Reserve Lost At Fratton Park

28 April 2007 Portsmouth 2-1 Liverpool - EPL

BBC - Reds keeper Jerzy Dudek's misjudgement allowed Benjani Mwaruwari to chip over him and nod in for Pompey's opener. Niko Kranjcar chested down a long ball and finished with aplomb as Pompey went further ahead before Boudewijn Zenden's shot hit the crossbar for Liverpool. Sami Hyypia headed in as the Reds fought back but some stubborn defending helped Pompey to victory.

FA Youth Cup Won At Mancs' Backyard

Liverpoolfc.tv - The under-18s lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Manchester United in their own backyard on Thursday night. Steve Heighway's youngsters, who lost the Anfield leg 2-1 last week, took the game to spot kicks following a deserved 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. Centre-back Robbie Threlfall, who scored an own goal which let United back into the first leg 10 days ago, went from zero to hero by netting the only goal in normal time and a decisive penalty.

What a comeback! But I would be sick if Man U won it because they got too lucky in the first leg. (an own goal and a penalty??) We definitely were the better side during two legs. Some players just looked so talented and they got potential to break into the first team. Raymond Putterill and Craig Lindfield stood out to me. Well done, young lads! Now we hope our first team can do the same to turn around the first leg result next Tuesday.

Liverpoolfc.tv - Steve Heighway has declared Liverpool's class of 2007 the best youth side he's ever worked with. The departing Academy boss, who officially announced his retirement at Old Trafford last night, has nurtured the likes of Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher through the ranks.

Highway: "I think this is the best bunch of boys I've ever worked with. That's the 16th consecutive match we've played in knockout football. You only have to lose one and you're gone, so to do what they've done is just fantastic."

You Knew It When You Saw Startinig 11

25 Apr 2007 Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool - CL semi-final lst leg

BBC - Joe Cole's first-half goal gave Chelsea a narrow victory in their Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Cole slid in Didier Drogba's cross after 29 minutes to give Jose Mourinho's side the upper hand. Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina produced two brilliant saves from Frank Lampard to keep the tie in the balance. Petr Cech denied Liverpool an away goal with a stunning second-half stop from Steven Gerrard's long-range volley.

So......
1. Bellamy? If I remember right, he hasn't played much recently?
2. Zenden??? Has he really performed since he came to Liverpool? And put him on in this kind of game?
3. Gerrard on the right? Where's the on-form Pennant? Mascherano and Alonso in the middle is fine. Then why not move Gerrard upfront to support Kuyt or Crouchy?
4. Can't complain about playing Arbeloa on the right-back since Finnan is out with injury. However, Arbeloa's performance tonight just prove that we miss StevieF there.

Well..maybe everything could be sorted out if Finnan was fit, because Rafa would probably play Arbeloa on the left-back and push Riise forward. But since Finnan was out, he could only choose from Zenden and Gonzalez. Watching Gonzalez played full 90 minutes last Saturday against Wigan, I don't think he would make big differences tonight. Zenden on the other hand is better in defence and got more experiences. Having thought about that, I think I can understand why Rafa started him, though I still think he's not good enough. We certainly miss players like Garcia, Kewell and Aurelio, don't we?

I would love to see Pennant starts next week, with Gerrard either in the centre of midfield or supporting lone striker which Crouchy should be given the chance. Riise on the left wing, with Finnan back in the squad and Arbeloa on the left-back. Well...I believe we need something special because Chelsea is hard to break down. I can't share the comments that fans saying they're not worried at all. I do. I'm worried and nervous. I want to prepare myself that Liverpool could be knocked out next week, though I know it's only half time and we're still alive in the tie. The disappointment of losing the first leg just hit me so badly because I was too confident and because I was expecting a result like we had in Nou Camp. Now that if we're on the way to Athens, it would be a bonus to me, and if we don't, well at least I've already prepared for it. With the Kop behind us at Anfield, I do believe we have chances to go through. Gerrard could be the key man again, but as long as he got supports from other players on the pitch. All the best, my mighty Reds.

Stevie: "The mood wasn't downbeat in the dressing room after the game. It's still game on. If we score first at Anfield, we could be in for a very good second leg. I think Chelsea were happy with the result, but I think they will still show us a lot of respect in the second leg. They know the tie isn't over yet and they've witnessed the atmosphere at Anfield before. They know that we're capable of beating them at Anfield - as we proved in the Premiership earlier this year. It's only half-time. We would have liked a better scoreline going back to Anfield but we're one down and we'll get on with it. We'll approach the game knowing that we need to score the first goal and we'll be ready for Tuesday night. We're confident we can hurt them a lot more at our place with the crowd behind us. We'll raise the tempo and the first 20 minutes will be really interesting next week. If any supporters can raise the roof, it's our supporters, so I think we could be in store for another memorable European night."

New Song To Learn

"Ooohhh Campione
The One And Only
We're Liverpool
They say our days are numbered we're not famous anymore
But Scousers rule the country like we've always done before"

The New Football Rules

[video]

Photo Of The Week

Shevchenko and his mate Lampard were spotted @Leeds coach station, heading to Old Trafford for the semi-final of FA Cup against Blackburn.

Couldn't help taking out my camera to catch this. 15.04.07 @Liverpool Lime St. Station

Daddy Dirk Double

21 Apr 2007 Liverpool 2-0 Wigan - EPL

BBC - Liverpool warmed up for the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea by beating Wigan to go four points clear of fourth-placed Arsenal. Still not sure of Premiership safety Wigan came to defend, but the strategy unravelled from the moment Dirk Kuyt scored with a backward header. The Dutchman extended Liverpool's lead on 68 minutes when he turned swiftly in the box to fire a shot past John Filan. Liverpool keeper Jose Reina then denied Caleb Folan with a superb save.



Good to see Pennant continues to play well on the right. Credits to him for the first cross! It was a better performance than the one aganist Boro. Glad to see them keep a good form before taking on Chelsea!

Captain Led Us To Win

18 Apr 2007 Liverpool 2-0 Middlesbrough - EPL

BBC - Gerrard brought some quality to the game following an instantly forgettable first half when he lashed in a low 25-yard strike after 58 minutes. Midfielder Gerrard coolly grabbed his second from the spot after Boro defender Andrew Davies was harshly penalised for a foul on Peter Crouch. Boro struggled to break down the Reds as the home side eased to victory.

18th Hillsborough Memorial Service

Alright, sorry about the delay, being lazy to post. I was at the 18th Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield this Sunday. (There is no need to explain what happened in Hillsborough 18 years ago I guess?) Anyway, it was a really moving memorial service. I have to confess that as I saw the information on the official site that there would be reading by Carragher and Dalglish, I thought why not go and maybe I can see some players. It was totally not the case as I walked into the ground.

The story begins with that I got lost outside Anfield...again. Well, since I live in Newcastle, it takes me 5 hours on the coach to Liverpool and I have to change at Leeds. Anyway, I was waiting at the wrong stand so I missed the coach. So I was one hour late arriving Liverpool than I original planed. Being a little bit panic, I got onto a bus that I wasn't sure if it stopped by Anfield, though the driver confirmed. What happened was I got off the bus with many Everton fans at Goodison Park! lol So I walked passed a lot of blue fans who were heading for the game against Charlton and after about 15-20 minutes I finally saw Anfield. Couldn't believe it was my forth time there, and I still got lost!!

Fortunately I was just in time for the service but the thing was people were already sitting on the seats and as I walked through the entry to the Kop. I was frightened. Jesus, it was so quiet and I saw Peter Crouch was just on the seat near the entry. I didn't stare at him because I just wanted to quickly find a seat to sit down at that point. It made me nervous standing in front of people. And that was it. The service began and I felt not right taking out my camera. People around me were weeping and I found it hard caring about whether I see players or not or if I take any photo when Carra was reading. I just felt moved, especially when people were singing You'll Never Walk Alone. You could feel power from that sound that people really sticked together to remember the 96 and how much they seek the justice as they chanted.

I'm not a scouser, not even English, but I'm a Liverpool FC supporter, just like those who lost their lives 18 years ago. I think that's enough. I was exhausted spendinig one hour at Anfield but the most rest of the day on the coach, but I'm so glad I was involved. 96 has gone but shall not be forgotten, and we'll never give up for the justice.

"One morning, before everyone was in, I went out on to the pitch and tied my children's teddy bears around a goalpost at the Kop end. The goals, the pitch and the whole Kop were covered in flowers, scarves and tributes. I remember describing it as the 'saddest and most beautiful sight' I had ever seen. It really was like that. It was sad because of the reason why the tributes were there, but it was magnificent to see them. On the Friday night, after everybody had gone, I walked through the Kop with Kelly, Paul and Marina's dad, Pat. Paul looked at all the tributes, the flowers, the scarves and said: 'Why did it have to happen to us?' Kelly, Paul and I stood at the back of the Kop with tears falling down our faces. Walking through the Kop was so emotional. A lot of tributes had been left by people in the place where their loved one had stood" ........Read more about how our legend Kenny Dalglish describes the memories of Hillsborough in his autobiography. (a must read!) Meanwhile, Liverpoolfc.tv has offered the clip of the entire 18th memorial service. If you care about it, have a look and spend a few minutes to remember our 96 sisters and brothers.

Finally with the recent massacre happened at Virginia Tech University, let us pray for the innocent lives that had lost. I got a mixed feeling after seeing the news because I just came back from the Hillsborough memorial service. On one hand people showing love and generosity to strangers but on the other hand, people being selfish killing innocent ones without reasons. I feel sad but I hope people would still believe in love and humanity. My thoughts go to families and may those who lost their lives RIP.

B-O-R-I-N-G...

14 Apr 2007 Man City 0-0 Liverpool - EPL

BBC - Manchester City's DaMarcus Beasley hit the crossbar as he came closest to breaking the deadlock in an uninspiring draw with Liverpool. Reds winger Jermaine Pennant had an early chance but his stabbed shot was saved by keeper Andreas Isaksson. City's best opening came when Beasley cut inside and saw his 75th-minute strike come back off the woodwork. The home side might have had a late penalty for a Jamie Carragher handball but their claims were waved away.

Photo Of The Week

(Liverpool vs PSV - CL quarter-final at Anfield)
Thank you Celtic fans! JUSTICE FOR THE 96! YNWA!

Annual memorial service will be held for the 18th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield this Sunday. Don't forget that one minute silence will be at 3:06 PM. And also, DON'T BUY THE SUN!

Through To Semis As Expected..

11 Apr 2007 Liverpool 1-0 PSV (agg 4-0) - CL quarter-final 2nd leg

BBC - The Reds led 3-0 from the first leg and PSV's lack of adventure meant their progression was never in doubt. Reds keeper Jose Reina did have to make two smart saves from Jefferson Farfan. But PSV had Dirk Marcellis sent off for a foul on Bolo Zenden before Crouch tapped in Robbie Fowler's cross to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory on the night.

I don't want to be picky...but, I couldn't hide my disappointment that we didn't score more tonight. And I would say it's something to do with Man Utd's 7-1 win yesterday. I saw someone on the streets today wearing Man Utd's shirt and I just thought...so what, we're going to beat PSV tonight with style! The only excuse I think of for tonight's performance is that..the lads didn't want to risk as they saw how Bellamy went down. But looking at PSV, you just couldn't help wondering..how the hell they knocked out Arsenal!? They were hopeless in two legs. Okay, Gerrard and Carra weren't playing tonight, but we still got a big squad with qualities like Crouchy, Fowler, Xabi, Pennant, Riise.. So why we couldn't deliver? With Chelsea coming next, I believe the fans want to see a big performance. I got some friends saying they're worried facing Chelsea. Who don't? Even those who say..'bring on Chelsea, we're going to do them again!' Anything can happen when you're in a bad day no matter who you are. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck to win football. So everyone should be worried, but what else can you do? Just believe in our players and Rafa and show our supports all the way. Come on you Reds!! "We had dreams and songs to sing..of the glory around the fields of Anfield road...."

WHAT THE HELL....

What's going on!?? What the hell was that????
Man Utd 7-1 Roma (agg 8-3)
Valencia 1-2 Chelsea (agg 2-3)

I couldn't even finished whatching the whole 90 minutes of Mancs. Were you guys sleeping or what Roma??? And as I turned off the TV just after the half time, I went back room and watched Valencia. What was going on?? You guys should be strong at home and things just went Chelski's way! I feel sorry for them honestly. Oh dear...it's a horrible night. Think about it, it may be an English final - Liverpool vs Mancs United. How boring!! Someone! AC Milan or Bayern Munich whoever, STOP THEM!!!

LFC Museum

Hey, wanna know what LFC Museum looks like? Thanks jeffyblfc for uploading this. It brought back my memories. Have a look if you never have chance to go there.


And here Stevie gives us a tour of LFC training ground. What's in his locker, and what his team mates and manager say about him? Enjoy!

Pennant and Kuyt Secured Three Points

7 Apr 2007 Reading 1-2 Liverpool - EPL

Sky Sports - Dirk Kuyt's late goal gave Liverpool a hard-fought 2-1 win over Reading in their first ever visit to The Madejski Stadium. The Dutchman popped up four minutes from time to grab the winner and end his goal drought after going eight games without a goal. a goal. Alvaro Arbeloa gave Liverpool a first-half lead with his first goal for the club, but Brynjar Gunnarsson drew Reading level early in the second half before Kuyt secured the points for Liverpool late on.



It's once again proved that starting Mascherano and Momo in the centre is a bad idea, isn't it. Momo had a terrible game today I think apart from a pass to Gerrard (or Kuyt?) around the box. It wan't a good performance for us but glad we got the whole three points. Two subs Kuyt and Pennant saved our day. By the way, Chelsea win, Man U and Arsenal both lost. What a results! I'm backing Chelsea to win the title this time, but European cup is still ours.

Unsung Hero Finnan

3 Apr 2007 PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Liverpool - CL quarter-final lst leg

BBC - Steven Gerrard thumped in a header from Steve Finnan's cross to put the Reds ahead and become Liverpool's leading scorer in European Cup competition. PSV were ripe for the taking and the Reds showed no mercy as John Arne Riise thundered in a long-range strike. Peter Crouch put the gloss on the win when he nodded in another Finnan cross.

Stevie: "There's still work to be done in this tie and we have to make sure we're professional at Anfield next week and finish the job off. There's still 90 minutes to play. If we do that then we can think about playing Chelsea or Valencia, but not yet. It was a good performance from us tonight. We were solid and hard to break down. Once we got the first goal we knew what we wanted to do and we did it well."

Crouchy: "The idea was not to concede and try to score an away goal. To score three was better than we'd planned for. To win 3-0 away anywhere in Europe is a great result and we're all delighted."



Anyone noticed that when Gerrard and Crouchy were interviewed after the game.... They both didn't shave beard!?? I guess that was a little superstition between the lads, huh? But it works anyway! Although not a perfect performance (a perfect results though) but it's enough to beat poor PSV. By the way, what happened to Aurelio?? What was that!? It's actually creepy to me because it was as if someone's behind him! Best wishes to him as you can see he was gutted. I think he cried on the stretcher.... Really unlucky, I just started to trust him a little bit more recently. Get well soon! And, unsung hero remains unsung.... two perfect crosses by Stevie Finnan today! Well done! Oh, before I forget to mention, does anyone like me think Kuyt was delibrately got booked in the added time?? Clever.

Stevie: "Everyone can see there's a big difference to how we're playing now compared to when we last played in Eindhoven. We were more inconsistent as a team when we met them last time and had a lot of big players who weren't on form. If you look at us now, all the big names are performing well, whether it's Carragher, Reina or Alonso. It's the same for me. I was really frustrated at the beginning of the season because I was lacking energy in my game and felt lethargic physically and mentally. But since Christmas I've been feeling everything coming back. I'm training better and hopefully peaking at the right time because there are so many big games around the corner. We're all getting those feelings again as we did two years ago, but we're also telling ourselves to slow down. There's still a lot of work to do before we can think about Athens."

Liverpoolfc.tv - Liverpool have today confirmed that Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his achilles tendon in Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.