Liverpool thread

[davidmphill]

Watched the PSV game over here on Setanta at a friends house and apart from a few dodgy minutes early on I thought Liverpool looked fairly comfortable. It was a tough match in the fact that they had everything to lose and nothing to gain but overall it was a professional performance and they got the result that matters and thats another bite at Chelsea.
It looks set to be another titanic tussle and one I believe Liverpool can prosper from again and who knows set up another final with AC Milan?

[reds84]

I think its more interesting that the mind games have started already!?Mourinho talks like a manager thats built up a team from nothing with no money and only his skill as a manager ,which in reality it frustrates the life out of me when he spews out the bullshit .....

[Darren]

Reds held in dreary draw

By Mark Buckingham - Created on 14 Apr 07

Manchester City and Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw in an instantly forgettable affair at The City of Manchester Stadium.
DaMarcus Beasley came closest to lifting the tedium when hitting the crossbar in the second half, but a winner was not what either team deserved.
Liverpool, aiming to hold off Arsenal for third place, were bereft of ideas, while City were content to pick up a point with Premiership safety surely secured.
Bordering on the pointless, the first half had nothing which will make it into any highlights package and merely served to recommend free admission to these end-of-season 'contests'.
To suggest the two teams were labouring in the spring sunshine would indicate great effort being dispensed and any signs of sweat glistening on brows would have been a trick of the light.
Liverpool did have a chance in the opening five minutes as Jermaine Pennant got in front of Michael Ball, but was unable to steer his shot past Andreas Isaksson.
Pennant should be praised for staying on his feet after a tug from Ball, but he will still be disappointed with his meek effort.
Sylvain Distin cut out a low John Arne Riise cross before Emile Mpenza headed narrowly wide after stealing in front of his marker.
Xabi Alonso, with a reputation for scoring audacious goals, tried his luck from the halfway line, but such a sensational strike would have been out of keeping with the general mediocrity of the game.
Beasley volleyed off target after Distin kept a City corner alive before Jamie Carragher hit the side-netting after Pennant's poor corner had trickled across the six-yard box.
Liverpool started the second half with a little more tempo with Steven Gerrard, playing in an advanced role, heading off target and then seeing his deflected shot comfortably saved by Isaksson.
Riise showed his penchant for vicious shooting with a low drive from 25 yards whizzing past the post following a relatively bright start to the second period.
Dirk Kuyt turned Pennant's cross over under excellent pressure from Richard Dunne before City were denied by the woodwork 15 minutes from time.
Jose Reina's punch from a corner went as far as Beasley, who cut back inside and curled his shot against the top of the bar.
Ball dribbled a shot wide before City fans roared for a penalty when a long throw-in landed on Carragher's arm.
Three minutes of injury time was a needless addition to a game which possessed all the fizz of a pre-season friendly.
Click here for player ratings

Manchester City	Team Name	Liverpool
0	Goals	0
0	Shots on target ( Inc Goals )	3
6	Shots off Target (inc woodwork)	8
1	Blocked Shots	0
3	Corners Won	4
13	Total Fouls Conceded	16
5	Offsides	0
1	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
40%	Possession	60%

[Darren]

Originally Posted by reds84

I think its more interesting that the mind games have started already!?Mourinho talks like a manager thats built up a team from nothing with no money and only his skill as a manager ,which in reality it frustrates the life out of me when he spews out the bullshit .....

I think thats what he wants. I can't imagine Rafa reads much of the stuff he says, but mearly tries to play on it and throw it back at him. Like they all do.

Gotta say managerial mind games just bores me, its just there for the papers to have another headline really. And generally only the fans bite. And Keegan.

[Darren]

96 REDS WE'LL NEVER FORGET Liverpoolfc.tv 15 April 2007
	Eighteen years may have passed since the terrible events at Hillsborough but the 96 who lost their lives will never be forgotten.
John Alfred Anderson (62) Thomas Howard (39) Colin Mark Ashcroft (19) Thomas Anthony Howard (14) James Gary Aspinall (18) Eric George Hughes (42) Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16) Alan Johnston (29) Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67) Christine Anne Jones (27) Simon Bell (17) Gary Philip Jones (18) Barry Sidney Bennett (26) Richard Jones (25) David John Benson (22) Nicholas Peter Joynes (27) David William Birtle (22) Anthony Peter Kelly (29) Tony Bland (22) Michael David Kelly (38) Paul David Brady (21) Carl David Lewis (18) Andrew Mark Brookes (26) David William Mather (19) Carl Brown (18) Brian Christopher Mathews (38) David Steven Brown (25) Francis Joseph McAllister (27) Henry Thomas Burke (47) John McBrien (18) Peter Andrew Burkett (24) Marion Hazel McCabe (21) Paul William Carlile (19) Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21) Raymond Thomas Chapman (50) Peter McDonnell (21) Gary Christopher Church (19) Alan McGlone (28) Joseph Clark (29) Keith McGrath (17) Paul Clark (18) Paul Brian Murray (14) Gary Collins (22) Lee Nicol (14) Stephen Paul Copoc (20) Stephen Francis O'Neill (17) Tracey Elizabeth Cox (23) Jonathon Owens (18) James Philip Delaney (19) William Roy Pemberton (23) Christopher Barry Devonside (18) Carl William Rimmer (21) Christopher Edwards (29) David George Rimmer (38) Vincent Michael Fitzsimmons (34) Graham John Roberts (24) Thomas Steven Fox (21) Steven Joseph Robinson (17) Jon-Paul Gilhooley (10) Henry Charles Rogers (17) Barry Glover (27) Colin Andrew Hugh William Sefton (23) Ian Thomas Glover (20) Inger Shah (38) Derrick George Godwin (24) Paula Ann Smith (26) Roy Harry Hamilton (34) Adam Edward Spearritt (14) Philip Hammond (14) Philip John Steele (15) Eric Hankin (33) David Leonard Thomas (23) Gary Harrison (27) Patrik John Thompson (35) Stephen Francis Harrison (31) Peter Reuben Thompson (30) Peter Andrew Harrison (15) Stuart Paul William Thompson (17) David Hawley (39) Peter Francis Tootle (21) James Robert Hennessy (29) Christopher James Traynor (26) Paul Anthony Hewitson (26) Martin Kevin Traynor (16) Carl Darren Hewitt (17) Kevin Tyrrell (15) Nicholas Michael Hewitt (16) Colin Wafer (19) Sarah Louise Hicks (19) Ian David Whelan (19) Victoria Jane Hicks (15) Martin Kenneth Wild (29) Gordon Rodney Horn (20) Kevin Daniel Williams (15) Arthur Horrocks (41) Graham John Wright (17) R.I.P - You'll Never Walk Alone

[davidmphill]

Lest we forget.
RIP

nice post

Never let us forget.

[davidmphill]

I'll never forget that day where I was. I was a young 16 year old doing my RAF Basic Training at RAF Hereford. We were all huddled around a radio listening to the commentary on what I believe then would of been Radio 2.
Sad day indeed.

[Darren]

I was only 8 at the time, and not sure if I actually remember it happening. My grandad died the same day, and thats about as much as I remember from April 15th 1989.

What really gets to me is the age of those that died. Most are so young.

Originally Posted by Darren

What really gets to me is the age of those that died. Most are so young.

We scattered my dads ashes at Anfield a few years ago and of course saw this.Your right,the ages of those who died are just terrible and such a waste.

[Darren]

YOUNG REDS SUFFER FINAL BLOW Jimmy Rice 16 April 2007
	Liverpool Under-18s have much to do if they are to retain the FA Youth Cup after going down 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield on Monday night.
The Reds lost the first leg of the final in front of Rafa Benitez, Alex Ferguson and 19,518 spectators despite taking an early lead through Craig Lindfield. A second-half penalty from United captain Sam Hewson and an own goal from defender Robbie Threlfall left Steve Heighway's men with a small mountain to climb in the return leg at Old Trafford on April 26. It was United who created the game's first chance when Febian Brandy broke free on eight minutes only to blast his 20-yard effort narrowly wide of Martin Hansen's goal. Six minutes later Brandy's strike-partner Christopher Fagan also ran clear, but this time the shot was spooned towards the corner flag. The Reds, meanwhile, seemed to be settling into their stride and showed no signs of being overawed by the occasion nor the cameras. In fact, Gerrard, Carragher, Reina and Alonso in the directors' box were witnessing some of the best football the youngsters had produced throughout this season's cup campaign. It wasn't too long before their tidy football paid dividends when Ray Putterill, who's clearly learnt a thing or two about wingplay from Academy director Steve Heighway, supplied a teasing cross for the onrushing Lindfield. The striker bravely beat United keeper Ron-Robert Zieler to head home his fourth Youth Cup goal of the season and make it 1-0 after 16 minutes. Somewhat stunned, the visitors tried to build up a head of steam but were more often than not thwarted by a dogged Liverpool backline. The game was being played in good spirit, helped by some common-sense refereeing from Mark Clattenburg. On 21 minutes a goalmouth scramble teed up Brandy, but his acrobatic effort dropped harmlessly into the Anfield Road hoardings. Ten minutes later Fagan forced a superb save from the holders' Danish keeper after an excellent run down the left by danger-man Daniel Welbeck. Despite having more shots on goal, United, without defensive linchpin Craig Cathcart because of a first-team call-up, were frequently made to look vulnerable by some superb deliveries into the box. Manager Paul McGuinness will have demanded his side make their pressure pay in the second half – and he didn't have to wait long for his wish to be granted. Reds centre-back Threlfall will doubtless have dreamt about heading the ball in at the Kop end, but what happened on 50 minutes was the stuff of nightmares. The defender, aiming to nod out for a corner, was dealt a terrible slice of luck when the ball crashed past a helpless Hansen and into the net. United, chasing a record 10th Youth Cup, were level. To be fair, Steve Heighway's side, who were without the suspended Astrit Ajdarevic, never let their heads drop, and they nearly went back in front on 66 minutes when Jimmy Ryan drilled a fierce shot into the side netting. Minutes later the impressive Ray Putterill curled over from 15 yards. The Kop was starting to find its voice. Unfortunately, they were soon to be silenced. Seventeen minutes were left on the clock when captain fantastic Jay Spearing downed Brandy in the box. Hewson made no mistake from the spot despite the best efforts of the Kop to unnerve him. Liverpoolfc.tv man-of-the match: Ray Putterill. Liverpool: Hansen, Darby, Burns, Spearing (capt), Threlfall, Barnett, Ryan, Flynn, Lindfield, Woodward (Eccleston 67), Putterill. Subs not used: Irwin, Roberts, Highdale, Parsonage. Man Utd: Zieler, Eckersley, Evans, Strickland, Chester, Drinkwater (Bryan 74), Welbeck, Hewson (capt), Brandy (James 90), Fagan, Galbraith. Subs not used: McCormack, Woods, Moffatt.

[Darren]

The Youth Cup Final is not the showcase event it used to be imo. With so many kids being brought in at high cost, I think this competition has been majorly thrown back for that. Plus with the senior sides, especially these two, moving so far forward on the rest of the Prem league, the gap is hufge there.

I could easily see no one from tonight making the breakthrough and turning out in league action for either club. But the brightest players looked to be Putterill, Barnett, Lindfield (Liverpool) and Brandy, Eckersley, Hewson (Man Utd)

Always found it funny that Man U had a player called Drinkwater playing I hope he makes it in the prem, just for that name

[Darren]

LIVERPOOL 2-0 MIDDLESBROUGH Wednesday 18 April 2007 20:00 , Barclays Premiership

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC FIRES REDS TO VICTORY Steven Gerrard was Liverpool's captain fantastic as third spot in the Premiership was regained following a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Anfield. The Reds skipper struck twice in the second half to seal the points against a resolute Boro side. He broke the deadlock with a blistering 30-yard pile-driver in the 58th minute and added a second via the penalty spot seven minutes later. Up until his opener it had been a frustrating evening, with the visitor's well organised defence keeping Liverpool at bay. Rafa Benitez had welcomed Momo Sissoko, Bolo Zenden and Peter Crouch back into the starting eleven as the Reds aimed to overtake Arsenal in the table. In a lacklustre first half of few clear goalscoring opportunities it was Sissoko who went closest with a low shot, while, at the opposite end, Fabio Rochemback fired into the side-netting after a rare mishap by Jamie Carragher just before the break Javier Mascherano headed onto the bar on 50 minutes from a Zenden corner and the Dutchman spurned a glorious chance minutes later when he blazed over from close-range. It looked like being one of those nights when the ball just wouldn't go in until Gerrard then intervened with his quick-fire double to win the game. His first was a trademark Stevie G strike that gave Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer little chance and for his second he sent Schwarzer the wrong way from 12-yards out after Crouch had been fouled by Andrew Davies. This result moves the Reds two points clear of the Gunners and needing just one more victory to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

[Darren]

Reds 1-0 up at home to Wigan at HT.

I know we like to keep it tight, but we have 1 goal conceded in the first half in the last 23 league games

I'm guessing that was at Newcastle...

[Darren]

LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 WIGAN ATHLETIC Saturday 21 April 2007 15:00 , Barclays Premiership

DIRK DOUBLE DOES IT FOR REDS Liverpool have secured Champions League qualification for next season after two goals from Dirk Kuyt gave them a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan at Anfield on Saturday, securing a top four Premiership finish. Kuyt put Wigan to the sword with goals either side of half time, his 11th and 12th in the Premiership. And Wigan had no answer, despite playing most of the second half with three strikers on the pitch. The Reds can now look forward to their forthcoming Semi Final against Chelsea knowing that league business is taken care of, while defeat for Wigan leaves Paul Jewell's men still in the thick of a fight for Premiership survival. The game started slowly and only came to life in the 11th minute when Gonzalez mis-controlled Pennant's cross field pass, setting up a chance for Riise, that he drilled the wide from 25 yards. Liverpool upped the tempo from that moment and they quickly forced two corners before Riise had another effort at goal, which was this time blocked. Pennant swapped flank with Gonzalez as the Reds went looking for the opener and it worked a treat in the 30th minute when Pennant cross from the left lead to Liverpool taking the lead through Dirk Kuyt. Rafa's side had been enjoying most of the possession, but they were finding it tough to break down a deep Wigan defence. But that all changed when Pennant crossed to the centre of the goal and Kuyt won his tussle with De Zeeuw to be first to the ball before heading into the Kop net. It was a goal that Liverpool's more ambitious approach had deserved and they might have gone in 2-0 up when another Pennant cross, this time to Crouch, ended with the Reds striker shooting just wide of John Filan's goal. Wigan made a change at half time, replacing defender Taylor with striker Camara, that suggested they weren't about to lie down. But it was Liverpool who continued to carry the greater threat after the break and it took a fine save from Filan to deny Kuyt a second in the 50th minute. The Reds were comfortable and as the clock ticked down it was struggling Wigan who had to show the greater. And they almost got themselves on terms when a rare 60th minute attack saw Baines' dangerous cross miss Camara before Hyypia was able to clear from Heskey. Liverpool's response was swift. Perhaps stung by Wigan's threat, they launched forward again and doubled their lead through Dirk Kuyt's second goal of the game. It came in the 68th minute when an excellent run from Bellamy caused confusion in the Wigan defence; and Kuyt was first to react when he turned and smashed the ball low into the right corner of the net. To their credit, Wigan didn't give up and it took a brilliant save from Reina to deny Folan's header. But Liverpool still looked like they would add to their tally and Gerrard shot just wide before Gonzalez brought a fine save out of Filan. The Reds can now head for Stamford Bridge in the knowledge that Champions League qualification is secure and focus their thoughts on entering next year's competition as the holders. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Arbeloa, Gonzalez, Alonso, Zenden, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt (captain). Subs - Dudek, Gerrard MBE, Mascherano, Bellamy, Agger Wigan Athletic: Filan, Baines, Jackson, De Zeeuw, Taylor, Kilbane, Landzaat, Skoko, Boyce, Scharner, Heskey. Subs - Granqvist, Ashahowa, Folan, Pollitt, Camara Referee: M Riley Conditions: Sunny Attendance: 44,003 Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Dirk Kuyt

[davidmphill]

Good to see Dirk back in the goals. I have a lot of time for this guy, he has so much quality and time on the ball. 5pts clear of the Gooners now, 3rd place looks like its in the bag. Nothing to shout about as we're still too many points behind the top 2 but hopefully and probably that will change next season.
Bring on Chelski now, things are building up nicely for us.

[lemonjon]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Nothing to shout about as we're still too many points behind the top 2 but hopefully and probably that will change next season.
Bring on Chelski now, things are building up nicely for us.

its funny cause liverpool fans have been saying the same thing for last 2-3 seasons it just never happens. Slow start kills liverpool and by the time they put a run together they r already 20 point behind.

It would be nice to a more competitive league, with 4 - 5 teams who could win it.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by lemonjon

its funny cause liverpool fans have been saying the same thing for last 2-3 seasons it just never happens. Slow start kills liverpool and by the time they put a run together they r already 20 point behind.

It would be nice to a more competitive league, with 4 - 5 teams who could win it.

TBH last season most didn't think we had a chance at the league. The Champions League win the season before may have tilted a few, but we ended that season 5th. But our season began so early, and had a mid season trek to Japan for the most stupid club competition about.

This season has been a let down in the league, been fine at home at truely awful at times away. We seem to over respect teams on the road, and go there thinking a draw would be a good result. Which it would be at any of the other top 4 sides, but we go to Villa, Man Citeh and Bolton looking a draw really. Man Utd go to Bolton thinking they will win and win 4-0!

Liverpool are close to being able to challenge. But as this season shows, you aren't allowed many mistakes. Arsenal will be better next season as well, so there will be a very fine line between them.

[aliando]

we are still a little way behind chelski and man utd but we seem to be slowly closing the gap.

what i feel we are really missing is more younger players coming through the ranks to the standard of gerrard, carrick, owen, fowler (when he was good) etc.

new money, if well spent, will be a big advantage. As much as like rafa, some of his signings have been very questionnable, but those outside of the spanish speaking market are generally better. Kuyt, hopefully, will be with us for some time!

not sure about tomorrow, but think Carls bet (in the CL thread) seems a very good plan.

[PAULM03]

I thought Liverpool would be in with a massive shout of the league this year, in fact I tipped them up to my Liverpool supporting mate who said they had no chance.

Two things have scuppered them this year:
1) Slow start
2) Superb seasons for Chelsea and united.