Not good 'nuff

Rafa's under-firing superstars against a team they should in order to get all 3 points gave doubts to their title contending credentials. Are they good enough or they just need more work? In my opinion, in theory, Liverpool with Man United have the most exciting lineup this season with Torres, Ryan Babel, and the rest of the new arrivals, but strangely they have not been performing to get 3 points where it matters. The question everyone is asking why?

Aside from Rafa's frustration and vibes, i believe to a certain extent, squad rotation has to be blamed. While the core of the squad must be conditioned to each other, having squad rotation of their players especially midfielders and strikers could probably backfire. I believe with the creative width of the winger and the improving Pennant, i believe Liverpool could bag a trophy or two this season; As for the title, they need to pick up 3 points easily and not give away games like this one.

No more stan

Seeing how Liverpool conceded a goal to Newcastle, reminded me that the Reds will lose this game. While many would remind me that Liverpool have the meanest defence in the Premier League, did not dissuade me to give a thumbs down in their effort at Tyneside. It was a disaster of which we have no Stan Collymore to inspire us to another 4-3 rout of Newcastle, but to see how Rafa's men added another loss to their impressive away form to tally for the worst performing team playing away from home. I doubt Liverpool have much to achieve this season with probably 4th position to look out for; after all, it is another disappointing season; makes me wonder how long can Rafa stay as a manager for Liverpool

Liverpool entered into the new era

Liverpool have entered into a new era - era of dollars and cent, where they have officially join the rich club status after the takeover of the club by Gillet and Hicks for £470 million.

The difference between Liverpool and Man United, there won't be any debt tied to the club. And the owners have promised a new stadium, rejecting any proposal for ground sharing, and most important, giving no ceiling to Rafa's budget in getting the players he want. This sounds good, but it remains to be seen if they are true to their promise.

Mascherano

Mascherano - West Ham and Argentina midfielder. Can he be the answer to a disappointing Liverpool season? I doubt it. The problem doesn't lie with the midfielder but most important the tactical mistakes of Rafa, our disappointing defenders, and our goalshy strikers. Liverpool need if they did get the money that was promised, to get quality strikers and defenders and perhaps a good keeper to keep Reina in check.

A surprise takeover by the American

The truth about the football clubs becoming the rich man's toy is sealed with a complete turnover from a possible takeover of Liverpool by DIC to the American sports enthusiasts Gillet. Rafa will be handled £150 million to spend, and will elevate Liverpool to the rich clubs list and clearing the debt of £70 million plus the new stadium took Liverpool to the next level. Many however, are concerned what this will mean for a football club such as Liverpool in future. Liverpool were a club for the fans, by the fans and with the fans since Shankly took over, it is built on a tradition of excellence because the club's proud association with the fans. Will this new money play compromise the club's relationship with its fans?

£128 million move for the Becks!

Beckham will move to America in the biggest transfer since these english started kicking the ball around for £128 million, and yes, that's about S$250 million, and yes, that's about a Quarter Billion dollar for a 31-year old over the hyped player who might be a good player once, but now he is more of an icon than a football player like Gerrard, Lampard, or even the Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho! While the world looks to Mourinho for the biggest coup and we missed out this piece of news, expecting Becks to return to England to play for Southend and end his career fashionably by being another Vinny Jones turned Hollywood actor or just be another Sean Connery representing England in the Fashion and Entertainment world together with his Posh. Come on, just say, I am here in America because they pay me so damn much, it is not about being able to play Football, and what... America? The heaven for retiring players besides Dubai.

Liverpool crashed out of two cup competitions in 5 days

Liverpool FC crashed out of two cup competitions in mere 4 days - Sat: FA Cup, Tue: Carling Cup, in an absolutely unimpressive fashion at Anfield.

While the fans and the club are still reeling over the defeat on Saturday, Rafa choose to play a formation that gave Arsenal the superiority in the midfield which leads to a riot scoring run by the brilliant Brazilian - Julio Baptista. Never has any single player in history except Michael Thomas that destroyed the Liverpool players and their confidence in our backyard. Not that i detest Arsenal, in fact, they are my second favourite team but the Reds at home with a horrible lineup from Rafa just spell trouble for this season with only Champions League to play. I do not have much confidence in Rafa's ability and in the players' commitment to excellence anymore, too much hope is pinned on this Rafa revolution but it is just a hype after all. Any good team must carry themselves forward with consistencies and at least some dignity not to drop 6 goals behind. Jerzey Dudek is again terrible, once again at least Rafa is right to drop this Polish keeper to the second choice at Anfield.

Liverpool in Red against the Gunners

Liverpool gone down to a 3-1 defeat by the Gunners at Anfield. Alas, once the formidable fortress of Anfield is now reduced to a pitiful sigh by the faithful Liverpool fans around the world, seeing their sacred ground defiled by equally pitiful performance and of course, another Spanish Fly experiment of Rafa, makes me wonder, is this a team truly capable of challenging for the title? Forget about the FA Cup, and English Premier League where the away form remains as one of the worst in the League and we are facing none other the defending champion of the Europe's toughest competition the Champions League - Barcelona FC.

I dread to see Liverpool in action every time on TV, they are erratic and unimpressive, and so far, we saw a short resurgent of brilliance but only to see it sizzled away under the Gunners' attack. Trying not to be a doomsday prophet, I can only predict Rafa preparing for the next season than to really put any hope into this current one. If only the takeover took place last season, we would have a more concrete rock for our hope to be anchored on.

Reds firing victory into 2007

Dirk Kuyt was voted "Man of the Match" against Bolton on the 1st Jan. I remember my initial skepticism about this Dutch coming to Liverpool was a bad move after his unimpressive World Cup 2006 campaign, however I am glad i was wrong. Dirk Kuyt has proved to be the better striker among Fowler, Crouch, and Bellamy at the moment and has become one of the most important player in Rafa's lineup. He worked his socks out for Liverpool against Bolton by providing a goal for Gerrard and scoring one himself in the closing minutes. Kuyt is slowly becoming my player of the season so far while Alonso, Carragher and Gerrard are still disappointing in their performance so far in this season.

Reds in red

Watched in disgust the draw against Portsmouth at home, is all but spell an end to Liverpool's season and firmly anchored it to another year of mediocrity. Rafa's experiment in squad rotation is a disaster to the club's fortune this season, while there are virtues in squad rotation policy, it is to be weighed that such, we must continue to perform, not insisting on squad rotation and let our performance suffer. Rafa must bear the blunt of the blame while his players too, including Gerrard, must be questioned on their performance and attitude on the field. The players have let themselves, the club, and their supporters down so far. Unless they pick up in the next few games, i can see Liverpool not in Europe next season and Gerrard leaving Liverpool real soon.

Agger got Carragher's approval

Has the Danish wonder finally come of age? There are two things we know this season.

The Liverpool former defensive prowess held by Carragher and Hyypia is aging. With age, the defenders are slower. One of the main reasons for Liverpool's so far disappointing season is due to the slow and sluggish defenders. Agger stepped into the shoe of what is required of faster, stronger defensive fill in fast.

Second, although Agger was given a chance to perform where many wasn't such as Cheyrou, Welsh, Mellor and others, Agger took his chance and impressed with several games and this Danish wonderkid not only defend with his brain, he can thunder off a shot which so far, Hyypia and Carragher are not able to do so. This adds to his credential as an abled defender who knows how to order his quick feet and making it count, and making his presence count in the team.

Finally, with the seal of approval from Carragher about this young man, there is a growing confidence about this man's game. He can fit in, and he could grow from strength to strength as he improves his game slowly under Benitez and the coaching staff and yet be another Argentine legend Ayala. I could only hope to see him improve if he can only keep himself out of injury as we have seen so many sizzled out when their star has just began to shine.

Craig Bellamy in trouble again

Craig Bellamy is in trouble again for attempting to cause grevious personal hurt to a girl by grabbing her throat at a night club. The trial is expected to last for five days. (Source: Skynews)

I wonder when will any players linked to Liverpool stay away from making sensational news outside the football field; We had the spice boys and not too recent, Diouf the spitter, and now Craig Bellamy the woman basher. Even if Craig Bellamy is innocent, the stigma of it will stay with him and to his reputation and that will translate to an indifference in treatment on the field by his fellow players and referees. When is this going to stop and be responsible in the lifestyle and habit? Sigh. Total disappointment.

Pool on hold at Boro

Liverpool struggle at away games yet again. The form of the Liverpool squad leaves one wondering what went wrong?

The optimism from the memorable victory at the Champions League victory is all but gone after another disastrous season, and this time, it is not even half way the season, but we have destroyed every chances of packing in the group after the title, and someone must take the blame. Who? Who else but Rafa Benitez.

Rafa like Houllier before him, achieved something for the club, but cannot bring it into consistency for the club. Bad decision in team selection, poor transfer decision and policy, illogical decision on tactics have been the main downfall for both managers. While i support foreign managers who have brought in valuable ideas and training methods, we need an all-english manager. One of the main reasons why Shankly, Paisley, and Dalglish succeeded because they are english! One who understood the english game as an english does, and that makes english football different!

With the stronger competition in Chelski, West Ham, Aston Villa, who all had money injected, Liverpool with its increasing debt, cannot afford bad transfer decision anymore. Pennant, Bellamy, Gonzalez have all so far, disastrous. Not forgetting Crouch, whom Rafa has consistently put faith in, but with little or no impact on our goals upfront.

It is another season in the rubbish dump, and will look forward to next season with little or no enthusiasm, because with Rafa's continued reign, i will not see any breakthrough in his spanish tactics. Liverpool are not Valencia.

Liverpool out of the title race

Conceding out of the title race this early in the Premier League is something not expected from Liverpool. A club of tremendous reputation and stature, it is shocking to see how the team turned up to play against Arsenal, only two words to describe the performance of the Reds at the Emirates - Pathetic and Disappointing.

I couldn't have believe it that this team was capable of turning the table and won on one of the most glorious nights of the Champions League football against perhaps one of the best teams in the World - AC Milan. Today, the team looks nothing the sort that could stand up and fight with their heads held high, instead, they are crestfallen today.

Liverpool lacking in depth in their defence, with Reina over-rated keeper, disappointing Carragher, aging Hyypia, Pathetic wingers in Pennant, Kewell, and Zenden, overhyped Crouch and Bellamy, and most of all, unbelievable decisions taken by Rafa Benitez in rotating the squad. Perhaps it is time someone remind this Spaniard that Liverpool ain't no Valencia, and squad rotation work ok if he does not switch Gerrard out of position in every single match.

Since we are out of the Title race, maybe it is good Liverpool should not look forward to winning the Champions League again, or the FA Cup or not even the League Cup, because this team need a beating in their head before they wake up and realised the Club is bigger than any one player or their manager. They have let the Club down including all their supporters worldwide.

Liverpool take all 3 points from Newcastle

Alonso redeemed himself with a superb strike that gave Liverpool fans a renewed hope for this season. A much needed victory took the pressure off the Red while they need to prepare for the visit of Spurs who need a victory as much as Rafa's men.

Mixed reactions to look forward

Tony Cascarino (Former Chelsea player) had a good word for the defeated Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last Sunday, that the Reds did all the things right except finding the goal, and they lost to a shot that's impossible to defend. With that barrage of attempts of goals wasn't common except when Barcelona visited Chelsea last season Champions League, Liverpool would be aggrieved for the harsh reality of throwing away their chances especially the several missed shots from their mecurial captain Steven Gerrard. For others, it is one of the worst start ever to the Liverpool campaign in the English Premier League, and wondering how the once formidable defence in the partnership of Hyypia and Carragher is now, a question if Hyypia is getting too old for the English game, and Carragher ought to have be relegated to a second fiddle to the new star in Daniel Agger. However, it is not the defenders that the supporters are unhappy with, but the unreliability of Reina in the Everton game, that i as a Liverpool fan, am more concerned with.

The question remains, can Reina be the man that Liverpool can trust, or will he be another David James, whom we know, is nothing but a model hopeless cracker. And as we see one by one, Scott Carson went on loan, Kirkland to another, Kromkamp leaving for PSV, i wonder, are we concentrating too much on the widening our options up front, but forgotten that the foundation of a successful side depends very much on a reliable backfour and the depth in strength of our defences? We are seriously lacking depth and choices in our defence, and in goalkeeping, and i doubt Rafa Benitez will have the cash to spend on players come the January transfer window.

It remains to be seen how Rafa must come to select a side that plays to their strength and no longer experimenting especially so the key to whether Liverpool will have a bad season or an exciting one depends on the next two home games against Newcastle and Tottenham of which both are equally desperate to win at Anfield. I must say i am rather happy to learn, Shay Given is out for an operation and it is up to the reserved goalkeeper to stop the tide of Reds at Anfield, which is already a good sign pointing us to another 3 points in the bag to move upward in the table.

Champions League draw

UEFA Champions League draw Liverpool against Galatasaray, PSV and Bordeaux. In comparison, on paper, this might look easy, but definitely i would consider it a group of trickery and sudden death. All the teams have over the recent years done exceptionally well in their respective leagues especially PSV, and Galatasaray are never an easy opponent to play with especially so in Turkey. Bordeaux over the last two seasons been performing well in the French Liga. An expected £68 million dollar windfall for UEFA Champions League will force Rafa to take this competition seriously and as expected, Liverpool will be tipped to qualify the Group Stage.

Is Lobos the missing puzzle?

Rafa Benitez is keen to bring the Argentine to Anfield from Cadiz. Little is known of this player but is widely known as the key player at Cadiz's side and the £10 million price tag on him is a testimony of his ability. With Liverpool's windfall on the Champions League, there is a possibility of Rafa moving in for this free scoring player.

Liverpool's weakness

There is a dent in the fortress of the Almighty Red - Liverpool. The apparent lack of defensive depth has caused the team to be shakey in their second leg of the Champions League third qualifying round against Maccabi Haifa in Ukraine.

However the team managed to score the vital goal from Peter Crouch to clinch a spot in the Group Stage. This means, Liverpool will have additional £12 million fund for their transfer dealings till end of August. In the absence of Carragher and Riise, the host of younger players in Agger, and Palletta proved to be quite a concern in the coming weeks facing tougher opponents both in the domestic English Premier League and in the Champions League

Community Shield - The victory of Mind

So what if Liverpool won the Community Shield? Perhaps, as most would say, it is a cup with no significant monetary rewards nor any boast of achievement by winning it, but it is however, or should i say an important victory for Liverpool.

Liverpool went into this clash prior to a poor form of pre-season friendlies and the race to gain match fitness with the Champions League Qualifying. Noting in mind that the new Liverpool side started the game without the formidable set up in the midfield such as Gerrard and Alonso until in the later half of the match, and without the god of Anfield - Robbie Fowler. The lack of match fitness gave one player the chance to impress - Sissoko. For once, the title "The next Vieira" is justified with Sissoko running tirelessly in the midfield giving his every bit of inch covered and keeping the multi million Chelski stars Essien, Ballack in check.

Rafa's side achieved a psychological edge over the Chelski in the confidence of a new partnership between Crouch and Bellamy. Combining with sleek passing from Bellamy for Crouch to head home the winner and prior to that, Riise giving a 40 yard scorcher that left the Chelski backfour embarrassed and Cudicini to the ground. This two goals from Liverpool side is nothing but a shadow of what will transpire in the Anfield Camp, a renewed confidence, a hunger that would mean that this season, they are out stronger, and all they need to do is prove themselves by maintaining a good run in the early season.

One cup in the bag, zero for Chelski means, Chelski with their millions can be beatened. This victory is as much as victory for every single team out there as it is for Liverpool.