately three to four months."

[Darren]

BLAIR EXPLAINS WHY PAISLEY WON'T BE KNIGHTED Paul Rogers 05 April 2007
	Prime Minister Tony Blair has written to Liverpool supporters who had signed an e-petition calling for Bob Paisley to be awarded a posthumous knighthood explaining why it won't be possible to honour the club's most successful manager.
Here is the Prime Minister's email explanation in full: Bob Paisley's achievements in football were remarkable. It is easy to see why so many people want to see his record formally recognised. This has been underlined by the thousands of people who have signed the e-petition on the No 10 website calling for him to be granted a posthumous knighthood. But this is simply not possible. A knighthood is an honour only given during someone's lifetime. Unlike bravery awards and medals, they have never been granted posthumously. Formally, this is because the recipients of knighthoods are admitted into a particular Order when they attend an Investiture ceremony in person. In practical terms, however, it would also be impossible to decide which of thousands of figures in our country's history, who were not knighted during their lifetimes, should retrospectively deserve such recognition. For example, there are already similar e-petition campaigns for posthumous knighthoods for football managers Bill Shankly, Brian Clough, Jock Stein and Bill Nicholson. But strong cases could also be made for many other high-achieving sports figures as well as authors, scientists and others who were not knighted during their lifetimes. Charles Darwin, Captain Cook, RJ Mitchell, who created the Spitfire, John Lennon and even William Shakespeare are just a few of those who were not honoured in this way while they lived. The fact they were not knighted, however, does not in any way detract from the contribution they made to this country. Their lives and achievements have each been celebrated and remembered in many other ways. But a knighthood is, however, not possible for someone, no matter how accomplished, who is no longer able to receive it. Yours sincerely, Tony Blair

[Darren]

READING 1 - 2 LIVERPOOL Saturday 07 April 2007 15:00 , Barclays Premiership

REDS BEAT READING TO STAY THIRD Liverpool have tightened their grip on a Champions League place after goals from Alvaro Arbeloa and Dirk Kuyt gave them to a 2-1 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday that keeps them third in the Premiership. Arbeloa's 15th minute strike, his first for the club, was cancelled out by Brynjar Gunnarsson at the start of the second half, but second half substitutes Jermaine Pennant and Dirk Kuyt combined to give the Reds all three points and complete an excellent week after wins over Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven. It's a sixth Premiership away win of the season for Liverpool. The Reds came to Reading looking to make it a hat-trick of wins over Steve Coppell's side after beating them in the League and the Carling Cup at Anfield earlier this season; and Rafa Benitez once again made the most of his squad by making a number of changes, with the most notable being the return of Craig Bellamy to partner Peter Crouch in attack. It was the Reading attack that provided the game's first threat when Hunt went down under a challenge from Reina before seeing claims for a penalty waved away. And the home side continued in the ascendancy when a cross into the area evaded Reina and Hunt just failed to reach it. The Reds were under pressure, but they broke and took the lead against the run of play in the 15th minute when Alvaro Arbeloa scored his first goal for the club. It came when Arbeloa broke on the right and he continued into the area to collect Crouch's defence splitting pass to finish coolly beyond Hahnemann and into the net. The goal gave Liverpool the platform they needed and they went on to enjoy a relatively untroubled first half while remaining dangerous themselves on the counter attack. Half time arrived without the addition of any further goals, but Rafa's men will have gone in satisfied with what they'd done so far. Their satisfaction wouldn't last long though because Reading emerged and equalized at the start of the second half through Brynjar Gunnarsson. There was a suspicion of offside as Gunnarsson scored across Reina and in off the post, but the goal stood and the scores were level. Liverpool responded instantly when Bellamy went down in the penalty area, but the referee ignored strong appeals for a penalty. And that was to be Bellamy's last act because Rafa replaced him with Dirk Kuyt in the 50th minute. Reading's equalizer proved to be the catalyst for an all action second half. Within the space of a few minutes Reading almost took the lead when Crouch headed against his own crossbar and then Liverpool nearly went in front again when an out-stretched Gerrard just failed to convert Kuyt's pass. It was end to end and it was anyone's guess who would win, but it was Liverpool who took a deserved three points when Jermaine Pennant crossed to Dirk Kuyt in the 85th minute and he scored with a close range header. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Finnan, Gonzalez, Sissoko, Mascherano, Gerrard MBE (captain), Crouch, Bellamy. Subs - Dudek, Kuyt, Pennant, Agger, Riise Reading: Hahnemann, Shorey, Gunnarsson, Duberry, Harper, Hunt, Ingimarsson (captain), Sidwell, Oster, Doyle, Kitson. Subs - Bikey, Long, Halford, Lita, Federeci Referee: P Walton Conditions: Dry Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher

[davidmphill]

As soon as I leave for pastures new the Reds have gone and won 3 in a row! Long may it continue. I was very shocked to see them thump arsenal 4-1 when I logged onto the net, not sure if it was deserved or not as I never saw the game or highlights. As for the PSV game I did expect them to prevail as the Dutch side are struggling these days and the Reading game was a decent reult as thats the kind of game that points have been dropped in before. The signs are looking good for dare I say it next season but havent we been there before!?

[lemonjon]

liverpool going well at the moment but their still gonna be 15- 20 points behind the winners of the league, so what u think liverpool need to catch the big 2?

[Darren]

Originally Posted by lemonjon

liverpool going well at the moment but their still gonna be 15- 20 points behind the winners of the league, so what u think liverpool need to catch the big 2?

Not an awful lot really. A good start for a change is a must if we are to have any hope of challenging. And results away from Anfield need to be a lot better.

Gonzales needs to play a bit better when picked and we need another striker. I'd like to see us bring in a better left back than what we have as well.

Past couple of seasons we have been able to stick long winning runs together, but we need to do it more really. Chelsea and/or Man Utd don't drop many points so there is little room for error

[davidmphill]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, they need an out and out goalscorer who can get 20 goals a season for them. The defence is as good as anyones if not better for me. Its the hard part of converting chances that'll bring them closer and ultimately past their rivals.
Rumours of Trezeguet from Juve but not sure on him but time will as always tell.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

I've said it before and I'll say it again, they need an out and out goalscorer who can get 20 goals a season for them. The defence is as good as anyones if not better for me. Its the hard part of converting chances that'll bring them closer and ultimately past their rivals.
Rumours of Trezeguet from Juve but not sure on him but time will as always tell.

Not a fan of Trezeguet, not really sure who I would like to see signed up front though. The Eto'o rumours are good to hear, hes a greedy selfish little fcuk who can score plenty - which sounds exactly like what we need. I'd be surprised to see him signed though.

Heard that Cisse might be returning to us end of the season as well

[bigmal76]

at least you should cruise through tonight. eh.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by bigmal76

at least you should cruise through tonight. eh.

Shhhh. Not seen what sort of team we are putting out tonight yet, and if it starts like "in goal for Liverpool, Jerzy Dudek" I'll be worried

[Darren]

LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 PSV EINDHOVEN Wednesday 11 April 2007 19:45 , Champions League Quarter Final (2)

CROUCH COMPLETES STROLL TO EURO SEMI Liverpool confirmed the worst kept secret in football on Wednesday night by comfortably completing the formalities of their Champions League quarter-final success over PSV Eindhoven. Peter Crouch's 67th minute goal was enough to a secure a 1-0 second leg victory that, together with the 3-0 win in Holland a week ago, sets up a mouth-watering last four clash with Chelsea. To compound the misery for Ronald Koeman's side, Dirk Marcellis was sent-off in the 64th minute for a late challenge on Bolo Zenden. The heroic events of Istanbul 2005 are proof that sporting miracles, the kind of which PSV needed tonight, do happen. But the odds of the reigning Eredivisie champions mounting a Liverpool-style comeback always looked longer than the queues which will snake around Anfield when the semi-final tickets go on sale. With such a commanding first-leg advantage Rafa Benitez enjoyed the luxury of being able to ring the changes for the second instalment of this tie. Agger, Alonso, Zenden, Pennant and Riise all returned to the starting eleven and in the absence of Gerrard and Carragher, who both started on the bench, Sami Hyypia led the Reds out as skipper. The manager and his players had professionaly warned against the dangers of complacency in the days building-up to the game and a Jefferson Farfan header that was tipped over by Pepe Reina after just three minutes seemed to re-emphasise the message. The home crowd were certainly not resting on their laurels and they again created the kind of rousing atmosphere that we've now come to expect on a European night at Anfield. Their backing of the team, however, was temporarily suspended shortly before the quarter hour mark and replaced by sympathetic applause for Craig Bellamy who was sadly stretchered off after injuring his knee ligaments when making a defensive challenge. Bellamy's replacement, Robbie Fowler, entered the arena to a deafening roar but it was strike partner Crouch who went closest breaking the deadlock during an opening half that failed to ignite on the pitch like it had off it. From a right-wing centre by the ever improving Jermaine Pennant, Crouch did well to hook his right foot around the ball only to see keeper Gomes pull off a spectacular one-handed diving save. Zenden then curled a free-kick narrowly past the post and any faint hopes his former club may have harboured of turning this tie on its head were fading fast, especially when Dirk Marcellis saw red after the break. An angled effort from Farfan, which Reina pushed around the post, was the best the visitors could muster before Crouch side-footed home from close-range to seal victory on the night. Crouch, again, and Pennant had chances to increase the lead further before time was up but it mattered little. PSV, conquerors of Arsenal in the previous round, had been comprehensively defeated over the two legs. Another titanic semi-final with Chelsea now awaits and the message from the fans inside Anfield was 'Bring it on!'

[Darren]

Gotta admit I missed the goal through channel hopping to the other match and the cricket My mate loves cricket too but I think he was gonna take the remote off me through the match. Stroll in the park, neither side played to win it. While Liverpool didn't need to anyway, PSV had pretty much given up really.

Dunno how the young lad ended up being sent off, barely worth a booking and the red card was poor from the ref, unless I missed something of course. But it looked a nothing challenge really.

[lemonjon]

easy game for the pool, and Mr Crouch scores again

i actually like he scores, cause he is basically give a to all those that gave him abuse cause he was to tall and didn't LOOK like a striker.

On the sending off,(seen the tackle but nothing b4 that) the tackle was a yellow card (not sure if the guy already had one) but not a straight red (if thats what he got)