Perfect Crouchie Hat-trick!!!

31 Mar 2007 Liverpool 4-1 Arsenal - EPL

BBC - Peter Crouch's first hat-trick at club level saw Liverpool leap-frog Arsenal to go third in the Premiership. Crouch turned in Alvaro Arbeloa's cross to put Liverpool ahead after four minutes, then headed in from Fabio Aurelio's delivery in the 34th minute. Daniel Agger glanced in another brilliant Aurelio cross on the hour before William Gallas poked in from almost on the line for Arsenal. Crouch then made it a treble with a neat turn and finish after 80 minutes.

Right-footed, left-footed and a header! Crouchie's on fire!! Credits to our wingers today. It's been a long time to see we played that wide. Arobeloa, Aurelio, Pennant and Gonzalez all had a good game. We made Arsenal look really average. What a sweet win and revenge!! And well done to Agger! Brilliant stuff the Reds! Let's bring this form to Holland against PSV!!

Now You Know What Made Differences

28 Mar 2007 Andorra 0-3 England - Euro 2008 qualifier

BBC - Steven Gerrard spared England and coach Steve McClaren's blushes with a crucial double strike to break Andorra's resistance in the Euro 2008 qualifier - England were jeered off after a shameful first 45 minutes in Barcelona. But Gerrard broke the deadlock with a low 20-yard drive after 53 minutes, then slid home a neat finish with 15 minutes left in an ill-tempered clash. Debutant David Nugent scored in the last minute after Jermain Defoe saw a shot saved by keeper Koldo Alvarez.

Drop Lampard, Play Gerrard In The Centre

24 Mar 2007 Israel 0-0 England - Euro 2008 qualifier

BBC - Steve McClaren's side drew a blank once more, and it was another lifeless performance from England. Israel keeper Dudu Aouate twice saved well from Frank Lampard, with Jamie Carragher heading against the bar and Andrew Johnson just off target. Teenage striker Toto Tamuz posed a threat for Israel, forcing Paul Robinson into a save and heading wide. It was hardly surprising that some of the 4,000 England fans in the stadium chanted 'What a load of rubbish' in the closing stages of the bore draw.

If you want Gerrard to do what he does for Liverpool for England, build a team around him. If you want to play him on the right, give him the ball there! For the first 30 minutes of the game, how many times Gerrard got the ball on the right?? Phil Neville, damn Phil Neville never ever passes the ball to Gerrard. Seriously, I've been watching him! Why Lennon made impact in the first half? Because Carragher was helping him, and that's a full-back should do! You need to play wide and Gerrard couldn't get the ball on the right! Him and Neville were not working together! And after 30 minutes you saw Gerrard moving to the centre a lot to get the ball, and produced many great crosses or passes from everywhere of the pitch. I'm saying this not because I'm a Liverpool fan. But it's obvious, that's how it works the best for him, a free role! That's why McClaren put Richards on for Neville. Gerrard was given a free role and we need a right-back can go forward more to strength the right midfield. But is it the best way? Why not drop Lampard and play Gerrard in the centre in the first place?? And then we can play Lennon on the right where he has done a great job for spurs!

What's England now lack is a key man I think. Look at those players! Lampard is a key for Chelsea's attack, as Gerrard for Liverpool. No need to say what Johnson and Rooney mean for their clubs. But who is the key man when you think of England? You'll probably say, well..England...great team, they got Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Terry.......all good players. Right, no one stands out. That's the problem! When I look at England recently, it's like players are waiting! Waiting for someone to perform! No one stand up and give it a go! The team needs a player that leads the lads and build a team around him! Rooney could be the man, but he's not playing well at the moment. Terry is the captain but he's a defender, the imapct he can bring to attack is limited. Lampard haven't really performed for England yet. Though it is probably biased as I'm Liverpool fan, but Gerrard is the man for me to be England's key player.

On the other hand, I'm glad Carragher did well today. As said before the game, in Kenny Dalglish's column of this week's LFC magazine, 'He is a vital player for Liverpool and could be for England. Wherever he plays he is always going to do a job and will never let you down.' He almost scored today by the way, apart from hitting the bar.


BBC - Graham Taylor on England
"At the final whistle, some of the England players walked towards their supporters because if they had not they would have been criticised. But the players quickly realised it was pointless because they were going to be met by a shower of abuse. They turned and walked away with their heads down and you would have thought they had lost 3-0 or 4-0 the way they walked off.
The reaction from the England fans was what you would expect. It was very disappointing and I am very surprised at the way England have approached the game. Generally speaking there has been a lack of oomph, of get-up-and-go. There has been a lack of sharpness of passing and the desire to get hold of the game by the scruff of the neck. It has just not been there. They didn't have the pace, they didn't have the power and they didn't get hold of the game from the very first minute. Things were obviously said at half-time and they were able to dominate more of the second half against a tiring Israeli side, but they never really opened up the Israel team and they never created sufficient chances.
The only one I would excuse is Steven Gerrard because I think he tried to make the best of the role he was given and was involved with England's best passing moments. Anything worthwhile from England, Gerrard was involved in most of it. But the performance generally has been very poor. It's a nil-nil draw but a very, very disappointing performance."

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Look at what Lampard said after the game...
Lampard: "We have the players to get it right. We have got strikers, we have goals from all over the team. All you can do is keep your head down and hope they come."

See, I told you! They're waiting!!! This is not the attitude the fans want! You've got to stand up and say I WILL score for England, I WILL save England! Try that on the pitch and prove people you can take the responsibility. You damn Frank Lampard scored 21 goals this season for Chelsea remember? I would say the same thing though Gerrard was the only player tried so hard, but be more selfish Stevie. They rely on you and the fans need you!

Boring 90 Minutes

18 Mar 2007 Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool - EPL

BBC - Aston Villa and Liverpool fought out a dull deadlock in a defence-dominated encounter at Villa Park. Villa, though, were left feeling sore at referee Lee Mason's refusal to give a penalty when Stilian Petrov had his heel clipped in the box.
In a game of few chances, Liverpool substitute Robbie Fowler saw a header saved by Thomas Sorensen late on.

Erm...poor game wasn't it. Pennant and Fowler should have came on earlier. And starting Mascherano and Sissoko in the centre of midfield was a strange one. Players looked a little bit lazy. Would it be better if we still in the FA Cup that kept us busy and concentrated? Like Rafa said, the only positive was one point. Both Bolton and Arsenal lost this week which seem to make one point 'acceptable'. No way, I say, Liverpool have to keep wining! The performance today turned out to be worrying. I'd rather to see us creating chances. Arsenal next. Well..I didn't get the ticket of that game. The online system kept busy when it started to work and within hours it was sold out. Not a chance for me. Anyway, before that, Euro 2008 qualifiers will take place. Good luck to two scousers Stevie and Jamie in England shirts and other international players!

I NEED YOUR HELP!

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Click to do the survey
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Up Against PSV

Erm...wouldn't say it's an easy draw. But shouldn't it be like Chelsea or Milan that people would write us off all the way, and then we beat all the odds again to win the title?? I hate playing against underdogs, you know what I mean? That reminds of me Benfica last season, which is still hurting. Chelsea against Valencia should be a good one. Valencia is quite strong at the moment I think, and I'm not sure which I prefer to play against in the semi - whether Chelsea or Valencia. Anyway, bring on PSV, it would be another two wonderful European football nights! Come on you Reds!

My Heroes!

Here is our underrated, always unsung hero Stevie Finnan!! And.......

We all dream of a team of Carraghers
A team of Carraghers
A team of Carraghers
Number one is Carragher
Number two is Carragher
Number three is Carragher
Number four is Carragher

We all dream of a team of Carraghers
A team of Carraghers
A team of Carraghers....

But think about this, it's horrible to have a team of Carraghers to be honest...i) It would be noisy because they would keep talking all the time. ii) It would be bloody goaless!! lol

And of course, credits to our big boss! He got his tactics spot-on this time! (look at those fans in Barcelona for the 1st leg, aren't they just amazing? And I love the song a lot!)

Bye-bye Barca - We're Through!!!!!

6 Mar 2007 Liverpool 0-1 Barcelona (agg 2-2) - CL last 16 2nd leg

BBC - Eidur Gudjohnsen's late goal left Liverpool hanging on against Barcelona before reaching the last eight of the Champions League on away goals. The former Chelsea star rounded Pepe Reina after 75 minutes to leave Liverpool, who had dominated, living on their nerves in the closing stages. John Arne Riise and Momo Sissoko both struck the bar as Liverpool left Barcelona's stars in the shade. Ronaldinho hit a post, but Liverpool deserved to reach the quarter-final.

Carra: "The club's got a great history in Europe but besides winning finals this is probably the biggest result in Europe we've ever had. Barcelona are the best club side in the world, even though we've knocked them out. We were hanging on - with 10-12 minutes to go we were just praying for the whistle. We didn't realise until a few seconds after the blew it that he had - we got there in the end."

Stevie: "We were unlucky not to go in at half-time ahead. Barcelona are so good going forward, they play such nice football, but we stuck in there and are in the last eight now. We've got great spirit, grit and determination - people were throwing bodies about and that's one of the reasons we're through. It gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs."

Stevie on Carra: "Over the two legs, Carra has been phenomenal. Maybe there are a few outside Liverpool who are surprised by how good he's been, but it's no surprise to me or anyone else who has seen him just get better and better every season. I look around at the defenders across Europe and the rest of the world, and I really don't see anyone who's better than him. I definitely wouldn't swap him for anyone. I also know the England manager was in the crowd last night, and after seeing a performance like that, it's going to make his next team selection very interesting. But as well as Carra, I think all the lads deserve credit for the way we got through. Daniel Agger is an unbelievable talent for his age, Steve Finnan was magnificent in both games and Alvaro Arbeloa has come into the side and done a great job straight away."

Stevie on Rafa: "We all have total respect and confidence in Rafa Benitez. He has shown he is one of the best managers in the world, and he shows it with the tactics he uses in Europe. We always trust him to get it right, and he did it again this time. We feel we've put a marker down. We've beaten the best team in Europe over two legs."

Xabi: "We have to take it step by step and be realistic. In the quarter-finals we are going to meet a tough team and we don't want to look too far. We have respect for all the teams, but we are not scared of anyone."

Bellamy: "It was an amazing occasion and the biggest night of my life. It was incredible when you consider the tempo and everything about the match. I have never experienced a game at this level. It is all about team spirit. When you come to a club like Liverpool, with what they have won like the European Cup the season before and then the FA Cup, it is all about spirit. There is always a great team spirit anyway. But when you arrive and mix with these players, you know it is a family club. You come in and you are all together. Against a team like Barcelona everyone has to contribute and that is what has happened. Over two legs usually the best team goes through and we were the best team. Did we prove people wrong? It wasn't an issue, not many of the critics get it right anyway."

Rafa: "I am really proud of the players and the supporters. They were amazing. We always have the best supporters in the world and tonight they were almost perfect."

I was in the same bar I went to for the 1st leg, and the Liverpool fans there were still brilliant - even better this time. It felt like Kop End in Anfield! People were so together! In the end when they were hugging each other, singing You'll Never Walk Alone, I sat down and listened to them. I wanted to sing with them, but I just couldn't bring myself together. I have never heard something like that! It's hard to describe the feeling with words. I said to myself, it's not yet final, don't cry, not here! It's actually quite strange because I'm not even a Scouser, and I've just known Liverpool for less than 3 years!! I really have no answer of this, but one thing is for sure, I love to be with Reds. I love it! Players are talking about spirit in the team. I tell you what, there's also spirit between fans - an invisible power was there to bring us together. It's something more than just Merseypride - that can explain why someone like me can be moved so much. I believe it's this kind of spirit either between players or between fans, and plus the special relationship between players and fans that made Liverpool football club so successful in history.

You Fucking Lucky Mancs!!

3 Mar 2007 Liverpool 0-1 Man Utd - EPL

BBC - Manchester United rode their luck to snatch a fortunate victory and take a giant stride towards the title with John O'Shea's injury-time winner - United lost Wayne Rooney through injury and saw Paul Scholes sent off late on for a clash with Xabi Alonso as Liverpool dominated for long spells. But substitute O'Shea pounced after Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fumbled Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick. Edwin van der Sar had earlier saved brilliantly from Peter Crouch.

Sorry about swearing...couldn't help it. How can we lose like that?? We were brilliant throughout the game!! Is it just another old story about our season - controlled everything, creating chances but couldn't put the ball in the net? Oh come on, we didn't deserve this - we were all over them! Tell me, how many times they shot on goal huh? God, I'm so gutted!!
Keep your heads up lads and fans! We'll fight back! I don't believe that if we keep playing like that, we end up nothing. Bring on Barca! We're still strong in Europe.

And this...just summed up Cristiano Ronaldo as a person. Disgusting, you bastard! That's totally unneccessary.

This Is Anfield - Tour

This Tuesday I took a trip to Liverpool again, and on Wednesday we joined the Museum & Stadium tours at Anfield. First of all, the dressing room is smaller than people thought, and the tour guide explained to us that it's Bill Shankly wanted it to be basic. And the order of the shirts hung up is according to players' positions, so that they can communicate better with the lads playing alongside them before the game. Fair enough. Walking out of dressing room, it came to where players being interviewed by the press. It's actually just two walls printed some logos of sponsors, not even a room. Next to it is the famous This Is Anfield sign leading the way to the pitch. Imagine that the lads lining up there, listening to the thousands of buzzing fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone, and then take a deep breath, touch the sign and go out there to have a fight! The guide said Bill Shankly worte in his book that any Liverpool players who didn't touch the sign when he went out, he wouldn't score at Anfield. This sign is not only for our players but also for our rivals. It won't be like 'Welcome To Anfield' to them, it says 'This Is Anfield'. Shame that I couldn't reach the sign or I defintely would take a picture of me touching it.

We headed to the ground and sat at where Rafa and other coach staff and subs sit watching the game. There's just a aisle between home and away teams, and not like other stadiums, we don't have roof on the seats. The guide showed us where the exexutive boxes is and that's also where injuried players would be seated - and where Harry Kewell has a season ticket. (lol This really made me laugh, I love that guide) After the stadium tour, the museum came next.

I've just watching Liverpool for less than 3 years, and before that I knew nothing about football. But I've been reading and learning those history about Liverpool football club, and Gerrard's book was very useful. The museum is also samller than I have expected, but I love the small room showing our Instanbul night clips. I sat there watching the Sky One programme 'One Night In May', though I've watched it many times before on YouTube, I still moved to tears in the end. The room was decorated with some famous banners that night, and surrounded by those you just couldn't help recalling that night and felt so proud and glad to be involved. Thought of how this made you on top of the world that day and how this made you believe, made you dream. People still talk about it, and I believe they will for years and years.

Photos of that tour were uploaded to my album as usual. Hope you enjoy it, for those who want but can't make it there. I won't take anything for granted, and I know how lucky I'm, honestly. I got too many people to thanks for. This time, big thanks to Thom who let us stay overnight at his sister's place and took us to the tour. I did enjoy the stay there!

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