31st Mar2012

Why Carroll Has To Go

by Fernando

He’s been terribly appalling, from his lackluster confidence in front of goal to the lad’s poor work rate on the pitch, the man that at one point cost us a preposterous amount of £35 million has undeniably been the flop of the season in our team so far. Talking about Liverpool’s flop of the season, I simply cannot find a player on our squad that can be held comparisons with Andy Carroll. Yes, I’ve got to admit the fact that the likes of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson have obviously had a dull and mediocre season thus far, but Andy Carroll’s abominable contribution towards the team has been an utter distaste.

Interested to know why he has to go? Or why is it that he must leave? Here are the reasons.

He can’t combine well with Suarez

Always lethargic when those two are meant to pair-up with one another. Unlike Carroll, Suarez is always working hard to go past the defenders down the both flanks. Suarez is just one of those men, like Downing and Bellamy, whom often fights with all his will to try and get a goal for the big centre forward. The Uruguayan international often plays with enjoyable fashion, making teasing runs from the side of the box hence terrorizing the opposition defence.

In order to get goals, with sufficient amount of teammates delivering crosses and delightful long-range passes to him, Carroll has to make a few smart runs that are able to trick the defenders instead of standing inside the box like a statue just waiting for the ball to drop directly at his feet. Still unsure of it? Valencia Roberto Soldado and Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez are perfect examples, not to mention that the both of them who are actually a lot smaller compared to the English striker are doing a hell of a better job in their respective teams.

 

To raise funds for the transfer window

I think it is already all but certain that manager Kenny Dalglish is set to land a new striker at Anfield come the end of the next transfer window. The shortlist is long, but it sure includes Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, Valencia’s Roberto Soldado and Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi. With an astounding £64 million spent on trio Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson last summer, it certainly wouldn’t be easy to make expensive signings, and the people that I’ve just mentioned on Liverpool’s shortlist, they will definitely cost the board a lot of good money.

Hence, offloading Andy Carroll would be an ideal way to ease any financial issues at the club.

 

Youngsters are coming up

17-year-old prospect Raheem Sterling has announced his arrival in the Barclays Premier League. Despite being brought onto the pitch with only less than a quarter of the game left to be played against Wigan last week, he has already shown signs of his promising capabilities, and his pace down the left flank was tremendous. That, in my opinion, was the only positive during our embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Roberto Martinez’s men.

Raheem Sterling? That’s not all. I hope everyone’s heard of Dani Pacheco, [Good News] he will be back from his loan spells at  Rayo Vallecano and Atletico Madrid at the end of the season. However, one thing that frustrates me most is that this kid’s been badly overlooked. This article here says it all. He’s already been remarkable at international level by winning the Golden Boot in the 2010 European Under-19 Championship, what has stopped former Reds manager Roy Hodgson and is stopping Kenny Dalglish from giving him a try?

Nevertheless, young guns like Adam Morgan, Suso and Seyi Ojo will soon be making a name for themselves. For extra information, 17-year-old Adam Morgan has been dubbed as The New Robbie Fowler following his magnificent displays for the Liverpool Youth Academy.

Check out this video! (This boy’s kick-ass)

Enough is enough, the Liverpudlians all believe that Carroll’s time has come to an end. Not to mention a big name signing, perhaps Adam Morgan himself is already good enough to bump Carroll onto the bench.

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16th Mar2012

Four Reasons Why Liverpool Should Keep Suarez

by Fernando

Recent rumours have stated that Liverpool forward Luis Suarez could be heading out of Anfield in the next transfer window, a situation that has put the devoted Kop fans into an uncomfortable caprice come the pre-season window.

French club Paris Saint-Germain are the ones to offer Uruguayan Suarez an escape from the Premier League limelight.

Daily Mirror

Luis Suarez is shock transfer target for Euro giants Real Madrid and Inter Milan.

The People

Well, it definitely will not be as easy as it sounds to fend off chances of Luis Suarez making a shock departure from the Reds judging from the amount of big European clubs vying for his signature, but here are four reasons why the club should not offload our Uruguayan hitman despite the possibilities of him being approached by tempting offers seem undeniably high.

1. Our only good striker

That is for now. Although Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy are both crucial players for the team (and Andy Carroll not even close at the moment), we still need someone who can play for the club week-in-week-out. Looking at their ages (with Kuyt and Bellamy being 32 and 33 respectively in July), stamina and fitness, Luis Suarez is obviously the main man to lead the strikeforce.

2. Quick and skillful

With his lightning speed, it is one defender’s absolute nightmare to be ordered by the manager to man mark the Uruguayan international. He can be insanely skillful whilst toying with helpless defenders from the edge of the box before inflicting more troubles for the goalkeeper. In fact, he’s always capable of bringing the ball past two or three men inside the box as we’ve all seen his moments of magic on the pitch before.

 

3. Unfinished business in the EPL

Genuinely obvious. He is yet to make Manchester United’s Patrice Evra pay for what he has caused him, the eight-match ban. The last time Liverpool emerged victorious against their archrivals was in the fourth round of the FA Cup, the scoreline ended with a satisfying 2-1 win courtesy of a late winner by Dirk Kuyt, although Suarez himself was delighted with it but fact is that he was still sidelined at that time.

Fortunately, he was eligible to feature in the two teams’ next scheduled fixture in the Barclays Premier League, but his 80-minute goal wasn’t enough to win it for the Reds as Kenny Dalglish’s men tumbled to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

Speaking of that, he will still be gunning for his long-awaited revenge. And in order to achieve that, he’ll have to wait till the start of next season as Liverpool have 0 chances of meeting Manchester United again this campaign.

 

4. We can’t count on Carroll

The Englishman is simply not reliable enough. He’s cost us an astounding £35 million during his move from Newcastle United but is still yet to impress at the club after a year. That 3-0 win over Manchester City last season where he netted in two goals remains his only solid performance in a single match so far in Liverpool colours. So if Suarez really happens to leave at the end of the season and the team is already finding it hard enough to convert the chances with his presence, it is utterly hard to believe how a player like Andy Carroll can get the job done.

All in all, my take on Suarez’s possible departure – KD cannot afford to sell him. We’ve already wasted a talent like Fernando Torres, we can’t repeat the same mistake again.

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10th Mar2012

Liverpool FC Player Bios [Midfielders]

by Fernando

Steven Gerrard

Date of Birth : 30 May 1980

Squad Number : 8

Arguably the best all-around player the Liverpool fans will ever see. From hard-tackling abilities to long-range screamers, Gerrard has it all. Not to mention that he’s also a calm finisher in front of goal. The Liverpool captain has skippered his side to two FA Cup wins, three League Cup (also known as the Carling Cup) victories and one memorable glory over AC Milan at the prestigious UEFA Champions League final.

29 November 1998 will always be a very special day for both the player and the club when the young Steven Gerrard made his first-team debut, featuring as a late substitute after coming in for Vegard Higgem. In October 2003, Stevie G was named as the new Liverpool captain by manager Gerard Houllier, hence replacing former team captain Sami Hyypia.

Gerrard suffered a major career setback ever since injuring his groin at the beginning of the 2008–09 season. He was sidelined for most of his club’s games during the 2010-2011 season and was also forced to miss the start of the following season. Back in 10 March 2009, Gerrard netted two of Liverpool four goals in his side’s fantastic 4-0 win over Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, he then inspired Liverpool to a famous 4-1 over archrivals Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League with a goal from the penalty spot and a solid performance throughout the match. French great Zinedine Zidane praised Gerrard for his string of eye-catching displays.

Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but yes, I think he might be.

Zinedine Zidane

Lucas Leiva

Date of Birth : 9 January 1987

Squad Number : 21

Lucas was brought into Anfield by former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on 26 July 2007. The Brazilian scored his first goal for the club on 27 January 2008 when he curled a remarkable 25-yard shot into the top corner during an FA Cup fixture against Havant and Waterlooville. The goal made him the first Brazilian player to ever score in Liverpool colours. He then scored his first Barclays Premier League goal over a year later (3 May 2009) in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United.

During the absence of injury-prone captain Steven Gerrard and departure of both Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Lucas has pretty much cemented his place in the Liverpool starting 11. He was one of the side’s most consistent performer in 2010-2011 season.

He is much more mature, stronger physically and knows more about how to win games. He has shown great personality and capability to change things around.

Fabio Aurelio

Maxi Rodriguez

Date of Birth : January 2, 1981

Squad Number : 11

After making a name for himself during earlier his days at Spanish side Atletico Madrid, he was released on a free transfer in 2010 and was immediately snapped up by Liverpool on 13 January 2010. He scored his first goal for the side on 25 April 2010 when he helped his teammates emerge 4-0 winners over Burnley.

The Argentine found his spark again when he had two hat-tricks during the 2010-2011 campaign. The first one came during Liverpool’s emphatic 5-0 win over Birmingham City while the other was when the Reds swept aside Fulham at Craven Cottage with a brilliant 5-2 scoreline. In the 2011-12 season, Maxi was impressive when he helped Liverpool beat Chelsea twice in only nine days, once in the Barclays Premier League and the other in the Carling Cup quarter final, both at Stamford Bridge and scoring in two of the occasions.

Jordan Henderson

Date of Birth : 17 June 1990

Squad Number : 14

In the 2009–10 season, Henderson broke into the Sunderland first team and made a few Barclays Premier League appearances before going on the win the  Young Player of the Year award. In 2011, he was regarded as one of the world’s most talented youngsters alongside the likes of David De Gea and Romelu Lukaku. He eye-catching displays had caught the attention of several big clubs across England.

On 9 June 2011, Liverpool defeated rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in their quest to get Henderson’s signature. He joined the Reds for a total of £20 million. Later on, the club confirmed that he will be wearing the number-14 jersey, previously worn by one of Liverpool’s best long range passers of all time, Xabi Alonso. On 26 February, Henderson helped Liverpool to their first trophy in six years by featuring in the side’s 4-3 win in penalties over Cardiff City in the Carling Cup final.

Jonjo Shelvey

Date of Birth : 27 February 1992

Squad Number : 33

Shelvey became Charlton Athletic’s youngest ever player to make a senior appearance when he featured at the age of just 16 years and 59 days. He was quickly scouted by Liverpool before arriving at Anfield in May 2010 for an initial fee of £1.7 million. He made his first-team debut in Liverpool’s disappointing 4-2 defeat on penalties in the Carling Cup third round against Northampton Town on 22 September, despite him scoring on his turn. He then made his Barclays Premier League debut on 24 October 2010, coming on as a 87th minute substitute in the Reds’ 2-1 win.

Shelvey was sent out on loan to Blackpool on 30 September 2011, starring on debut in the League One in his side’s 5-0 victory over Blackpool. He went on to score a hat-trick (first hat-trick in his career) in another 5-0 win, this time against Leeds United. He was recalled to Liverpool on 30 November 2011 after Lucas Leiva suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) that would rule him out for the entire season.

Stewart Downing

Date of Birth : 22 July 1984

Squad Number : 11

Before joining Liverpool from Aston Villa on 15 July 2011, Downing has featured in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro Qualifiers for England. He played full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s 2-0 over Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League on 13 August 2011. The English international was relentlessly boo-ed by his former supporters when Liverpool beat Aston Villa 2-0 on 18 December 2011 courtesy of goals from Martin Skrtel and Craig Bellamy.

He silenced his critics regarding his poor run of form when he finally ended his Liverpool goal-drought on 6 January 2012, scoring against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup. He played a major role in Liverpool’s Carling Cup victory, scoring his penalty in the shootouts before being named as the Man of the Match for his excellent display.

Jay Spearing

Date of Birth : 25 November 1988

Squad Number : 20

Spearing made his first team debut for the club on 9 December 2008 as a substitute in his side’s 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League after spending  much of his career playing for the reserves. He then featured in Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Real Madrid, also in the UEFA Champions League. He finally made his first start for the team on 22 September 2009, playing the full 90 minutes in Liverpool’s Carling Cup third round fixture against Leeds United.

He was loaned to Championship side Leicester City in March 2010 for tastes of first team action. He made a total of nine appearances, scoring once in his side’s 4-1 win over Watford before returning to Anfield. On 8 July 2011, it was announced that Spearing would officially wear the number-20 jersey after giving his previous number (26) to Scottish teammate Charlie Adam.

Spearing received his first red-card in his footballing career after a controversial decision from the referee in his side’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham in the Barclays Premier League.

Charlie Adam

Date of Birth : 10 December 1985

Squad Number : 26

Liverpool completed the signing of Charlie Adam  for a fee of £5 million in July 2011 after failing to land him in January. He made an assist on his debut for Liverpool on the opening day fixture of the 2011-12 Barclays Premiear League campaign against Sunderland on 13 August 2011, providing the opening goal for Uruguayan teammate Luis Suarez for the opening goal.

The Scottish international then scored his first goal for the side in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on 27 August 2011. Adam has since became a regular starter for the side before going on to help his side win the 2012 Carling Cup.

 

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14th Feb2012

Liverpool FC Player Bios [Defenders]

by Fernando

Jamie Carragher

Date of Birth : 28 January 1978

Squad Number : 23

Born in Merseyside in 1978, Jamie Carragher has been an absolute one-team-man, although supported Liverpool FC rival Everton during his childhood days. He started his football career brightly after winning the FA Youth Cup in the year 1996 alongside his friend and former teammate, Michael Owen. Carragher made his senior debut for the club just three months after signing a professional contract at the club in October 1996. He came on as a substitute for Rob Jones in the 2nd leg League Cup semi final match against Middlesbrough.

The legendary centre back has four European trophies for the club, twice the UEFA Super Cup (2001,2005), once the UEFA Cup (2000-01) and once the prestigious UEFA Champions League (2005). Besides, he was once voted as the Liverpool FC Player of the Year by the club during the 2006–07 campaign. Jamie Carragher featured in this 666th game for the Reds on 9th May 2011, moving him up to second in the overall list for first team appearances for Liverpool (behind Ian Callaghan – 857 games).

Martin Skrtel

Date of Birth : 15 December 1984

Squad Number : 37

Skrtel was brought into Anfield in 2008 by former manager Rafael Benitez for a bargain £6.5 million from Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg.

He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he’s a very good player for the future and also for the present. He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good.

Rafael Benitez

The Slovakian made a great start into the 2008 season when he only failed to feature once in the Barclays Premier League all season. Since then, he has formed a strong partnership alongside Jamie Carragher at the Liverpool back line before tearing  the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on 5th October 2009, keeping him out of action for 8 weeks.

One of his greatest highlight at the club, Skrtel captained the side his 26th birthday in Liverpool’s Europa League game against Dutch side Utrecht. However, the match ended in a disappointing stalemate.

Daniel Agger

Date of Birth : 12 December 1984

Squad Number : 5

He started his professional career at Danish side Brøndby IF, where he scored 5 goals in a total of 37 appearances before being recruited by the Reds in 2006. His transfer from Brøndby IF to Liverpool of £6 million broke the record of the most expensive footballer sold by a Danish club to a foreign club. Things weren’t off to a flying start for Agger has his injury-plagued season only managed him 4 first-team appearances. On 1st May 2007, he scored one of his side’s most important goal of the year, curling the ball from outside the box into the back of the net to give his side a 1-0 win Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League. He later played in the UEFA Champions League final the same year, where Liverpool lost 2-1 to Serie A opponents AC Milan.

Agger signed a five-year-deal in May 2009, a contract that will see him remain at Anfield until 2014.

Glen Johnson

Date of Birth : 23 August 1984

Squad Number : 2

On 22nd June 2009, Glen Johnson signed for Liverpool from Premiership side Portsmouth on a deal  believed to be £17.5 million. Despite Chelsea closing in on their quest to lure the right back to Stamford Bridge, Johnson made a last-minute statement, claiming that Liverpool was the club he chose to join.

Johnson made his Barclays Premier League debut for the club on 16th August 2009 against Tottenham Hotspur, in match which ended 2-1 in favour of Spurs.  Then, Johnson was voted Man of the Match on his home debut at Anfield where he scored his first goal for the club (plus one assist) against Stoke City. He scored a late winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 20th November 2011, allowing the Reds to sink his former club with an impressive 2-1 win.

Martin Kelly

Date of Birth : 27 April 1990

Squad Number : 34

Kelly made his professional debut for Liverpool on on 9th December 2008 when he was only 18 years of age, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jamie Carragher in his side’s UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez confirmed that Kelly has completed a season-long loan deal to League One side Huddersfield Town in March 2009 as he continued his search for first team action. After returning to the side the same year,  first competitive start for Liverpool as a right back against French outfit Olympique Lyon in the UEFA Champions League. Despite walking off injured in the 74th minute, he was named as Man of the Match after a solid performance.

Kelly played a big part in Liverpool’s 2010-11 season in the Barclays Premier League, forcing teammate Glen Johnson to play at an unfamiliar left back role. In early March 2011, it was confirmed that Kelly won the Liverpool February player of the month award after great displays throughout the month.

Jon Flanagan

Date of Birth : 1 January 1993

Squad Number : 38

Flanagan shocked everyone when he was named in the first team in Liverpool’s crucial Barclays Premier League game against a strong Manchester City side 11th April 2011. He helped his team to a remarkable 3-0 win, with the 18-year-old-then youngster playing all 90 minutes of the match.

The young boy is not bad. For us that is really encouraging as well because it is a reflection of the work that is being done at the academy and if we have a strong academy it can only benefit us for years to come.

Kenny Dalglish

The Englishman continued to put in impressive performances due to long-term injury casualties Martin Kelly and Glen Johnson. He then played another full 90 minutes the following week when Liverpool took on Arsenal, a match that ended 1-1. Flanagan signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool on 8th July 2011.

Jose Enrique

Date of Birth : 23 January 1986

Squad Number : 3

After spending several seasons at Newcastle United, Enrique was targeted by top guns of the Barclays Premier League due to his magnificent strength and tireless energy. Despite showing his loyalty to Newcastle in an interview in 2009,

“I don’t care about Sunderland. Even if the newspapers said Chelsea I wouldn’t care. I worry for my team – I love the city, I love the club and I don’t care about signing for another team.

Enrique went on to sign for Liverpool for a £5 million fee on  11th August 2011. The Spanish won his first Man of the Match award for the Reds after an impressive show that saw his side beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Barclays Premier League at the Emirate Stadium on 20th August 2011. He was voted as the “Best Summer Signing” by Liverpool fans on 2nd October 2011, getting the better of Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll, Craig Bellamy and Charlie Adam.

Sebastian Coates

Date of Birth : 7 October 1990

Squad Number : 16

Coates was brought into Anfield after a string of splendid performances for his national side in the Copa America. He received a work permit on 30th August 2011 and given the number-16 t-shirt, last worn by Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos who has left the club to pursue his career at German club Wolfsburg. He made his Liverpool debut as a substitute for the injured Daniel Agger, in which Liverpool were relentless tamed 4-0 by Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Premier League. He scored his first Liverpool goal for the reserve team against Sunderland on 22nd November 2011.

Jack Robinson

Date of Birth : 1 September 1993

Squad Number : 49

Jack Robinson broke the record previously held by Max Thompson of being the youngest ever player to make a first team appearance for the club when he was only 16 years old and 250 days, coming on as an 87th minute substitute for Ryan Babel on the last day of the Barclays Premier League season against Hull City on 9th May 2010. The Englishman caught everyone’s attention when managed to silence the speedy Theo Walcott when Liverpool drew Arsenal 1-1 in April 2011. He then made his first start for the club n 23rd April 2011, contributing to Liverpool’s 5-0 win over Birmingham City.

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12th Feb2012

Liverpool FC Player Bios [Forwards]

by Fernando

Luis Suarez

Date of Birth : 24 January 1987

Squad Number : 7

Suarez immediately became a fan favourite at Anfield after his arrival at the club from Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, he signed a five-and-a-half-year deal through 2016 after passing his medical in January 2011. The Uruguayan international made an instant impact after netting in Liverpool’s second goal in the side’s 2-0 win over Stoke City in the Barclays Premier League on 2nd February, his memorable debut. To the delight of the Liverpool fans, Suarez was a FIFA Ballon d’Or finalist in November 2011 after being nominated among the best 23 players across the globe.

After an intense rivalry fixture between Liverpool and Manchester United on 15th October 2011, Luis Suarez was charged by the English Football Association for racially abusing French leftback Patrice Evra during the game. He was handed a heavy 8-match ban and a £40,000 fine by the authorities of FA in December.

 

Andy Carroll

Date of Birth : 6 January 1989

Squad Number : 9

Andy Carroll completed his remarkable transfer to Liverpool on the last day of the 2011 January transfer window from Newcastle. He ultimately caused the Reds an astounding  £35 million, breaking two previous records in England – being Liverpool’s most expensive signing ever and also the highest amount ever paid by one club to another for a British footballer. The tall forward was chosen to wear the number-9 jersey previously worn by Spanish striker Fernando Torres, who stunned the Liverpool fans after making a shock last-minute move to Chelsea the same day Carroll signed for Liverpool. The transfer made Andy Carroll the eight most expensive footballer of all time. The Englishman was hailed by former Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan as the ‘top three headers of the ball he has ever seen’ for his superb aerial abilities.

 

Dirk Kuyt

Date of Birth : 22 July 1980

Squad Number : 18

Dirk Kuyt joined Liverpool for a fee of £10 million in 2006 after spending three years at Feyenoord. It only took the Dutchman three starts to find the back of the net, scoring against Newcastle United in the Barclays Premier League at Anfield. He then scored his third goal for the club in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa with his father being one of the supporters in the stadium. With his solid displays early in his Liverpool career, Kuyt earned many impressive praises from the media.

The Dutch striker has the look of a cult hero in the making.

Daily Mirror

He is propelling himself towards iconic status.

The People

The Dutch international is much-known as the ‘Big Game Player’ by many Liverpool fans, with him scoring numerous crucial goals in colossal fixtures. During the 2007-08 campaign of the UEFA Champions League, Kuyt got seven goals to his name including one in the quarter-final match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and in the semi-final against cup favourites Chelsea. He scored a hat trick during Liverpool’s 3-1 win over rivals Manchester United in March 2011.

 

Craig Bellamy

Date of Birth : 13 July 1979

Squad Number : 39

Bellamy officially sealed the deal to join the Reds on 1st July 2006. He scored on his debut Israeli outfit Maccabi Haif in the UEFA Champions League Third qualifying round first leg on 9th August 2006 before finally getting his first league goal for the side in October (against former club Blackburn Rovers). He was accused for fighting with then-teammate John Arne Riise during a train session in Portugal in February 2007, an incident that earned him the nickname “The Nutter with the Putter”. After his instability at the club, he left for West Ham United in summer 2007.

The Welsh international made a shocking return to Anfield on transfer deadline day, 31 August 2011 as a free agent, the deal was completed courtesy of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish. Bellamy was in buoyant mood after completing the transfer.

I’ve grown up with Kenny Dalglish, now to be signed by him is a massive honour. It’s been a long couple of months, I had to be patient and believe something like this could happen.

He scored his first goal for the club since his return in Liverpool’s Carling Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion. Bellamy was temporarily removed from the team for the game against Manchester City due to the death of his friend and national coach, Gary Speed. Two days later, he made an emotional return as he, still in miserable mood, played his heart out to help his side to a splendid 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Carling Cup, in which he assisted both the goals. On 31st January 2012, Bellamy scored his 7th consecutive goal in his last 7 starts in Liverpool’s 3-0 over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Barclays Premier League.

 

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11th Feb2012

Liverpool FC Player Bios [Goalkeepers]

by Fernando

Pepe Reina

Date of Birth : 30 August 1982

Squad Number : 25

The Spanish international is the son of famous former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Miguel Reina. He officially joined Liverpool from La Liga outfit Villareal in July 2005 after being hailed by ex-Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the “best goalkeeper in Spain”. Ever since bumping the legendary Jerzy Dudek to the bench in the 2005–06 season, Reina has been Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper up till now. Moreover, he was given the Barclays Premier League’s Golden Glove award after keeping 20 clean sheets during the 2005–06 campaign. Reina was heroic for his side in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham, despite making a few blunders throughout the match. He made a crucial save late into extra time before going on to save three out of four penalties to send his team to a magnificent victory.

 

Alexander Doni

Date of Birth : 22 October 1979

Squad Number : 32

Alexander Doni was snapped up by Liverpool on 15th July 2011 on free transfer, having found a name for himself in the Serie A after spending a total of six seasons with AS Roma. Things weren’t off to a flying start for the Brazilian as he suffered a dislocated finger after saving a shot in a friendly fixture against Rangers FC. Doni is currently the second-choice goalkeeper in the squad, backup for Pepe Reina.

 

Brad Jones

Date of Birth : 19 March 1982

Squad Number : 1

Jones signed for Liverpool from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £2.3 million during the transfer window of August 2010. He was immediately handed the number-1 jersey due to the departure of ex-Liverpool goalie Diego Cavalieri just 3 days after completing his transfer at Anfield. The Australian joined Derby County on loan in March 2011, debuting in a painful 4-1 defeat to Cardiff City. All in all, he conceded 16 goals in 7 games for the second tier side before returning to Merseyside.

 

 

 

 

 

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07th Feb2012

Why The Spurs Draw Shouldn’t Be Deprecated

by Fernando

It’s the eighth draw in our last 12 games at Anfield. With so many points dropped at home this season, are the previous sayings of the electric atmosphere and the fervent fans at Anfield being the 12th man of the game, well, still authentic these days?

Yes, Liverpool’s performance in front of their devoted home fans have definitely been worrying and inconsistent, given the fact that the Reds would have leapfrogged 6th-placed Arsenal if they happened to walk away with all three points against Tottenham. Anyway, it’s another mediocre 0-0 scoreline at the end of the day as Kenny Dalglish’s men stare at the typical low-scoring scoreline they’ve suffered all season by which they were thwarted on previous occasions by Stoke City, Wigan, Norwich, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City.

Nevertheless, here are a few reasons why Liverpool fans should not be too disgruntled over the two points dropped at home.

Agger and Skrtel Consistent Again

Relatively solid at the back line for Liverpool, made a few crucial clearances and were very confident in the air. Martin Skrtel received a yellow card from the referee during the second-half after a 50-50 tackle on Tottenham winger Gareth Bale down the left flank. Perhaps the referee was a little too harsh there, as the Slovakian international undoubtedly got his foot on the ball arguably the same time he caught Bale’s knee. Yes, giving a free kick was a correct decision in my opinion, but the booking is debatable.

Charlie Adam’s Hollywood Passes

After receiving weeks of mind-blowing criticism from the public due to his recent poor form, Charlie Adam got the better of teammate Jordan Henderson in the eyes of manager Kenny Dalglish this week to earn a place in the starting lineup – and he showed the fans what he was capable of. Formed a good partnership alongside Jay Spearing at the middle of the park throughout the game to keep the likes of Luka Modric and Jake Livermore quiet. Besides, the Scottish international is certainly showing signs of him picking up his top form again after making a few breathtaking ‘Hollywood’ passes and inch-perfect deliveries that caught the opposition defenders by surprise.

Return of Suarez

A warm reception to welcome the Uruguayan sensation back into action with standing ovations given from the Liverpool supporters. Was in action right away, winning a corner for his side just seconds after his arrival.

His dribbling was satisfactory after making a few tantalising dribbles down the both flanks on different occasions.

What makes things more interesting? Liverpool will take on arch rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford next having impressively dump them out of the FA Cup last week. Suarez returning in time to haunt Patrice Evra once again, that will definitely a remarkable battle to watch!

 

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