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.