Saturday, April 3, 2010

Glen Johnson is the answer to our left back problem against Benfica


Left or Right, you name it & he will play: Glen Johnson

If Rafael Benítez was thought to be experimenting with Glen Johnson during the pre-season, then boy what an experiment it's turned out to be.

Throughout the pre-season, the Reds new signing proved his versatility by playing across the defence, most notably in the left-wing back position.

So, if Albert Riera is not allowed (& rightly so..) to feature against the return leg with S.L. Benfica at Anfield, with Yossi Benayoun getting the nod - Rafa can opt to shuffle his defence by having the more-right footed Jamie Carragher as right back and Glen on the left. (In the absence of Emiliano Insúa for the return leg of the Europa League quarter-final second leg at Anfield)

Sotirios Kyrgiakos, if he has been registered for the competition, can join Daniel Agger in the heart of the defence.

Even if Carragher is asked to play left-back, (and if Glen gets injured in the most unfortunate circumstances at St. Andrews on Sunday) then you have always got Javier Mascherano for defending on the right side.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Red News: Redknapp Jr speculates Rafa-Gerrard rift as Rafa looks to future


Can you spot the difference?: Sealing the connection, Jamie and Harry Redknapp

Jamie Redknapp is fast proving two things.

Firstly, that he is worst off as a pundit.

Secondly, that his father Harry Redknapp gets all the favour by pouring misery on Liverpool.

Needless to say anything more, he is fast losing his respect amongst the Anfield faithful.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benítez is looking towards the Reds future.

And the manager's pre-match chat, seemed quite positive.

Also, the boss has had a talks for a possible takeover with Rhone Group.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Media Article in Inspection: Rafael Benítez fudged the challenge against Manchester United by Louise Taylor



What Me Worry?: Fernando Torres opens the deadlock inside the first five minutes against United


The probability of better, or even good, journalism being shimmered regarding Liverpool's deranged (/ing - as the campaign is yet to end) season of 2009-10, is akin to finding a water storage tank amongst the sands of Sahara.

And Louise Taylor, the Guardian's north-east correspondent, has joined the swelling (yet annoying) list of babbling journalists - who prove their worth equivalent to 5-year-olds toying with (a new found device) keyboard.

It's not from sheer patriotic 'Red' zeal but reading a wall-writing twice gives a better picture.

With the boon of internet media, you can go over the writing for the 'gazillion'th time and no one's complaining.

Except when you have got a head over heels situation.

Like entering the second paragraph, after trying to grasp the situation of first - as if all are naive to the importance of a North-West derby - we are delivered a delusional and crocked Liverpool.

Hapless and bearings falling around, with their star-striker so disillusioned by the club's direction that he may bid adieu to Anfield and head to Eastlands.

Interesting. In it?

However, let's shed some light towards Fernando Torres' loyalty, shall we?

Or rather let's direct Mrs. Taylor to some classic journalism?

She need not go far but search the archives of her Guardian colleague, Sid Lowe, who had covered the success of Torres during his Premier League debut season with Liverpool.

As one line strikes perfect chord to Torres loyalty issues with his former club, Atlético Madrid.

Better still for Atlético fans, he was one of them - a rojiblanco born and bred, ever since his granddad introduced him to the Calderón - and had resisted the advances of the league's best clubs, sticking with his team through thick and thin.

Trouble was, it was mostly thin.



Torres stuck out with the lesser known ( and less glamorous) Madrid side because, well he was a fan of the club.

One of the reasons why Fernando has hit an analogous frequency with Liverpool and orbited to dizzying heights( as a world class striker ), is Rafael Benítez.

As Lowe's article points out:

Rafa Benítez's assumption that the rut into which he had run was Atlético themselves has proven justified. 


As Torres recently admitted to FourFourTwo, there were too many people at Atlético who hid behind him, too much responsibility laden onto his shoulders. 


The English game, he added, suits him. It is faster, looser, more direct, the defences are more open. He is not asked to play such a part in building moves, just be ready to finish them off; his physical presence suits the Premier League. 


It has enabled him to become a better player.


Torres loyalty to Benítez and Liverpool is unquestionable, if we are to go by history.

And history has a kind habit of repeating itself.

But the rut does not stop here, does it?

Benítez had pulled out a white flag ( God knows from where) with his team selection - considering that minus Maxi Rodríguez ( Albert Riera ), Glen Johnson ( Jamie Carragher on the right ), Emiliano Insúa ( Fábio Aurélio ) and Daniel Agger ( Sami Hyypiä ) from the line-up and spell the player names in brackets - voilà you have got the 4-1 winning team ( at Old Trafford ) against Manchester United.

Since, every payer ( with the exception of 21-year-old Insúa ) looked worthy enough to do a repeat of last season's scoreline.

But what Mrs. Taylor has failed to take note of, was Liverpool were well on course of a winning scoreline until Howard Webb's penalty decision.

Such was the frustration, that Torres even scuffed the penalty spot.

Summing up the series of decisions that have gone against Liverpool.

Tempo and confidence was lost, so was the game.

In the midst of such absolutely simple logic, the point of the self deception of the Champions League and Primera Division winning manager is quite paltry.

Daring? Well, you can't go all guns blazing.

Start of the season was totally morbid - One game 4-0 next game 1-3 or even worse.

The match against Aston Villa was a perfect example of shooting yourself in the foot.

Liverpool chasing the match spun into a real-attacking intent after Fernando Torres scored a 72nd minute goal.

But three minutes later, Steven Gerrard made one of the most uncharacteristic tackle to down Nigel Reo Corker in the box, only for Ashley Young to score from the penalty spot.

Game over.

With confidence and morale such fragile, it's quite sane to be cautious.

And Benítez's tactical judgement do go wrong, but as far as I can remember they have been plenty right.

The manager accepts blame for defeats and as far as I know, he isn't a small boy trying to hide in a 'Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak'.

Benítez is stubborn, that's why he's at Liverpool. His vision carried Liverpool to a 86-point haul last season, two Champions League finals, a Carling Cup final, an FA Cup, and the Champions League.

Against irritating odds, his vision and stubbornness is driving Liverpool.

And should Liverpool end up with the Europa League and a fourth place, that self-deceiving boy would be proven right.

Parlance or no parlance, on any day a Champions League winning manager will drive the club not a random piece of blab from a north-east correspondent.

That is what Rafael Benítez and Liverpool are all about, Mrs Taylor.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Benítez admits to keeping up morale


Another late 'ne: Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino scores a late winner against Liverpool


Late goals, injuries to key players, poor results and controversial decisions have had detrimental effect on the squad.

After their 10th defeat of the season at Manchester United, the Reds' boss has admitted that following a defeat the morale of the players reaches a new low.

However, with Manchester City losing and Aston Villa drawing means Liverpool can afford no more slip-ups with Sunderland at the weekend.

And Benítez has taken note of Sunderland's main threat Darren Bent, who has had a good season with 20 strikes to his name in 31 league outings.

"Bent is a good player. He's always thinking about scoring and it could be a problem for us," said the Spaniard. 

"Twenty goals in the Premier League is a fantastic achievement. 

"They have some other good players and they showed good team spirit in the game in October. 

"I think they're improving a little bit now so it will be dangerous. 

"They will be working hard, they'll try to be organised and push and press and play counter-attack. 

"But playing at Anfield makes a big difference for us and we'll have to play well in front of our fans. 

"We have to get three points and then think about the next one."

Masch commits to Liverpool


Easy Target for El Monstruo: Mascherano seen here doing what he does best against Frank Lampard


The Argentine international, who has a reputation of making tough tackles, is touted as one of the best holding midfielders in the world.

And with such popularity, FC Barcelona were sniffing around to secure the services of the former West Ham United player during the summer.

However, the Catalonia giants could see their plans come to naught with Mascherano admitting that he is keen on extending his stay with Liverpool.

Thommo blasts Reds' owners as Rafa looks to negate Bent threat


Legend Thommo: Phil Thompson

Former Liverpool assistant manager and player Phil Thompson has criticized Reds owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for having given only lip-service regarding investment.


"The club, the stadium and what’s happening on the field just seems to be secondary in the Americans’ minds. They’re all about money and getting the debt down which shouldn’t have been there in the first place."

Meanwhile, Reds' boss Rafael Benítez has spoken of the threat posed by Sunderland's Darren Bent - who has been in sensational form.

The English striker, who has hit the net 20 times in 31 league outings, scored the only goal - albeit a controversial one - during his sides' 1-0 win over the Reds at the Stadium of Light.

No 'Beach'iness: Darren Bent on his way to score the 'Beach ball' goal



Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Barnes backs Liverpool's bid for fourth place


 Red backing Red: John Barnes

Liverpool legend John Barnes has backed the Merseysiders for a fourth place finish.

While admitting the Reds are under-achieving due to various factors, the ex-midfielder believes Liverpool have the quality to finish fourth.

Barnes is also hoping to get back into management after his stint as Tranmere Rovers boss.


'Little Prince' but 'Great Expectations': Alberto Aquilani

Meanwhile, LFC boss Rafael Benítez has tipped Alberto Aquilani to play a major role in the fight for fourth place.

The Italian, who arrived at Melwood from AS Roma during the summer transfer window, has shown flashes of brilliance - despite struggling with match fitness - which included a MOTM performance against Portsmouth.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Media rumor: ESPN claims Juve are looking to secure Rafa's services

ESPN have claimed that Juventus are looking to secure Liverpool boss Rafael  services before the start of next season.

The Turin giants have had a season to forget, after successive losses to Fulham in the Europa League and Sampdoria in Serie A.

An unnamed Italian source was quoted while Corriere dello Sport have speculated that Rafael Benítez would take Fernando Torres and Javier Macherano with him to Turin.

Meanwhile, former Reds' player Mark Lawrenson has published a column in the Liverpool Daily Post regarding  Fernando Torres' ability to stick to Liverpool.

Instead of trying to praise the Spaniard's character for sticking to a team going through a rough patch, Lawro has speculated as to when will Fernando leave.

The worse line being: Let’s face it, Torres would score 45 goals if he was playing for United because they would play to his strengths.



Carra confident of top four finish


'Carra'dona still believes

Liverpool vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, believes that the Reds can manage a fourth place position after their 10th defeat at the hands of Manchester United at Old Trafford.

But the former England defender has warned his side that they cannot afford more slip-ups.

The realism of Carragher's talk is quite right considering the Merseysiders don't face any big clubs, home or away - with the exception of Chelsea who visit Anfield for the penultimate fixture of the season - but they do face tricky away trips to Hull City, Brimingham City and Burnley.

Note: The Guardian article author, Louise Taylor, has done her utmost best in keeping the article clean.

But she has failed miserably in one account - she has again wonderfully offered her personal verdict.

'Hollow' promise? - We will see that in May.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Riera set for Reds exit


Albert Riera: Sinking or not sinking, you're leaving

Former RCD Espanyol winger Albert Riera could soon be a former Liverpool player with the Guardian reporting that the 27-year-old is being shipped off to Moscow.

Liverpool have reportedly accepted a £6m bid from PFC CSKA Moskva following the Spaniard's outburst against Rafael Benítez during an interview on radio Marca.

Prior to the outburst, it had been speculated that Riera had hit Reds' reserve striker Dani Pacheco in a training ground bust-up.

Riera, who has had previous Premier League exposure via a loan stint with Manchester City, was signed from Espanyol for £8m in 2008.

Rafael Benítez hoping for rivals to slip


Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez

Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez has admitted that the Merseysiders' rivals will need to slip up if his side are to finish in the last Champions League spot.

However, the gaffer has expressed his team's 1-2 defeat to Manchester United will not be a set-back.

Quite fact-full, considering Liverpool had put four and three past Portsmouth and Lille OSC, respectively.

Meanwhile, Bradford City have extended Robbie Threlfall's loan period.

However, former Reds' player Ronnie Whelan has expressed his belief that Liverpool players have given up on their manager.

Whelan joins a handful of former Reds' players who have called for sacking Benítez, every-time when the team loses without considering the problems faced by the Spanish manager during Liverpool's most tumultuous season after a long time.

Masch set for stay as Aqua's agent laughs off exit rumours



'Monster' Masch and 'Little Prince' Aqua training.

Javier Mascherano is set to sign a new deal that will see him with the Anfield club for a longer period of stay.

The 25-year-old has become a key player for Liverpool and is being touted as one of the best holding midfielder's of the world.

While in other news, Alberto Aquilani's agent has laughed off rumours linking the talented Italian to a move back to Italy.

Considering, the former Roma man having joined Liverpool this summer - a quick move back to Italy would be quite preposterous.

Former ref Graham Poll talks of cynical Liverpool

Former English referee Graham Poll has talked of 'desperate' acts by Liverpool against Manchester United, in his latest interview to Daily Mail.

But Poll forgets what United were playing alongside.

Gary Neville's foot landed on Maxi Rodriguez's head - which is, in any case, a yellow card offense.

Small details, yet forgotten.

At the very least, Liverpool weren't lucky to have the services of Mr. Poll instead of Mr. Webb.

WC 2006, Croatia vs. Australia - remember that Mr. Poll?