http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1249/lfc0708jb9.jpg

Hmm..An Ipod ad, surely even you can do better ewan.

Well, If Torres comes over, it might be a new situation at the top of the premiership, i mean the 2-3 place, Chelsea getting back on top!

It's the symbolism thingy man. They're plugged in to You'll Never Walk Alone. Hahah. Think we'll need to do a lot better than just Torres. The owners need to back their talk (which is pretty much everything they've done thus far) with signings that signal serious intent. Plus we need a whole new set of wingers and maybe a ball playing leftback once the striking department is sorted.

And then a new iPod for me.

Transfers update:

1: Andriy Voronin AM/FC (Bayer Leverkusen)
2: Sebastian Leto LW (Lanus)
3: Lucas Leiva DM/AMC (Gremio)
4: Krisztian Nemeth ST (MTK Hungaria)
5: Andras Simon ST (MTK Hungaria)
6: Gary Mackay Steven MC (Ross County)
7: Alexander Kacaniklic LW (Helsingborg IF)
8: Marvin Pourie ST (Borussia Dortmund)
9: Nikolay Mihaylov GK (Levski Sofia)
10: Mikel San Jose CB (Atl. Bilbao)

It's the symbolism thingy man. They're plugged in to You'll Never Walk Alone. Hahah. Think we'll need to do a lot better than just Torres. The owners need to back their talk (which is pretty much everything they've done thus far) with signings that signal serious intent. Plus we need a whole new set of wingers and maybe a ball playing leftback once the striking department is sorted.

And then a new iPod for me.

So basically everyone except Gerrard, Carragher, Agger, Reina, Xavi Alonso have to be replaced?...Good luck!

Did you guys sell Crouch yet?

About time we had a thread for the new season... hope people are still posting in this come next May....

Voronin and Lucas signed so far, both will most likely be bench material in their first season... come on, we need to sign players who will improve the team, not just squad players...

Liverpool Secure Torres For £27m

El niño heading to anfield, pending finalisation.

£27m Torres heading for Anfield as Benítez makes striking move

Sid Lowe in Madrid
Friday June 29, 2007

The Guardian

Liverpool and Atlético Madrid have agreed a deal to take Fernando Torres to Anfield. Liverpool will pay fractionally less than the €40m (£27m) buy-out clause Torres has at the Vicente Calderón, leaving the 23-year-old striker to finalise personal terms before the move goes ahead. Neither side anticipates major difficulties in closing the deal, with Liverpool understanding that any percentage of the transfer fee due to Torres must be paid by Atlético.

Luis García is set to go in the other direction for almost £4m but although his move facilitates negotiations on Torres and would bring down the cash price, the deals are not interdependent. Liverpool paid £6m for García when he joined three summers ago but their manager, Rafa Benítez, is prepared to release him and García is keen on a return to Spain to play for the club where he spent a successful season in 2002-03, scoring nine times in 30 games.

Although Atlético fans protested against the sale of Torres - the captain, standard-bearer and the player they have called The Kid since he made his debut at 16 - the club have decided it is time to cash in on their greatest asset. "No one is irreplaceable," said their major shareholder, Miguel Angel Gil Marín. "We have to build a competitive team and no one player, however good he is, can achieve our objectives on his own. Last time I spoke to Fernando he said he was staying but I can't prevent him having a change of heart and I have to be prepared for that."

Atlético have previously had to withstand an offer from Tottenham and informal approaches from Chelsea for Torres, but agreed to drop Torres's buy-out clause from €90m to €40m this summer to facilitate a move. They are keen on a cash injection and Torres has grown tired of waiting to fulfil his dream of playing in Europe for the club. He has always insisted he does not want to play for another Spanish team and is an admirer of the Premiership.

"If I left Spain I'd like to go to England, because it's interesting and because the way they play in Italy's not so attractive," he said 18 months ago. Liverpool wanted to offer Djibril Cissé as part of the deal but the Frenchman rejected the move. Torres scored 14 league goals last season, taking him to 75 in five top-flight seasons.

Liverpool have signed the 18-year-old Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San José for £270,000 and given their 22-year-old midfielder Mohamed Sissoko a new four-year contract.

Source: The Guardian

looks like you got him?

watever happen to that benyanon from west ham will liverpool sign him or what? i also think liverpool should go after tevez.

Not too sure about Torres. I hope he doesnt turn out to be a flop, because boy that price tag is high.

Everytime someone mentions Torres' name linked to Liverpool to me, it's like they're screaming "MORIENTES!!"... at that price, we can't afford him to flop... he must be successful

Torres is a good player, but paying more than 20€ millions is a mistake.

I think he can score 10-15 goals per season. But you never know what he can do in a Champions League team, since Atletico Madrid have been a midtable team last seasons.

In Atletico Madrid he was much better than other strikers with great future like Salva (top scorer of 2000), Kezman (mister 1523877 goals in dutch league), Mista or Aguero (25€ millions, 18 years old).

Will be nice to watch Torres in Liverpool. Since he is very fast and would help the fast counterattacks of livepool.

¿Morientes? Its a weird case, he scored a lot of goals in every team (Zaragoza, Madrid, Valencia, Monaco, Spanish NT) except in Liverpool :\

I heard that Liverpool are offering 32 millions + Luis Garcia to get Torres... :jambo:

anyone hear anything about benyaon goin 2 liverpool?

It's brilliant! Fernando Torres from Atletico to Liverpool. Im excited now.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/0630/liverpool.html

looking good :)

Having watched him play many times this season, I can say that Liverpool is over paying for Torres by about $10M. He's a quality poacher of easy goals, and finds himself in the right spot very often, which can be attributed to good positioning, but other then that, he's pretty one dimensional. Injuries aside, Liverpool already posesses a far more talented striker in Cisse. Torres doesnt link up very well with his strike partners, and doesnt offer much in terms of creativity.

Anybody who tries to compare this figure with what Chelsea paid for Sheva is ignorant and moronic. Torres isnt half the player Sheva was at Milan and never will be. Chelsea is not a good system for Sheva, he needs to be the vocal point of the offence, not trying to pick up Drogba's crums.


Liverpool should've tried harder for Villa, who is everything Torres is, and everything he's not. There's a reason why everybody whos actually seen Torres play doesnt rank him nearly as highly as people who look at his stats (which arent that amazing).

Having watched him play many times this season, I can say that Liverpool is over paying for Torres by about $10M. He's a quality poacher of easy goals, and finds himself in the right spot very often, which can be attributed to good positioning, but other then that, he's pretty one dimensional. Injuries aside, Liverpool already posesses a far more talented striker in Cisse. Torres doesnt link up very well with his strike partners, and doesnt offer much in terms of creativity.

Anybody who tries to compare this figure with what Chelsea paid for Sheva is ignorant and moronic. Torres isnt half the player Sheva was at Milan and never will be. Chelsea is not a good system for Sheva, he needs to be the vocal point of the offence, not trying to pick up Drogba's crums.


Liverpool should've tried harder for Villa, who is everything Torres is, and everything he's not. There's a reason why everybody whos actually seen Torres play doesnt rank him nearly as highly as people who look at his stats (which arent that amazing).

100% spot on (Y)

Liverpool 2007/2008:corn:

1 MV Jerzy Dudek
2 F Álvaro Arbeloa
3 F Steve Finnan
4 F Sami Hyypiä
5 F Daniel Agger
6 F John Arne Riise
7 MF Harry Kewell
8 MF Steven Gerrard (Kapten)
9 A Robbie Fowler
10 MF Luis García
11 MF Mark González
12 F Fábio Aurélio
14 MF Xabi Alonso
15 A Peter Crouch
16 MF Jermaine Pennant
17 A Craig Bellamy
18 A Dirk Kuyt
20 MF Javier Mascherano
22 MF Mohamed Sissoko
23 F Jamie Carragher
25 MV José Reina
26 MF Paul Anderson
29 F Gabriel Paletta
30 MV Daniele Padelli (på lån från UC Sampdoria)
32 MF Boudewijn Zenden
38 A Craig Lindfield
39 F Stephen Darby
42 A Nabil El Zhar
46 F Jack Hobbs
48 MF Emiliano Insua (på lån från Boca Juniors)

I guess Torres will be number 9 since Fowler is leaving.

Today he is passing the medical test

I belive that too. Now I have a player to have on my kit. 9 - Torres!

Im also glad we sold Luis Garcia to Atlético Madrid.

we need a solid left winger imo now.... Kewell's too injury-prone... and Riise is not a real left winger although he could be a very good lb and lm backup

Do you think Robbie "GOD" Fowler will be a good player for Vålerenga Oslo, in Norway?

Guys, DONT let Torres take a penalty in his six years at liverpool! Just DONT!

The best buy of Liverpool is...

Sebastian Leto, he is amazing. Pure class..he is like Lucho Gonzales but lefty...

Wait and see...

http://www.soccerway.com/photo.php?type=original&id=11684279830&x=250

did voronin decide what number to wear yet? i wanted to get his shirt, and was just wondering

what about this voronin player. he has been tearing it up for me so far at winning eleven, any got any info on him? also wat number will he get?

This is a fine pic:

http://pub.tv2.no/multimedia/na/archive/00448/Torres_448653c.jpg

Great to see Torres at Anfield !!!(6)

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2023/pictursfsfe201thumbgy2.png

:D

Much like Hargreaves, Torres is a player I've wanted to see play in the Premierleague for a long long time. Glad Liverpool got him, a proper number nine.

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/2023/pictursfsfe201thumbgy2.png

:D

Much like Hargreaves, Torres is a player I've wanted to see play in the Premierleague for a long long time. Glad Liverpool got him, a proper number nine.

You mean a big gamble by Liverpool? David Villa would have been a much more secure buy if they could have got him but Torres could turn out to be worth it.

Hopefully he does better than I am expecting him to do because he has the talent but for some reason he does not always come up with a good performance.

Ins
Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen) - Free
Sebastián Leto (Lanús) - 2,500,000
Lucas Pezzini Leiva (Gremio) - 6,750,000.
Krisztian Nemeth (MTK Hungaria) - 750,000.
Andras Simon (MTK Hungaria) - 750,000.
Alexander Kacaniklic (Helsingborgs) undisclosed.
Gary Makay Steven (Ross County)- undisclosed.
Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund) - undislosed.
Jay Spearing (Academy graduate.)
Ray Putterill (Academy graduate).
Martin Hansen (Academy graduate).
Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia) -undisclosed.
Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao) 270,000.
Dani Pacheco (Barcelona) - undisclosed.
Mihail Aleksandrov (CSKA Sofia) - undisclosed.
Fernando Torres (Athletico Madrid) - 18,000,000
Ryan Crowther (Stockport County) - undisclosed.
David Amoo (Millwall) - undisclosed.
Yossi Benayoun (West Ham Utd) - 4,500,000.
Ryan Babel - 11,500,000

Outs
Jerzy Dudek - Released.
Robbie Fowler - Released.
Daniele Padelli - Released.
Boudewijn Zenden - Released.
Florent Sinama Pongolle - Sold to Recreativo Huelva for 2,700,000.
David Roberts - Released.
Danny O'Donnell - Sold to Crewe Alexander for 100,000.
Luis Garcia - Sold to Athletico Madrid - 2,700,000.
Djibril Cisse - Sold to Olympic Marseille for 5,400,000.
Craig Bellamy - Sold to West Ham Utd for 7,500,000.
Mark Gonzalez - Sold to Real Betis for 3,500,000.
Danny Guthrie - Contracted till 2009 - Loaned to Bolton FC for 07/08 season.
Godwin Antwi - Contracted till 2009 - Loaned to Hatlepool FC for 07/08 season.
Paul Anderson - Loaned to Swansea FC for 07/08 season.

Ins
Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen) - Free
Sebastián Leto (Lanús) - 2,500,000
Lucas Pezzini Leiva (Gremio) - 6,750,000.
Krisztian Nemeth (MTK Hungaria) - 750,000.
Andras Simon (MTK Hungaria) - 750,000.
Alexander Kacaniklic (Helsingborgs) undisclosed.
Gary Makay Steven (Ross County)- undisclosed.
Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund) - undislosed.
Jay Spearing (Academy graduate.)
Ray Putterill (Academy graduate).
Martin Hansen (Academy graduate).
Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia) -undisclosed.
Mikel San Jose (Athletic Bilbao) 270,000.
Dani Pacheco (Barcelona) - undisclosed.
Mihail Aleksandrov (CSKA Sofia) - undisclosed.
Fernando Torres (Athletico Madrid) - 18,000,000
Ryan Crowther (Stockport County) - undisclosed.
David Amoo (Millwall) - undisclosed.
Yossi Benayoun (West Ham Utd) - 4,500,000.
Ryan Babel - 11,500,000

.

whats astonishing is Rafa always buys these average to above average players.Now that he has got money i would have expected him to get more high profile players except Torres.....what differnet are his sighnings than last season where if i recall correctly only Kuyt was well established player with some reputation

Yossi Benayoun (West Ham Utd) - 4,500,000.
Ryan Babel - 11,500,000

This two will be great for the team. Liverpool is almost complete now.

Liverpool has a good team now, but I think they will become 2nd or 3rd at the end. I hope they're gonna play like this:


-------------------Gerrard----Alonso/Mascherano------------------
------------Pennant----------------------------Voronin-----------
----------------------Torres-----------Babel----------------------

What do you think ladz?:mrpimp:
Oh..and ehm..I don't know the defenders well so I didn't fill that part.. :p

I thought Babel was wing, and Voronin a striker?

I thought Babel was wing, and Voronin a striker?

Voronin plays as striker, and a lot of times as an attacking mid as well. Unlike you though, i thought Babel was a striker.:mexican:

If i'm not mistaken he can play both positions.

Liverpool really overpaid for Babel. He's nowhere near as consistent to play at Premier League level. To compare, he's still miles behind Salomon Kalou IMO... He can turn out very good though, but not in the next 2 or 3 years. Babel would've done better by staying at Ajax.

I hope you take wrong and Babel will be a superb sign by Liverpool. :)

Every time I've seen Babel play for Ajax or NT he's played awesome.

Liverpool really overpaid for Babel. He's nowhere near as consistent to play at Premier League level. To compare, he's still miles behind Salomon Kalou IMO... He can turn out very good though, but not in the next 2 or 3 years. Babel would've done better by staying at Ajax.
He certainly is better than Kalou, but I also think they paid to much money for him. I think the same about Nani, Anderson, Pepe, etc. so I think it's normal now.

Sorry, but why did you put Babel instead of Dirk Kuijt? In my opinion Kuyt is ways better than Babel. That's not because Kuyt played at Feyenoord and Babel played at Ajax, but Kuyt is further in his development and is constant playing good. Babel is a player that play some good matches, but also play very bad some times. Babel may become a good Liverpool-player but he isn't there ready. 11,500,000 is way too much for a player like Babel.

Uhm...who are you talking to?

Liverpool has a good team this year, some great signings
I think they will finish 3rd but who knows what mihgt happen...

Get ready to see an amazing Mascherano next season...

He is having a superb Copa America...even scored 2 goals.

Sorry, but why did you put Babel instead of Dirk Kuijt? In my opinion Kuyt is ways better than Babel. That's not because Kuyt played at Feyenoord and Babel played at Ajax, but Kuyt is further in his development and is constant playing good. Babel is a player that play some good matches, but also play very bad some times. Babel may become a good Liverpool-player but he isn't there ready. 11,500,000 is way too much for a player like Babel.

But I don't see Babel as a contender for the forward position, but for the left winger against Kewell. I think that the forwards are Torres and Kuijt, with Crouch and Voronin in the rotation. And in the midfield, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko and Mascherano in the center midfield and Benayoun and Pennant on the right and Kewell and Babel on the left. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong.

And, if you think that the pay for Babel is very big, look at the pay that Madrid gives for Pepe. I mean, €30 million for a defender with no-name (comparing with guys like Carragher, Mexes or Nesta) is way, WAAAYYYYYYY too much.

Babel frequently complained at Ajax for being played as a left winger. I doubt he'll be very happy to play in that role at Liverpool.

Babel frequently complained at Ajax for being played as a left winger. I doubt he'll be very happy to play in that role at Liverpool.

You got a point. But I hope that under Rafa he will have more disposition of being in the left. Cause if he doesn't play in that position, probably he will die in Anfield.

I hope Benayoun will be getting some playing time.

In the last 44 years 1 player has moved between Manchester United and Liverpool.....

With the Israeli comming in does this mean that Harry Kewell won
t be around?

P.S.: That Voronin clown might end up being a waste of money.

Porn guy, I hope you're wrong. Who knows, maybe he turns into a goal solution. Also, I think that Rafa won't stick with just Kuijt, Torres and Crouch, so he will get some time on the field. Time will tell if Rafa made the right choice. And....about Benayoun, I've just see him if Rafa plays with a 4-5-1 with Benayoun as playmaker or as a right winger. If the second happens, maybe he will get some time on the field. Also, I've see more Babel as a left winger instead of forward, so the rivalries will be Benayoun-Pennant and Kewell-Babel.

Benayoun in my opinion is our top choice right winger if he shows the same kind of form he had in his first season with West Ham. Voronin looks like a pretty decent player to me, he'll probably get decent playing time. If Torres ends up being a blast we're very likely to offload Crouch next summer.

And, if you think that the pay for Babel is very big, look at the pay that Madrid gives for Pepe. I mean, €30 million for a defender with no-name (comparing with guys like Carragher, Mexes or Nesta) is way, WAAAYYYYYYY too much.

No Name? because you dont watch our league. and he went for 30 mill over guys like Carr, Mexes and Nesta because he is still young, he is only 23-25 i belive those guys are older, plus he is much better with the ball then all 3 of those and a better all around player

And, if you think that the pay for Babel is very big, look at the pay that Madrid gives for Pepe. I mean, €30 million for a defender with no-name (comparing with guys like Carragher, Mexes or Nesta) is way, WAAAYYYYYYY too much.

like you have any clue, aye?

Benayoun in my opinion is our top choice right winger if he shows the same kind of form he had in his first since with West Ham. Voronin looks like a pretty decent player to me, he'll probably get decent playing time. If Torres ends up being a blast we're very likely to offload Crouch next summer.

Nah i just don't see it. Benayoun is the one signing i really, really don't agree with, his consistency is too much of a problem, and when he is good, he's no-where near world class, which is what we need.

The wings are our only problem area. Up front there's no reason we shouldnt now score goals. The one thing i felt was interesting though, was how Rafa explained he had many players for 'four' positions, indicating he considers strikers and wingers to be alike, and he's right. Even Torres has played on the wing before, and Kuyt certainly can. With the (hopefully) resurgant Kewell on the left, there's quite a volley of players to choose from.

For me, to go all the way back around to my original point, Benayoun isn't anywhere near first choice for the right/left wing position, or at least he shouldnt be. A fully fit Harry Kewell is STILL our best option on the left, and Pennant showed at the death last season that he was capable of becoming the player Rafa intends or wants him to be. Indeed, i find it interesting that Rafa compared Yossi to Luis Garcia whom, himself, was a bit-part-inconsistant player and one that never truly found his place at Liverpool.

Time will tell, but i cant see Benayoun being anything more than a substitute, or at least i hope he isn't.

P.S.: That Voronin clown might end up being a waste of money.

Yep, paying £0 to sign him was a complete waste of money.

Yep, paying £0 to sign him was a complete waste of money.

So I guess he's playing for free.

...If Torres ends up being a blast we're very likely to offload Crouch next summer.

Will be dissapointing, but I wouldn't mind it if the Dutch/Spanish combination works upfront.

No Name? because you dont watch our league. and he went for 30 mill over guys like Carr, Mexes and Nesta because he is still young, he is only 23-25 i belive those guys are older, plus he is much better with the ball then all 3 of those and a better all around player

Well, you're right, I don't see the Portuguese league because there's no interest in this part of the world for this league, maybe the TV guys think that in this league is full of "no-namers" who doesn't draw big bucks like the English-Italian-Spanish leagues. However, I've respect that league, because is turning into a "crop league", with some young guns who will break it into the future. Or Deco, Maniche, Costinha and Cristiano Ronaldo aren't enough proofs???? Also the transactions of Pepe and Nani are more proofs of the good prospects from Portugal to the future.

However, until I've see how well Pepe is going to do at Real Madrid, I will keep saying that he's too expensive for a central defender of his characteristics. Also, he would have to fight hard for his place in the lineup against Cannavaro and Ramos, and that would be a tough call.

Liverpool will somehow find a way of making Torres ****e. They always do!

How funny is the sighting of a Ross County player in among the signings

Nah i just don't see it. Benayoun is the one signing i really, really don't agree with, his consistency is too much of a problem, and when he is good, he's no-where near world class, which is what we need.

The wings are our only problem area. Up front there's no reason we shouldnt now score goals. The one thing i felt was interesting though, was how Rafa explained he had many players for 'four' positions, indicating he considers strikers and wingers to be alike, and he's right. Even Torres has played on the wing before, and Kuyt certainly can. With the (hopefully) resurgant Kewell on the left, there's quite a volley of players to choose from.

For me, to go all the way back around to my original point, Benayoun isn't anywhere near first choice for the right/left wing position, or at least he shouldnt be. A fully fit Harry Kewell is STILL our best option on the left, and Pennant showed at the death last season that he was capable of becoming the player Rafa intends or wants him to be. Indeed, i find it interesting that Rafa compared Yossi to Luis Garcia whom, himself, was a bit-part-inconsistant player and one that never truly found his place at Liverpool.

Time will tell, but i cant see Benayoun being anything more than a substitute, or at least i hope he isn't.

Yossi was a blast in his first season with West Ham. Again, if he shows that same kind of form he could do the trick. He might be one of those impact players we bring on the second half though, which is not too bad. Pennant showed some good stuff at the death but overall his season was decent at best. He's still an inconsistent player. I like his "non-afraid to take on defenders" attitude on the pitch though. Harry is my favorite for the left-wing aswell, considering he's fit.

Torres can play on the wing but he's more efficient upfront. I would like to see the Babel/Torres duo upfront with Kuyt on the wings (or the opposite, Babel on the left and Kuyt as a forward). Anyway, we cant complain about squad depth now, even though i still dont see us besting Chelsea or Man Utd.

Is crouch going to play at all or what? I was just wondering cause I actually like him, he is effective.

I have heard that Torres starts today, is that true?

That's probably because at EuroSport there's a match between Liverpool and Werder. I have to watch it. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSuDWd8f7cc

hey guys, i got a question i need your help for a fantasy league, would it be smart in picking Alonso? will he start alot of games this year?

He's most likely to rotate with Mascherano. Wouldnt be smart imho.

Hey, Lean. You've forgot the Suntan Superman, Momo Sissoko. I hope he could come back being an alternative in the center, especially because Liverpool needs a lot of a good defensive midfielder since Didi Hamann left the club. So you're right, Xabi wouldn't be a good choice in Fantasy League, but also Mascherano and Sissoko, and maybe Lucas, the brazilian dude who came from Gremio.

True, forgot about Momo. Quite frankly no Liverpool player is a good pick for a fantasy league thing. Rafa usually rotates a lot and no player is likely to feature week in week out, except for Reina and probably Gerrard.

This Babel kid's similarities to Henry are ******* eerie, man. It's as though he's been mimicking Thierry's every move and gesticulation since he was a toddler.


He's about the same build, as athletic (if not more so......which is ridiculous), and about as flair filled and technical aswell....and I know that all I'm going by are perfectly edited youtube highlights that camouflage his flaws, but from what I've seen, this kid is a ******* gem, man.

He looks pretty talented to me. But our dutch fellas claim that he's also pretty much inconsistent, so lets see how he turns out.

He looks pretty talented to me. But our dutch fellas claim that he's also pretty much inconsistent, so lets see how he turns out.
Heard the same stuff about him.

Brilliant one day, off the next.

He's young though, that's something he can fine-tune hopefully.

Was gonna say, first season for Man Utd Ronaldo wasnt exactly consistant.

And im old enough to remember Henry pre-Arsenal, he wasn't at all consistant, often completely anonymous in some games to be honest.

Was gonna say, first season for Man Utd Ronaldo wasnt exactly consistant.

And im old enough to remember Henry pre-Arsenal, he wasn't at all consistant, often completely anonymous in some games to be honest.
True enough.... no one ever said he wasn't GOING to be good, just that he has lacked consistency.

Maybe Rafa and hard work can fix that.

I hope that you guys Diouf 'em up so that he can come to us in a couple of years' time for a bargain based price.

New stadium looks ace, i had three criteria and all three have been upheld:

1. Please god don't let it look like all other new stadiums. (Y)

2. It has to hold quite a few (60,000 with a potential to rise to 75,000) (Y)

3. Please let it still have the same noise as Anfield.

I must say, i was worried about point 3, but after seeing how the inside SHOULD look, it looks as though it's gonna keep noise in very well indeed.

I hope that you guys Diouf 'em up so that he can come to us in a couple of years' time for a bargain based price.

You got to be kidding me. Comparing Babel with Diouf...........God...........

I've saw the pics of the new stadium and god, looks really awesome!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I hope that infrastructure surrounding the new field will reach a high level so we all could have an awesome complex to go. Who knows, maybe a 2012-2013 Champions League final in Liverpool......with Liverpool playing the final, wouldn't be absolutely crazy??????? A must see place in Liverpool, I'll love to go to a match day at this stadium even if that was a 3th round match of the F.A. Cup against a Isthmian League team, jejejejejeje.

However, it's sad when you know that July 25th, 2007, it's the day who marks the beginning of the end of the legend known as Anfield. I hope I could go there before everything is said and everything is done and Anfield wasn't there anymore..............

Nice stadium indeed!

Makes me worry a bit about my finances now that I MUST visit both Anfield and the new stadium :(

Any link to the pictures?

Is it going to open next season? If so, I'll have to go to a Liverpool game this year. I've always wanted to see at least one game at Anfield.

The atmosphere is th key because Emirates just doesn't have the same feel as Highbury...atleast not so far....hope similar thing does not happen here.

Larger KOP section.

****, i'm not going to manage a trip to Liverpool this year. Always dreamt of watching a few games at Anfield. Guess i'll give a go for the new one then, in some years time, oh well.

doesn't the new stadium open in 2010? that gives you (us?) a few years, Lean...

I'd really like to go in 2008 though, Liverpool being European capital of culture and all that

2010, i would also like to go to Anfield before it shuts.

To be fair, it shouldn't be too hard for me (H)

Well, 2010 gives me some more time but it's still unlikely. Unless i change to some job that pays pretty well. I'll graduate in 2009 only and it's hard to get a job even being graduated. Let's see. Would be one of my greatest frustrations in life not to watch a game at Anfield. By the way, awesome new stadium. Looks pretty unique in comparison to all the newer stadiums.

I've been to Anfield, and I've got to say, it's worth it. Sell your kidney if you must, just go before the new stadium is opened.


Vote Elin

I don't know, I wanna go to Anfield before it closes, but I've gotta say that it's a very hard effort going to Liverpool from this part of the world, you know, the tickets (to the stadium and the planes), the hotel, the visa, and well, that will be a lot, and I mean a lot, of money. So, I have 3 years until I could go there. I will be sad the day Anfield gets demolished...that reminds me a little bit of what happened on De Meer in Amsterdam, I won't be surprised if the club will let people take something from the old ground as a memorabilia, like a square of the grass, or a chair of the stands, or something, who knows? But yes, that will be sad..........

BTW, what the club will do with the Shankly and Paisley Gates, the This is Anfield plaque on the tunnel, the Hillsborough memorial, the flagpole at the Kop, I mean, with those historic spots of Anfield? Are they going to merge it with the structure of the new stadium or are they gonna leave it there?

heh, with so many S. Americans willing to go to Anfield maybe we should set up a tour...

but yeah, xbox is right... too many things to pay for, and with the pound so strong, it's highly unlikely I'll ever make it to Anfield... still... I have a few months to win the lottery :(

Also, I think I've read something about the Hillsborough memorial being relocated to the new stadium, but it can be my memory playing tricks on me...

Oh yea, and there's the visa stuff too, ha! Not to mention i'm scared of airplanes, especially considering what's going on around here. Hopefully by 2010 things might be a lil' better...

Oh yea, and there's the visa stuff too, ha! Not to mention i'm scared of airplanes, especially considering what's going on around here. Hopefully by 2010 things might be a lil' better...

Congonhas, I know......and ALL the Gremio team was scheduled to take that plane............and the black box recordings has been made public, according to CNN, and there was taped the last moment, a horrible moment, RIP all the people who died in that accident.

So, the only hope you got is that from 2010 your fear of flying was gone, or that a high speed train were build between Rio and Lisbon ;)

Yeah, hearing the tape wasnt too pleasant of an experience. I hope that by 2010 TAM becomes a half-decent flying company and our air crisis ends haha. I live in Campinas, São Paulo state, kind far from Rio, so that's a non-possibility. (even bigger than a train being built!)

Well, people, we need to be more active. I mean, if the last reply of this thread was made 5 days ago, that worries me. So, I don't know, what do you think of Liverpool after the Rotterdam tournament, and how the team looks for the opening game @ Villa Park?

Liverpool threads have been quite irregular at SG, not sure why. The old CM forum used to be full of Liverpool fans though... oh well, sorry about that... that's just me acting like an old man...

I haven't watched the Rotterdam tournament, but I do have good expectations about the League this season. We must start strong though, and not only at home.

I have been so unfortunate to be working when the Rotterdam matches were played, but I as well have good expectations about the league. I'm really looking forward to see how Torres comes out, and I've liked what I've seen from Voronin so far. What we need is a new CB and a LB, then I think we've got a pretty competitive team for the title this year

So come on the guys, make your bets, who's gonna be our front two (or one or three) come Saturday?

All i know that it won't be Crouch, but i'm not ruling out Voronin spoiling the Kuyt/Torres party.

I'm hoping to see a Crouch/Torres partnership in the first match, but I would guess that we see a Torres/Kuyt party

Same on both counts, though i have to admit Voronin has impressed me.

Babel has his work cut out.

Voronin will be a strong player this season, hopefully he will continue to improve his game even more this coming season.

I believe we'll start with Kuyt/Torres too... Kuyt was almost ever-present last season, and Torres is the big name signing...

Voronin used to be a good player at the offense for Leverkusen so i'm optimistic about him. For our strike partnership i expect to see Kuyt and Torres starting, with Voronin probably coming out on the second half if things arent working, or Babel, if we're up, for more counter-attacking options.

For me, I think that the couple will be Torres-Kuyt, but I think Torres-Crouch will be an excellent couple. I have Voronin in high expectations, so I think that he will be a second half cannon, watch out, kids............

And......about new CB and LB....well, I think that Carra and Danny are a great couple with Hyypia as a mentor for Agger. Also, I think Paletta should get more minutes, so, at least until Sami says goodbye (I hope he retires in Anfield!!!!!!!), I don't think we need to fill that department..........

LB........well, we really need LB's. And that's because Riise and Fabio Aurelio could do the job, but they play better as wingers. So, I could think about this : Beckham goes, Ruud goes, and now.......Heinze goes.........and goes to Anfield..........so just cry Alex, just cry..........cause when Mr. Hicks shows the money.............Glazer even could, could, what?................... :) (it's that a song??? Cause I suck........... ;))

I just hope Benayoun gets to play every other match.

Good result away to Villa, a winning start for a change.

It's a bit funny how some things never change, even with all the new players...

Liverpool work hard, score a goal, can't finish off the game, suffer the equalizer, Stevie to the rescue.

Managed to watch the first half before going back to work from lunch. We need to improve a bit some aspects of our game but the team looked kinda sharp. Torres and Kuyt were good considering it was the first game of the season too.

And Gerrard as always was brilliant.

Good result away to Villa, a winning start for a change.

It's a bit funny how some things never change, even with all the new players...

Liverpool work hard, score a goal, can't finish off the game, suffer the equalizer, Stevie to the rescue.

Thought exactly the same (Y)

Nice to start this way. I hope Liverpool will beat Chelsea to the weekend, and keep it that way against smaller teams, then I think we have a chance for the title. :D

Today it's To-Lose - Liverpool. :) Actually, in 23 min.. I hope we can do well, and get some away goals. We don't have to screw this :|

Why the frig we playing so early? Isn't Toulouse like an hour in front of the UK?

4pm start... Randomness.

Yeah, its weird. Good luck my red friends! :D

prepare to get raped......and by raped, I mean that they'll atleast come away with a draw against yous guys.

Hmm... Voronin scored, a nice goal.

1-0 it was then... a win away is always good, so no complaints from me.

prepare to get raped......and by raped, I mean that they'll atleast come away with a draw against yous guys.

Where's the tie, WHEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE'SSSSSSSSSSSSS THE FREAKING TIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x)

Mate, don't ever tempt fate like that. It ain't over yet, and they seem to be good enough, if a bit on the unexperienced side. They can still cause trouble at Anfield.

Yeah, in football you never know, but i dont see the lads screwing up on that one. Finally a good start to the season too, hope we can maintain the quality and get a result against Chelsea.

So is there any reason why Harry Kewell hasn't seen any time at all so far this season? Not even off the bench, in either game? Considering that he was nearly chosen to start in the Champs League Final, and came off the bench, Benitez obviously rates him...Any word?

Think he's just hard pushed for a place to be honest, the reserve winger tends to be Benayoun or Babel, or both. Kewell may well find himself a bit isolated, don't think he's injured.

Good luck against Chelski

Yeah I just think its weird Kewell hasn't really been given a look in at all..With Pennant, Benayoun and Babel the other wingers, I dont think Harry is really behind them in class (in fact I think in pure class he is probably ahead, but he just hasnt had the match time), and Rafa usually likes to rotate, and didnt seem too keen to flog off Harry (esp. to save some wages!) over the summer...Youd think if he wasnt in the plans, he would have been sold, even if for hardly anything. He didnt cost much, and his wages are huge..

Sorry lads, I'm just excited.

And about Kewell...ehh, I don't know what happens with Harry. He's a top class player, but during all his time in Anfield he didn't show his best, you know, the game that made him famous at Leeds. I hope he could do something good in the first half of the season, cause if he don't, he will be the next one on a way out of the team.

And good luck to the lads this Sunday. I've bet $50 against a Chel$ki fan!!!!! But that's not the main reason which I want 'em to win.

Fernando Torres! What a goal by a great striker. :D El Nino is by this presented for Premier League!

We played good enough, shame about the result (I know... I know... it wasn't... but that's football...)

So 2 yellow cards to Essien, and a penalty that definitely wasn't a penalty..Can the FA really continue to turn a blind eye to this sort of stuff from officials?

I guess the second card for Essien was actually given to Terry... but yes, terrible refereeing.

Haha. Robbery. Bloody hell, I actually thought we could win but.
Great goal by El Niño.

I've gotta see the news, cause the match wasn't broadcast live in this part of the world. However, it's sad, I've saw the stats on Internet, and it seems that the lads have Chelsea against the ropes. But, I'm happy that a certain team has a 2 of 9 points record. Meanwhile, we have a 4 of 6 points, and undefeated!!!!!!! I love it.

f*ck referee :@ and chelsea too.

el ninho goal was awesome :p xD

great niño great ! **** refeer must die like chelsea, defensive loser team

The good decisions against bad decisions seems to have balanced out now. After Mike Riley's shocking decision last week which, combined with gerrard's brilliantly placed free kick, got Liverpool a victory (seriously shouldn't have been a free kick though!) This week the ref has a shocker which went against Liverpool. These things unfortunately happen in football. Must feel bad because it's against your main rivals. Great performance by Liverpool. Definately title challengers.

just dropping in to give my condolences. that was some of the worst refereeing I've ever seen in a professional football match.

I have to say that penalty decision was quite possibly the most ridiculous I have ever seen in 20-odd years of watching professional football. I never rated Knob Styles, and berated him for an OTT red card decision last week, but that penalty decision took the biscuit.

But what punishment will he get from his paymasters for such shambolic officiating? Probably a slap on the wrist at the worst.

The good decisions against bad decisions seems to have balanced out now. After Mike Riley's shocking decision last week which, combined with gerrard's brilliantly placed free kick, got Liverpool a victory (seriously shouldn't have been a free kick though!) This week the ref has a shocker which went against Liverpool. These things unfortunately happen in football. Must feel bad because it's against your main rivals. Great performance by Liverpool. Definately title challengers.

You can't really compare the decisions, let alone say they even themselves out...

I wasn't comparing the decisions, I was just saying that last week Liverpool were given a decision in their favour, which in my mind was never a foul. Fair enough Liverpool deserved victory in that much, but had that late free kick not have been given then the result would almost certainly have been a draw.

This week Liverpool were given a decision against them which ultimately cost them 2 points. So whether event 1 didn't go Liverpool's way but event 2 did, or vice versa, Liverpool have 4 points. Liverpool fans have every right to feel aggrieved because it's a game which they should have won, and was against their title chasing rivals.

As Gerrard said last week, these sorts of decisions will even themselves out over the season because that's football, I was just trying to state that.

Sorry then, my bad.

I do hope we don't get this kind of refereeing anymore, be it in our favour or against us. I wouldn't mind Derby beating Chelsea, Man U and the Arse that way though.

OMG, I've saw the replay of the match, and, OMFG, that guy Styles (a relative of A.J. Styles?) stole the league from us. And I was right. The lads have those Blues against the ropes. Man, and El Niño scores!!!!!!!!! Maybe I lose the main bet, but I also have another bet (Niño scores, against a Barca fan who says he wasn't going to score) and that one is higher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My hopes for this season are very, very high so far. I hope we could do the type of performance shown today, and even better at home and doing great performances away.

I guess the second card for Essien was actually given to Terry... but yes, terrible refereeing.
That seems to be the official line...But I've seen it a few times, and Terry had clearly already been carded...

the penalty decision was just plain ridiculous... i'm pissed... enough said..

Styles dropped from refereeing any matches in the Prem next weekend, paltry punishment for such a diabolical decision. :|

"If they're naive and pure, I am Little Red Riding Hood."

Rafa Benitez about the claims by Jose Mourinho about the Sunday match.

Nothing more to say. Rafa is a gentleman. Rafa is god.

No way that was a penalty, but that's football for ya. At least we had a good game and Torres opened his account.

Seems like our away woes are no longer a problem.

Great performance today, a deserved MOM for Momo.

Torres and Voronin worked well.

Everytime I watch one of yer games and see Pennant out there on the right wing creating chances, deking out two players at a time with ease, cutting in so deftly for nice passes....it just makes my blood boil and curse Wenger vehemently....boy did we waste and squander that kid's potential.....we discarded 'em away sooo ******* cheaply, man...........grrrrrrrrrrr


anyway, Emmanuel Petit's doppelganger was utter **** today, man.....miscue after miscue.....still a very talented and hardworking player, though......just a bad outing, I suppose.

Now we looks like a gold-fighter. We beat smaller teams, produce chances and play well. It's good to see Liverpool now. To bad that Carra and Hyypia got injuried.

Even though it is a beautifull jersey, that black kid is so not Liverpool.
Voronin is a great asset. I think you guys got a great deal in signing him. Torres seems a natural in the EPL so far.

The soft schedulle should allow you guys to be on top after the first 10 matches or so of the season. Liverpool should be able to win the EPL this season hopefully.

Emmanuel Petit's doppelganger

Ha, ha, ha. LOL, man.

And now, the second leg of the third qualifying round of Champions League: Liverpool - Toulouse @ Anfield. Carra and Stevie were out of the game. I think our biggest threat is the mistakes we could make. No 30+ °C, and personally I don't see Toulouse doing something unbelievable against the boys. I think that could be the lineup

Itandje

Arbeloa - Hyypia - Agger or Darby - Fabio Aurelio or Riise

Benayoun - Sissoko - Mascherano or Alonso - Babel, Fabio Aurelio or Riise

Crouch - Voronin or Babel

OK, those were my two cents. Give your thoughts, people.

No CL football is unacceptable considering the amount we've spent this season and the signings we've made. But we managed a 1-0 away from home so in all honesty i cant see us screwing this one up. Would like to see Babel starting for this one. He looked good against Chelsea. And i seriously hope we dont play Aurelio at LB, he's a mediocre defender.

My god, when are we going to get a decent LB. I mean, Fabio Aurelio plays better as a LM. Riise can do something, but he's a natural LM. My god, is there any chance we could get a LB before the transfer window closes?? Who are your candidates for that spot????

Heinze? :p :(

Really Im posting to say that I found out Kewell IS indeed injured (again)...A few pages ago I asked if anyone knew why he wasnt playing, and no one seemed to know...People were siting that he was't good enough etc etc, which I found hard to believe (esp. since he hasn't even been on the bench) considering Rafa didnt try and sell him, and has obviously been a fan since he first arrived at Anfield. Harry is due back in 3 weeks I read.


Going back to Left back..I think Riise is a gun Leftback, and I think with Babel, and once Kewell is fit again that's where Riise should be played...But some back up would be nice...We've never really had an awfully strong candidate there..Traore anyone!!?

Good result against Tolouse, but seriously, with all those chances it could have been 8-0...

Nice to see Lucas getting some action, I hope he can fulfill his potential...

As for the Left Back... Riise is good enough, but he's not getting any younger.

How many mins he played? Did he look good?

Crouch has 8 goals in 10 CL matches, wow.

As for the Left Back... Riise is good enough, but he's not getting any younger.

Riise isn't that old... :fluffy:

:)

Riise is only 26. They were calling Alan Smith young when he was 24. Riise probably has 7/8 more years left in the game.

I thought liverpool were going Toulouse.

I just saw the last 3 minutes of the game, becuase I was in the university. However, I've saw the goal of Kuyt, and man, what a pass from Benayoun!!!!! I hope somebody who watch the match could post a recap of how the lads played today.

I thought liverpool were going Toulouse.

i actually did that earlier, my buddy said, liverpool are playing to lose tonight.

i thought :eek: wtf are you on about brah?! until i realised that he meant toulouse (H) he called me a dick and i hit him

Toulouse completely, and utterly, gave up after the second goal went in, comedy (H)

I thought Riise was way older, he seems to have been around forever... all the better he's still 26, but we do need to find someone more defensive to play left back...

Lucas played for around half an hour, but I didn't watch the match... once more I was dependant on the nice people at the irc channel, and they didn't say much about him...

You know what's something to applaud? The tune of Z Cars playing at Anfield, you know, the one used by Everton on their home games. And the one-minute applause. And the lads, the referees and the Toulouse players wearing the black armbands. And all for one reason: Rhys Jones.

I mean, that shows that even the most bitter rivalry could be stopped for a second, and react against the horrible crime of a kid. I know that the next time something like that will happen when hell gets frozen. But that show class, a desire of justice against the son of a bitch who committed that crime, and most of all, that we're human beings, and we shouldn't forgot that.

Kudos to the people @ Anfield last tuesday. And to the young Rhys and to Antonio Puerta, RIP. YNWA.

As much as we don't really particularly like Everton, and we have a bit of a checkered past with them (aswell as the obvious one of being local rivals) we aren't really the 'most bitter rivals'...I think you'd find most Liverpool fans would be cheering for Everton in a match against Man Utd for instance...And these days probably in a match against Chelsea too...And I know quite a few Everton fans, from when I was back in england, that were doing likewise (esp. in games pitting Liverpool against Man Utd)...Liverpool/Everton is a funny sorta rivalry...

Yeah you're right. At least the guys from the other side of Stanley Park were supporting the people when the Hillsborough disaster happened and all the **** from The S*n arises. And yeah, I prefer seeing Everton, hell, even a rock beating Scum and Chel$ki. It's a really strange rivalry. Maybe if all the deal of the Liverpool qualifying for the 05-06 CL were resolved in favor of Liverpool and send Everton to UEFA Cup would add a little spark to the mix. However, that's just a though.

But I think you didn't understand me. I wasn't refering to THE Liverpool-Everton rivarly. I was thinking in other REALLY bitter rivalries, like the Old Firm, Milan-Juventus, Madrid-Barcelona, Allblacks-Wallabies (am I right?), Yankees-Red Sox, Patriots-Colts, The Rock-Stone Cold, etc. And how even those rivalries could be stopped for a second because of a worthy reason. In this case, the Rhys Jones murder.

Liverpool
Porto
Marseille
Besiktas

Not super tough, but not easy either... Porto can be tough, Besiktas will be tricky... I'm not sure about Marseille, though

i think that this group clearly has 2 favourites : liverpool and porto
although the other teams aren't bad i think liverpool and porto won't have much problems

Let me tell you something sure about Marseille: Cisse and Zenden wanting some revenge.

But really, the biggest threat, well, yeah, it's Porto. But, a trip to Turkey (again) scares me to hell. Every Turkish team in their home is a big, tough business to deal. And well, Marseille is the wild card.

To conclude, Liverpool will pass as leader, and the other teams would be fighting with everything for the second place. But let me assure you that it won't be an easy ride.

Porto looks like the main threat. For the rest, seriously, nothing to be really scared about. I'll be very surprised if we dont finish first in that kind of group.

We're top of the league (H)

Liverpool are better without Gerrard. Discuss.

Do I have to steal a different line than this one?

"Oh, this will be an ass-whippin' you'll never forget."

My God, 10 goals in 4 days, El Niño just a goal away from being the top scorer of the League, the lads making on to the leading with one match less (sic), a good draw in Champions League, the team working as a machine, and all that without Stevie G!!!!!!!!!!! I see a bright future on our way............

people, we've just played Toulouse and Derby... I know we're playing well, but really, Toulouse and Derby....

Liverpool are better without Gerrard. Discuss.

Let's not be deceived by two wins against two miserable sides, because he's always the man who comes to our rescue. Gerrard is essential. It's just that the team is playing so well even without him that it can make one think that he's not really that needed, but that's not true.

He makes things easier for everyone else on the pitch with his work ethics and beautiful passing, not to mention, like i said before, he's the one who saves us when we're screwed. And there's no statistic that will make me believe the contrary. You can say our win percentage is bigger without him on the field, but that's because he plays the hardest games aswell, games Liverpool was very likely to drop a point.

Let's see how we fare against the top sides this season. I honestly think we have a good shot at the title this year.

Great game today.

It doesn't matter what opponent you play, when the result is 6-0. Even if you're playing against the weakest team in the league, you have to play damn good to get that kind of scoreline. It was a beauty to watch.

people, we've just played Toulouse and Derby... I know we're playing well, but really, Toulouse and Derby....

Yeah, but looks at this: we've made a great game at Anfield against Chel$ki and we should won it. If that guy Styles doesn't give the most ridiculous penalty in history, we will have a 12 out of 12, and one match left.

But yes, until we go against the big dogs, we should remain calm. But also, we shouldn't lose points against the smaller teams. That's why I'm really pleased with the performance of the lads so far this season.

We should be glad we beat teams like Toulouse and Derby. Remember last year? 1-1 v Sheff Utd for example. We have to beat the smaller teams to win the league. Thats why Liverpool haven't won for 17 years.

I love the standing right now. Yeah!

There does seem to be a difference in how we're playing this year, bit more confidence. To be honest we were lucky to get a draw at Brammal Lane last year!

Im agree. I think we play good football, and score enough goals. And got 4 world class strikers.

The big plus for us at the moment is our beautiful away form. But yes, we do look more comfortable this season.

0-0 away to Portsmouth.

Tough away match, though apparently we were not at our best and didn't deserve more than a point. Damn internationals, took our momentum...

Just a quick question fellas, i am wanting a small 'youll never walk alone' tattoed on my arm, and just wondering what font you guys think would best suit? ive searched everywhere for answers, and i cant find any >.<
cheers in advance for any assistence given.

definitly Webdings

Try something gothic, that would be cool

Did a few here, if any take your eye i've got the Photoshop document with the fonts i used on it.

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3354/youllneverwalkaloneer8.th.png (http://img146.imageshack.us/my.php?image=youllneverwalkaloneer8.png)

I think you should use the font that's in the Liverpool shield.

Shouldn't we discuss the game against Porto?

cheers tom, but ive just found a new crop of previously done ones on the net, that ill base my design around. like zlojack suggested i think im going to get the one on the gates.
hoping to mix a couple of designs together to come up with prefererred one, and instead of on the arm (job reasons) will be getting it on top and middle of back.
something like this design, without the liverbird.
http://www.liverpoolfc.nu/images/tattoo/ECBDDC41-6BBA-40EF-A53C-29BFCFFB89E8.jpg

and with the 'youll never walk alone'
similiar to this one but without shankly.
http://www.liverpoolfc.nu/images/tattoo/B26E6A56-EE95-4954-8841-5DB31D69A103.jpg
and probably something similiar to this in the middle underneath, not the same but similiar..
http://www.liverpoolfc.nu/images/tattoo/5C901EF9-8901-4DBA-9A8B-CC11883C61BB.jpg

then finally just want Liverpool FC Est 1892 , in the same font as the youll never walk alone, underneath everything.

going to cost me an arm and a leg, and my whole back lol .. but meh, worth it?

so, we have gone on a bad (actually, quite terrible) run and this thread dies once again...

Three matches in a row that we looked unlikely to win, or even score. Porto away can be considered a good result, but goalless draws against Portsmouth and Birmingham are much more worrying. We knew what we needed to do was not to lose points to smaller clubs, but that's exactly what's happening now.

We lost our momentum. Portsmouth away can be considered a good result, but drawing nil-nil with Birmingham at home is not what you expect from a side trying to win the title. Dissapointing.

what are your opinions on Rafa's rotation? I don't blame our recent results entirely on it, but I do think it played some part on them...

If/When Stevie Gerrard suffers a season ending injury,, it will be solely this c*nts fault:

http://img59.exs.cx/img59/2756/benitezanxiouspoint7dd.jpg


He complained that gerrard should not have played the England games,, but yet once hes back from NT duty he plays him non stop. Notably against FC Porto last week, when it was fairly clear that he was completely unfit and should not have been in the side, let alone played 90 minutes,,, then he plays him today in a meaningless carling cup match. Gerrard is not a robot, and so early in the season and carrying a broken toe, somethings gotta give. I feel like Benitez has a "f*ck you" attitude to both Gerrard and England ever since he played those Euro QF against his permission.

(i could care less about how Liverpool or England do this season,, Gerrard has just always been my favourite player)

I agree with Mikey there. It sure looks like Rafa got pissed off after Gerrard decided to play for England and now he just wants to prove everyone Gerrard will be injured because of that...

Now, I don't/can't blame Gerrard for playing for the NT. Sure, I wish he didn't, and that he was now fully rested and saving us from boring draws. But it's his choice in the end, and if doctors said he was fit, no one can blame a player for wanting to represent their national side on matches that were really important.

But, think about it. Yes, maybe Rafa is punishing Stevie because he accepted to play with the England NT. But it's also fault of McClaren and the England FA doctors. I think that Stevie isn't fit for the international duties, but McClaren needs the boy, even if there was more alternatives to fill his position. And Stevie? You could say that he have a little fault, but I can understand that he wants to play for the NT, and you can't blame him. Even if the team pays you for playing, I think that playing for your NT it's a honor, and not an obligation, so if he wants to play for the NT, OK, do it. But that doesn't means that because McClaren and Benitez have issues the one who had to pay is the player.

And, guys, about yesterday's match, well, again, a savior (Benayoun) gave us the 3 points. But I'm worried that the lads aren't playing as they did in the first matches. OK, we did the homework, and we get back (sort of) the 3 points we gave up against Brum at Anfield last weekend. But I hope the lads will play big time this Wednesday against Marseille.

Awful, awful performance against Marseille. it actually made Zenden look reasonably good. Zenden.

I'm confident we will still qualify, but really, we must improve drastically. Or maybe we should just focus on a decent league position.

I think Liverpool just need to focus. Something is definitely going pear shaped and I aint talking about Rafa's bum.

You are 3rd in the table with plenty of games to go. I can't see Liverpool NOT qualifying for the knock out stages though. It takes a shock performance sometimes to get things sorted out.

People made fun of our draw with Rosenborg, but I would take that one point anyday over no points at all, as would you lot tonight I guess.

Things will work out in the CL for 'pool in the long run I should think. Stay positive.:)

http://www.liverpoolfc.nu/images/tattoo/5C901EF9-8901-4DBA-9A8B-CC11883C61BB.jpg



That is fucking awesome.

I think Liverpool just need to focus. Something is definitely going pear shaped and I aint talking about Rafa's bum.

You are 3rd in the table with plenty of games to go. I can't see Liverpool NOT qualifying for the knock out stages though. It takes a shock performance sometimes to get things sorted out.

People made fun of our draw with Rosenborg, but I would take that one point anyday over no points at all, as would you lot tonight I guess.

Things will work out in the CL for 'pool in the long run I should think. Stay positive.:)

Thanks, master. Are you going to make kits in the Ocho????????

But, really, if there wasn't from that superb goal of Valbuena, there will be a nil tie last night. That wasn't a excuse for the awful performance from last games. At first I though the lads were focusing on league performance instead of Europe this season. Now, I don't know what to think.

I hope the lads regain their form and make an awesome performance this Sunday against Spurs. And take the 3 points against Besiktas. But, now, there's something happening at Anfield...........

We're bottling it again, we're bottling it again, la la la la...

2-2 against Spurs... On itself, it isn't that bad, but we're getting behind in the league, which shouldn't happen with the squad we have. We have a team capable of winning the league, or at the very least challenge for it until the closing rounds.

I do believe we will qualify for the next round in the CL, but really, if we concentrated on the league, I wouldn't give a damn if we were knocked out in the group stage.

We just have to put the best we have from now on, instead of that stupid tinkering Rafa does. Ok, he's an world class manager but just pick out your best eleven and rest your best players when there's need for it. And given the circumstances, one point is better than zero, but how many games Spurs won this season? Instead of taking our opportunity and beating an off-form team, no, we recover them.

The lads and the coach need to get their act together before we're not contending for anything by January.

We need to take this in perspective though. Over the last few years our starts to seasons have been a lot worse than this and we've done really well over the last 2/3rds. I'm not worried at the moment, but I'll feel an awful lot better when Agger is back. Unfortunately, I don't think Sami is good enough to cope with top strikers ala Keane and Berbatov anymore. I think Rafa must be kicking himself for not bringing in CB cover in the summer.

Sami cant keep up with the pace of his man anymore. Our start is better but still, we're playing dissapointing football at the moment, that's what worries me.

Yeah, we're missing Agger.

And Xabi for that matter.

Worrying news about Torres today, picked up a slight muscle tear with Spain, could be out for up to 10 days. So may well not make the derby :( , I'm sure we'll finish the bitters off without him though, Crouch should be good enough for that.

Yeah,that was really bad :(

ha ha everton just got ripped off big style! stone wall pen! but care

what a save from phil neville though! lmao

lucky bastards! that's got to be the biggest mistake by a ref this century!
:confused:

wow, Liverpool got off lucky there.... but at times Everton were quite lucky too

nice to see Lucas taking a part in a Merseyside derby, and in Gerrard's place! I can't judge his performance, but it seems like he had a decent match. Set Voronin up nicely, then shot for Neville to save...

We Tescobagged 'em!

Rob Styles :-(

Everton could've had that, Liverpool are lucky lucky lucky but all the big four won this weekend anyways.

We were crap again against Besiktas... FFS, Bobo scored against us. Bobô. Enough said....

Comeuppance from the Everton game possible? :P

Getting scored by Bobo is like a shameful thing all of our defence will carry for the rest of their lives. An absolute donkey of a player. And what's up with Hyppia? If yer going to bag'em, bag'em for us god damnit!

Hyypia is our most consistent goal scorer, and the only in form player now... ah well, if we manage to win all the next 3 CL matches, we MIGHT be in with a chance to scrape through the group stage... It is possible, though... home match against Porto and Besiktas, away to Marseille....

I'd still prefer it if we concentrated on the league IF I knew we'd do decently at it. Right now, I think it's better to be involved in as many competitions as we can. Which is quite sad.

What's up with Sami? He's usually very solid, I doubt he has scored more than 2 own goals before this week.

the last own goal scored by Sami though was a very unlucky one.

Sami's been tosh for a while now though, age is catching up with him. We're missing Agger big time.

If we win the last three we're almost certainly through by the way, technically we could win two, draw one and maybe still go through then. It's all gonna come down to whether we can beat Marseille in France because, really, we don't deserve to go through if we can't beat Besiktas and, dare i say it, Porto at home.

It's not too bad at the minute, but we need three very good performances in a row now, obviously. Still, i'm not looking forward to this weekend.

Liverpool's defence players are bad this season. Liverpool is only luck team. (And they have 2 metres giant Crouch :))

Yay! Harry is back :D:D :alex:

Agger is needed...Hyypia isn;'t what he was two years ago. It was just after the win in 2005 that people were saying that the #1 priority was winning the EPL. This team has to be built for ONE FOR SURE and maybe another but not FOR BOTH. Rafa would prefer the CL (and it's more realistic) but I think most would prefer the EPL. Personally, with a team like Bayern in the UEFA Cup, I wouldn't have a problem competing there.....Boro got to the final just a year and a half ago. Better chance to focus on the league and, ON PAPER, weaker opposition would mean more chance to rest some burnt out players...a certain captain comes to mind.

a certain captain comes to mind

Oh! Can I guess who!? I love these games :D :p

Disappointing draw today, only really tried to win the game in the last 20mins, which isn't the right attitude if you want to be competing for the title imo. Kewell looked useless when he came on, Kuyt can't finish for love nor money as usual and the main man the Blackburn defence had trouble with, Crouch, only got the last 20mins.
2 points dropped yet again.

Do any of you actually rate Voronin? I think he is horrible, im watching the game vs Besiktas, and he is crap.

So benayoun has been in the right spot 3 times for easy tap ins, nice. Liverpool are dominating.

69' Liverpool 5 - 0 Besiktas.. Liverpool's fans will be adore to Benayoun :)

oh my 6-0. Babel with a back heel goal, amazing.

7-0..what a goal :D

Babel made it 7-0, and it could have so nearly been 8-0 just then!!

This is getting funny...8-0 :D

Wow, Crouch makes it 8-0, could be on for a "Crystal Palace" here (H)!

Jesus Christ :|

I'm not fan of Besiktas now :D Holy crap

Holy sh*tt..

Comedy (H)

Wow, full on anal prison rape.

A banner in Besiktas' stadium; "They'll never walk again." Who can be walk again Besiktas or Liverpool? :)

How can we score 8 against them now and have Bobo score a winner against us in Istanbul?

Well done liverpool. The record is yours now.

Haha comedy :D
8eşiktaş :D

Geez, I stopped watching at 5-0. I figured they were just gonna pass back and forth with Gerrard and Vornin subbed out. I guess not. What an ass kicking.

It's all fine and good but IT MEANS NOTHING....all that is needed are wins. There;s no use of setting a record if you lose the next one 3-2 and get ELIMINATED in the process....I hope Porto doesn;t scare Benitez back into a hole.

That is very true, but for now just enjoy the feeling of Now Owning a turkish team.

Turks (H)
There is something about them. :D

Lol, nice bashing. And congratulations to Sami for his 100th Euro match.

11 goals in 13 Champions League appearances for Crouch. I thought everyone said he was rubbish.

11 goals in 13 Champions League appearances for Crouch. I thought everyone said he was rubbish.

In the league, he isn't too good, but in the Champions' League, he pwnz! :D

Crouch is so much better than that ugly dutchman it's not even funny.

Great win and i smell we will be in the top again :rockman:

Late goals win it. For all tthe problems we're still only 3 back.....that should not lead to false confidence because today's scoreline was a bit flattering.

We just need Fernando Torres. World Class.

Newcastle - Liverpool Short highlights (http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/112264)

Great result in a tough place to play. Well, after that break, its time to prepare for a tough stretch run now.....this will determine if this team can contend for the title this year.....and apparently, it may just ALSO determine the future of one Rafael Benitez.