Liverpool thread

[AJ]

Originally Posted by Darren

Just a shame you get some facts wrong really. Prices are press opinion, Torres was certainly not a 26M buy, much nearer 20M And we lasted longer this season in FA Cup Think someone seen us coming when we took Voronin on a free though. What a lump of shite.

Have Liverpool outspent Utd and Chelsea in how long? This season might be close after Mascherano signing, but we have long since been playing cathup. Also had our season spend higher than 66M, we'll need to compare notes

details really, I forgot just how early you went out the FA cup last season (Arsenal 3rd round ), instead of Barnesly last 16 this time.

As for the prices, press reports is all we have to go on, unless you have access to the books.

The main body of my point remains unchallenged I think

[Darren]

Originally Posted by AJ

details really, I forgot just how early you went out the FA cup last season (Arsenal 3rd round ), instead of Barnesly last 16 this time.

As for the prices, press reports is all we have to go on, unless you have access to the books.

The main body of my point remains unchallenged I think

Its fair to say we deserved to go out to Arsenal - Dudek was shite in the two cup games, and that was a key factor. Barnsley though Luke Steel had the game of his life, it was a freak game. All things said it has added to the best FA Cup in many years.

As I have sad we are playing cathup. Last good player to come through Liverpool ranks is Warnock (who I think is pretty good, for a man who has had 2 broken legs he shows no fear in the tackle even now). We were left in a mess after Houllier, but the problem was deeper than that. Shit all coming through, shit all likely to come through.

Rafa gave some a chance, Raven and Potter for example. Now ply trades at Wolves (reserves a bit) and Carlisle.

Its so hard these days for a young player to make the grade when its a top team we speak of. Man Utd loaned ut Frazer Campbell, sell fee is reported 4M, not much said about him staying though. Can he really do worse than sicknote Saha? Ebanks Blake (ex Utd) is a big target for clubs.

Liverpool don't yet really have any of those players, even as rejects. Standard to get into first XI is very high, but below that up until lately we have had very little. Otsemobor maybe, sold for samll fee, Raven small fee, Partridge samll fee, Warnock 1.5M or so. We are playing cathup for sure.

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

Gone backwards???

Last year 21pts off top. This year currently 14 with a game in hand.

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

Any idea how Anderson and Hobbs have done out on loan this season? Both look like they have some potential.

[AJ]

Originally Posted by WorkingForTheEnemy

Gone backwards???

Last year 21pts off top. This year currently 14 with a game in hand.

Football is a game of relative success not absoultes

you're 4th this season, you were 3rd last year, therefore you've gone backwards

[Darren]

Masch holds Olympics dream

Liverpool midfielder may miss start of new season

Javier Mascherano could miss the start of next season after the Liverpool midfielder stated his wish to play in the Olympic Games.

The Argentina international is keen to be part of his country's squad which will be looking to defend their title in Beijing.
Mascherano was a member of the squad which won Olympic gold in Athens in 2004 and he is again keen to be involved.
He is planning to discuss the situation with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and accepts he could miss some big games for the club.
"I know that Liverpool will have big games when the Olympics are on and I have to speak to the manager about it," said Mascherano.

Time to tell Rafa


"But I want to go to Beijing because playing for my country is the most important thing for me.
"I want to go to the Olympics and play for my country. I am in the squad again, so I think I will be going - it's what I want to do.
"I won a gold medal in Athens and the Olympic Games are very important in Argentina because we have the title.
"It would be important to any athlete to defend the gold medal.
"I haven't spoken to Rafa yet because we have had some big games in the past few weeks, but now is the time to tell him."

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

Originally Posted by AJ

Football is a game of relative success not absoultes

you're 4th this season, you were 3rd last year, therefore you've gone backwards

Sorry, disagree. We've got a better record than last season so have progressed. Just happens Arsenal have progressed at a faster rate.

Id rather be finishing 4th in a top 4 with 4 pts between us then finishing 3rd and 20pts off top.

[Darren]

MPs BACKING AFC LIVERPOOL PLANS

Apr 10 2008

by Our Correspondent, Maghull and Aintree Star

MPs across Merseyside have given their full support for AFC Liverpool – the fan owned club established by LFC supporters. Peter Kilfoyle (pictured) and George Howarth are among those from a number of constituencies across the city, who have given their full backing to the new club, seeing it as a positive and welcome response to the rising prices of match tickets – bringing football back to the community. Peter Kilfoyle, MP for Liverpool, Walton whose constituency includes Anfield said: "AFC Liverpool is about those forced to the margins by the takeover of football. They have my support for the sake of the game's future." Cllr Tony Robertson, leader of Sefton Council, also contacted the club, explaining how there is full support from all political leaders within the council, commenting how there is a 'clear consensus to say that we (Sefton Council) are happy with your aims.' AFC Liverpool is a club set up by those who have been priced out of Anfield by rising ticket prices. The club is a non league, not for profit, cooperative, with the community buying equal stakes giving them their say. AFC Liverpool aims to flourish alongside the Premiership team, seeing themselves as 'LFC's Little Brother'. Unlike other clubs established by supporters - such as FC United which formed in protest to the Manchester United Glazier takeover - the AFC Liverpool ethos is about accessibility and affordability and is in no way a rebellious or negative response to any current issues at Anfield. Since establishing AFC Liverpool club spokesman, Alun Parry has been inundated with offers of support from Liverpool and also nationally and internationally – with interest from afar as Iceland and Singapore. AFC Liverpool is currently advertising for a manager and have received phenomenal interest with some very highly qualified CVs. The club are currently reviewing suitable candidates and will be making the post announcement very soon. Labour MP for Knowsley North, George Howarth said: "I believe that the proposal for a non-league AFC Liverpool team is very much to be welcomed. “Important though our Premiership and league loyalties are, football is also a grass-roots sport with opportunities to play or spectate at a wide range of levels. “This proposal would, I believe, help create an affordable opportunity for families to watch and enjoy football at a lower level and the chance for good players to step up a level." AFC Liverpool is currently sourcing a home ground and is also holding trials which will take place over the May Bank Holiday. The club have also applied to play in the 2008/2009 Vodkat North West Counties League 2 – providing matches that will have all the passion of the game without the steep prices. Alun Parry said: "We are so grateful for all the support we have received so far. To receive the support from local MPs is real encouragement and extremely welcomed. “AFC Liverpool is all about the fans – so many of who have already embraced the club by becoming members. We have exciting times ahead with finding the new ground, the new manger and establishing the team.”

[Darren]

Been slow off the mark on this one, that stories from a month ago Only became aware of them at the weekend. Not a rebel club, which tbh I thought at first they might be, would possibly catch more support going that way with the way things are atm.

[Darren]

AFC Liverpool unveil their new manager

May 3 2008 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

NEW non-league club AFC Liverpool today unveiled their new manager .
Former Southport and Bangor City centre back Derek Goulding was the man chosen to lead the amateur outfit.
The 45-year-old is a licensed coach who famously masterminded Burscough FC’s giantkilling win over Gillingham in the 2005 FA Cup.
He told the ECHO: “I am delighted to be the first ever manager of AFC Liverpool as this is a club with enormous potential.
“I have been a Liverpool fan all of my life and I can't wait to build this team.
“I have been successful as a player and as a manager and I am looking forward to bringing that approach to AFC Liverpool.”
Club spokesman Alun Parry said: “Derek is a very experienced coach and manager.
“He has managed at a level three leagues above us and outwitted Football League clubs.
“In non-league terms, this is a coup equivalent to a League Two side appointing the likes of Martin O'Neill or Harry Redknapp.”
Goulding has well-established contacts on the non-league scene and is promising to attract at least one other A Licensed coach to his staff.
He will be at the player trials at Buckley Hill Playing Fields, in Buckley Hill Lane, Bootle, on Bank Holiday Monday.
The team was set up for fans fed-up with rising Premiership ticket prices.
So far around 1,000 people have pledged cash to the project.
AFC Liverpool are close to sealing a place in the Vodkat League after getting the non-league approval a few weeks ago.
The club hopes to have youth teams, a women's team, junior girls teams and a disability team too.
AFC Liverpool will be run as an Industrial & Provident Society

[Darren]

RAFA CONFIRMS MILLER DEPARTURE Jimmy Rice 08 May 2008
	Rafa Benitez has confirmed first-team coach Alex Miller will leave Anfield to become manager of J League side JEF United Chiba.
The Scot leaves for Japan after nearly a decade at Liverpool both as chief scout and, since 2004, as part of the coaching staff. Benitez confirmed Miller would be replaced over the summer. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is very positive news for Alex. This is a very good opportunity for him to coach in Japan. "It means we will be promoting some of the existing coaching staff and also over the summer we will be looking to bring in a replacement. "We have some names and options but need more discussion first. "I want to wish Alex all the best in his new job." Chiba are bottom of the J League standings after collecting two points from 11 games so far this season - a run which led to Croatian coach Josip Kuze being sacked on Wednesday. Miller enjoyed a 15-year playing career with Rangers before earning his European coaching licence. His managerial CV includes South China AA, St Mirren and Hibernian, who he led to the Scottish League Cup.

[Darren]

Kewell´s Liverpool days at an end


Written by: AFP
2008-05-08 17:42:53

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Harry Kewell's time as a Liverpool player will come to an end at the end of this season, manager Rafael Benitez confirmed on Thursday. Benitez hinted that Kewell, whose five-year stay at Anfield has been marred by recurring injury problems, had turned down an offer to stay at the club on reduced wages. "We have tried to come to an agreement with the player and his agent, but that has not been possible," Benitez said. "Kewell will leave the club at the end of his contract." Kewell, 29, has not played for Liverpool since the club's 2-1 FA Cup exit to Championship side Barnsley on February 16.

[Sir Fernando]

Originally Posted by Darren

Kewell´s Liverpool days at an end


Written by: AFP
2008-05-08 17:42:53

cya later Harry, shocked he's not prepared to take a wage cut, he's 29yrs old, will only be used as a squad player next year. He owes the club big style after the patience shown to him over the last four years.

Not fussed he's going though.

[Jonesy Knows]

Thank **** for that! Kewell has been useless and has never exactly wanted to roll his sleeves up for Liverpool! I'll never forgive the twat when he didn't fancy it against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final coming off with some spurious strain when Liverpool were getting pulverised in the first half!
I seen some article the other day about this leech on how much he has cost Liverpool per game and it was something like £159 k per game he was paid for the time he spent playing for us!

BBC website is reporting that Rafa won't let Crouch go for anything less than £15 million about time we stood our ground on players and got a decent sale price! If nobody comes forward for him so be it, I do like Crouch as he does give us something different when he plays!
I can't understand how we are linked to Kenwyne Jones of Sunderland? when we have Crouch who is far better than him!

One thing is for sure if we want to challenge for premiership next season is that we have to get rid of the deadwood: Kewell, Riise, Voronin and replace them with some quality who can make a difference to us.
Defensively we look as good as anybody and we also have Torres now that elusive striker who can consistently bag 25 + goals a season.
It's the wings where we need to have something different - Babel should be put on to his natural side on the right and played regularly! The likes of Barry would be a good aquisition for the left side - Pennant is worth keeping hold of as he can be an able sub to be brought on as he has the skill and distribution to contribute, he just needs to get some confidence.
Truth be told Liverpool don't really need to bust the bank to get in players to make a difference! Just some quality to add to what we already have.
We have clawed back a little this season to get nearer Chelsea and Man Utd - we lost fewer games than Man Utd! which says something!
Just need a bit more of a killer instinct in games and turn those drawn games around! I would like to see Rafa put his best 11 players out on the pitch in the premiership games and get the games won as early as possible then he can start taking players off to rest them when the game is in the bag!
Above all though I hope the ownership of the club is finalised soon - why Hicks and Gillet are persisting in ******* hanging on I'll never know!
I just wish they would accept DIC's offer and get the **** away from Anfield, then this elusive stadium can be built.

[doublecee]

I wonder if the deafening silence coming from across the pond could be significant.
Not having any trophies to brag about must hurt the Texans. Let's face it, bragging seems all they are good at. Definitely not running a football (sorry, soccer) club.
Let's hope D.I.C. are waiting, just around the corner.

[western skies]

So, what do we think the missing part of the jigsaw is this year then?

As I recall, last season it was all about a 20 goal a season striker. This bloody jigsaw must a right bastid!

[Jonesy Knows]

Well if Liverpool had a rich sugar daddy like Chelsea then we'd be at world domination by now!!!

Have you cooked that humble pie yet? in the certainty your gonna win feck all and Man Utd win the double!

Originally Posted by western skies

So, what do we think the missing part of the jigsaw is this year then?

As I recall, last season it was all about a 20 goal a season striker. This bloody jigsaw must a right bastid!

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by western skies

So, what do we think the missing part of the jigsaw is this year then?

As I recall, last season it was all about a 20 goal a season striker. This bloody jigsaw must a right bastid!

We'll always find an excuse, the 20 goal a season one is dead now, struggling to find a new one!

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by Sir Fernando

cya later Harry, shocked he's not prepared to take a wage cut, he's 29yrs old, will only be used as a squad player next year. He owes the club big style after the patience shown to him over the last four years.

Not fussed he's going though.

I was delighted when he joined the club for a what seemed like a bargain fee of 5m. He had literally the footballing world at his feet and the stage to do it on.
Injuries didn't help and Liverpool never got to see the best of him at all, huge shame but I am glad he has gone. Interesting to see where he ends up after this.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

I was delighted when he joined the club for a what seemed like a bargain fee of 5m. He had literally the footballing world at his feet and the stage to do it on.
Injuries didn't help and Liverpool never got to see the best of him at all, huge shame but I am glad he has gone. Interesting to see where he ends up after this.

A little sad to see him go actually. Although given the little use he has been this season fair enough. Houllier played him through an injury and he's never been back from it. Even had a spell out with gout ffs.

He's 29 now, looks like a career lost through injury really, wasn't as if he was that fit at Leeds at the end. Shame, sorry to see him go but he wasn't playing for us, I don't see why he would have wanted to stay to not play, fit or not. Good luck o him wherever he goes.

On a side note will he do a big Aussie press thing the way he did when he joined us..."And the club I am joining is..." find out soon.