The Devil and His Bulldog

Scene at Anfield?

So many of us got fumed. Chelsea were butchered by the Devil and this morning it's Wigan's turn to return home empty handed. It's only 2 points separating us and them with an extra game in hand.
Bloody hell and they will be top before Everton's visit next Tuesday morning.
Thought Bolton is just making up the numbers.

Now, the pressure is cranking up. While they were winning 1-0 in the last few weeks, we were dropping points like nobody business. Kuyt and Lucas are among the culprits last week, missing gilt edged chances against wily old fox Stoke. Thought the lads were brilliant one day and then turned into a 3 legged mouse a week or so later. DNA modifications?

Now, the dropped points against those lowly opponents at home will haunt the players and definitely us, poor castaways. Everton will provide answers whether the players can live up to the billing.
Let's just see if the answers will be right.

Going Potters Part 3

The picture says it all!

In all fairness, Stoke played well. Well enough to deny Liverpool a much needed win to stay clear of the chasing pack.
Their brand of football certainly not pleasing to the eyes but alas it worked. Liverpool were held again 0-0, enough to stay at the top but to us, it's frustrating.

Rafa fielded more or less the same 11 with the same formation who annihilated Newcastle but it did not work this time. Stoke were resolute in defending and even could have won the game with their set plays, their only form of attack.

Lucas and Benayoun were clearly rattled by the physicality of the match hence their ineffectiveness. Some of the tackles or body checks were indeed questionable but that's Stoke. Only the tough will persevere and even Masch was bullied in midfield.

For now, whatever happens tonight, we'll be on the top but for how long? If MU win all 3 extra games, they will lead by 1 point and that could be sooner than later.

The question is can they handle Chelsea tonight? They too need points badly.
My take, the game will end in a draw, maybe 1-1.

Going Potters Part 2

Attention! Park the bus at your own risk!

Amidst the hype surrounding the double derby clash, somehow Stoke is put on a back burner even by the Brits media. A case of lost hope for Stoke?

Like to think so but with the game to be played at their stadia, Stoke could be a potential head turner yet again despite their lowly position. Man U just scrapped through, helped by the sending off.

Okay, their football is sickening to watch, more like rugby than football but to a certain extent it worked. They had secured a draw at Anfield earlier, parking 3 buses in the process.
A repeat on the cards? Do not think so.

This time at their own backyard, surely they will open up and this is where Liverpool will capitalise. I've confidence that history will not be repeated with Gerrard-Torres partnership to make sure it'll be 6 points ahead by the time Man U entertain Chelsea.

Talking about putting pressure, both will kill each other and the game end up in a draw.
Wishful thinking folks?

Double Whammy

Who's afraid of a small club?

And the prize for beating Preston?

It's double header against bitter rival, the blue half of Mersey. It's Everton, my folks on Jan 24/25 at Anfield.

The best part is we'll have to face them on Jan 19 for the league reverse fixture. That's 2 home games against Everton in the space of 5 days. What a prospect? Cards galore, crunching tackles and surely some goals.
We never had it easy against them, do not expect these 2 games to be a walk in the park either.

This January is a busy month. Apart from these 2 games. we'll visit Wigan on Jan 27 and then Chelsea on 1st February (Hari Kuala Lumpur) at home.
Sure it will be a selection poser for Rafa to name his side for so many games within such a short space. He is the master, he'll do wonders I'm sure. The players too are on the ascendancy by the look of things.

On current form, Liverpool will stampede Everton just like what we did at Goodison Park earlier. No real concern. They are only a small club, aren't they?

Not So Keane

It was a right end after all. Not like some blue team which got stuck at the South.

There were highs and there were lows.
Thought fielding Gerrard was a masterstroke to help him overcoming non football matters and he was rampant befitting his status as Captain Fantastic. Liverpool toyed with Preston, continuing the same dominance over Bolton and Newcastle. Chances were aplenty but......

Keane missed all of them. Dunno what to make up of his performance. It's blowing hot and cold but the misses at the weekend were unbelievable. It's alright if it was saved by the keeper but he made no contact with the ball whatsoever. Total miskick.
He was not alone though in my bad book. Babel too played like shit for a player labeled as the next Titi Henry. More like Titi Camara, the Reds old flop.

And Torres was back, scored his 1st FA Cup goal courtesy of Gerrard of course. This is bad news for Keane, looks like he'll have to warm the bench more as the old partnership of Gerrard-Torres was rekindled.

Gerrard's pass to Torres was a masterpiece. DVD stuff. Like to see more of these in days to come.

Stoke, beware. We'll come to get you.

A Right End?

I grew up watching The Road to Wembley. I'm sure Khan too. Who can forget that unmistakable and catchy tune?
In the days of yore, that's the only decent live footy on telly besides Copa Mundial and the Euros.

Ohh Big League Soccer came earlier but aired a few weeks after the games were already played. Results known, goals highly anticipated by the purists.
No Premier League highlights and certainly no Nokia Football Crazy either.
Source of info would be The Malay Mail on Monday and it costs only RM0.50 then. A chunk of lunch budget gone to satisfy the other hunger.

That was then. This is now.

Tomorrow we'll visit Preston North End, a Championship side in the 3rd round. Championship? Yeah, they're in the same league as Barnsley which dumped us last year in injury time at Anfield of all places.

This is a potential banana skin. Playing at their territory, rapturous crowds rooting for team currently anchored at 7th in the Championship. Not bad huh? They're certainly not bad but this is FA Cup, everybody is gunning for an upset.

In the aftermath of Toon massacre, I dare not predict Rafa's team anymore. He is the Master, try to name his side at your peril. Chances are you'll be dumbfounded by his moves.
Pretty sure though there'll be rotation again. Maybe returning stars like Skrtel and Torres will be given playing time to regain match fitness. Maybe rested stars like Alonso and Keane too.

Rafa has the depth to tinker now but whoever is selected, hope they're up to the mark.
I do not want Premiership alone. I want Champions League. I want FA Cup as well. I grew up watching them. I want all of'em.

Time to be greedy.

Happy New Year 2009

To all friends, commenters and LFC fans out there, I wish you all a Happy New Year.

My only wish is to see LFC winning the Premiership after an 18 year hiatus. Is that too much to ask?