MyRAWK - MALAYSIAN RED AND WHITE KOPITES

Important Announcement: Keep Up To Date With MyRAWK

2008-09-15T18:58:00.003+08:00

Kindly point all your browsers to http://www.my-rawk.com for all our latest match reports and articles. Keep up to date with all our latest gatherings and activities also through our new home. This blog will not be updated often and will serve as our archives for our older entries. Please take note.

Thanks for all your support and understanding. We will continue to strive hard to improve our online presence and to better serve the Malaysian LFC supporting community.

The MyRAWK Team.

MyRAWK Special Event - Liverpool vs Man Utd Showdown @ Breakers This Saturday - Sept 13th!

2008-09-09T16:23:00.010+08:00

MyRAWK Special Event: Liverpool vs Man Utd, Saturday - Sept 13th @ Breakers, Desa Sri Hartamas, starting at 6:30 pm!

There will be a MyRAWK special event and big gathering for this Saturday's early kickoff showdown with Man Utd. The event starts at 6:30pm and 40 early birds wearing LFC kits / attires will be entitled to free food. There will also be freebies - prizes, merchandises and door gifts, for everyone. Test your knowledge on LFC and win yourselves a prize as we will have quizzes and Q&A sessions. Guess the correct final scoreline and one of you will win a grand prize.

More Details:

Seating: Free

Drinks charge: Happy HOURS till 9pm

Beer Jug: RM34.00

Beer Tower: RM 70.00

Beer Bucket (tuborg X 4 bottles): RM60.00

Premium Liquor brands 20%

So what ya waiting for? Be there or be square! Are YOU Red Enough?

MyRAWK

Welcome To Anfield: Albert Riera

2008-09-06T11:18:00.004+08:00

Finally, a left winger is signed to offer us more "possibilities" down the left flank. Checkout his press conference video and a compilation showing his skills while at Espanyol.

EPL: Aston Villa 0 vs 0 Liverpool, By Jon Wong

2008-09-03T16:03:00.002+08:00

Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool – Still Unbeaten, no?

This match pretty much gained top billings over the weekend with the wanted-away Gareth Barry (but never submitted his transfer request, duh!) playing against the team of the man who spent the whole summer chasing after his signature, our Rafa the Gaffa.

Those expecting fireworks would have been sorely disappointed as both teams lined-up to stifle each other. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t really complain too much if we played a little more defensively away from Anfield but this time, Rafa’s lost it. He had 2 strikers in the starting line-up i.e. El Keano but stuck Keano to the left and Torres was upfront by himself. Now, how does that exactly work? Worse still was when Torres tore his hamstring after a quarter of an hour.

O’ Neill was also guilty of defensive tactics even though they had home advantage. They never looked like they set up to win the game. And boy, am I glad we didn’t manage to buy Barry. He was pretty crappy to say the least. Nothing that Xabi or Yossi couldn’t do.

For me, the positive to bring out of this match is Carra and Skrtel are rocks and did not concede, Ngog seems like a gem and we came away unscathed. Nevertheless, it is 2 points dropped. I cannot help but feel yet again we cannot take advantage of other team’s slip-ups. By this I mean Chelsea. We could have been top of the table for 2 weeks but for Rafa’s defensive tactics and putting a table where the lamp* should be.

Are we looking at degenerating into a Houllier-esque meltdown? Honestly, I don’t know but let’s hope we dig ourselves out of this run of unconvincing performances soon. For once, I am glad that the league is on International break. We are still unbeaten, no? Yes we are but for how long?

*In reference to Rafa’s famous ‘table and lamp’ dig at the Valencia board during his last days at the club.

UCL: Liverpool 1 vs 0 Standard Liege, Match Report By Jon Cheah

2008-08-29T15:28:00.004+08:00

UCL: Liverpool 1 vs 0 Standard Liege – The Great European Escape Pt II, By Jon Cheah

Having barely scraped through the 2 wins in the EPL and the 1st leg draw in Liege, most will be wondering how long more can our lucky streak continue. The previous lackluster performances have got most Reds jumpy and on the edge of their seats. However, most will be sure that a typical European night will bring the best out of the team and the vocal home support will roar them on.

Unfortunately what conspired on Wednesday night didn’t follow the usual Anfield European tie script. In a somewhat more polished outing compared to the shambles that happened in Liege, we still couldn’t contain the youthful and energetic Standard team. Their quick counter attacking play kept our defenders and Pepe on their toes throughout the entire match.

We showed glimpses of good buildup play early in the 1st half with great interlinking play around Standard’s penalty box at the Kop end. But our final balls, touches and shooting were still pretty poor. On the other end, our defense was barely able to contain their fast counter attacking through Mbokani and Fellaini. Pepe was called into action twice to palm away two very good efforts from them. Skrtel, who was paired with Carra, was a lot more comfortable compared to Agger in the first leg.

Keane and Torres were both struggling to find their foothold throughout the entire game and were not helped by limited service from the midfield. But when clear chances did come their way, their finishing was poor. El Niño was not his usual self and was clearly put off by the physical marking on him. Keane was running everywhere trying to link up the play to no avail. We ended up resorting to long range speculative shots from beyond the penalty box through Gerrard and Alonso when we could not break down the stubborn and resolute Standard defense.
Our severe lack of width was cruelly exposed time and again when we were crowded out in the midfield area and could not penetrate their flanks through Benayoun and Kuyt. The gaffer finally saw the need to solve the problem and brought in Babel to replace the Israeli international in the middle of the 2nd half. But the young Flying Dutchman was still not in his element after missing a chunk of preseason through injury and Olympics duty.

The turning tide came when El Zhar was brought in late in the second half to replace a Keane that is still trying to find his feet in the team. Kuyt was then moved next to Torres while El Zhar was given specific instructions to stay and hog on the right by-line. Our attacking play improved tremendously and we resumed more control over the remainder of the match. Arbeloa then came close to breaking the dreadlock right at the end of normal time with a ferocious drive that was palmed away by Arogon, the Standard keeper.

The same pattern of play continued as we pressed on for that elusive goal in extra time. Most would have been mentally prepared for the penalty lottery, but our Dutchmen conspired otherwise by working together to finally score THE goal. Babel did great work down the left and sent in a perfect cross for Kuyt to score with a tap in at the far corner. It was enough to send Anfield into a frenzy and £12million into the club’s coffers. That strike alone was enough to pay his entire transfer fee and then some from Feyenoord.

The indifferent start to the season has dumbfounded a lot of Reds even though some have argued that we are perennial slow starters. I personally disagree and believe that we cannot afford to repeat the slow starts anymore, especially when the standard among the teams in the EPL and UCL have been raised so dramatically. We risk being consigned to being “also rans” before we even hit the usual dramatic holiday period and knock-out stage.

The alarming and desperate need for outright wingers cannot be ignored and be emphasized enough. It is not some left footed utility player ala Barry that can play in 3 positions that we need. We must move quickly and sign Albert Riera or some other English winger that the gaffer is eyeing immediately as it will never be easy to fit into a new team once the season has already started. The new wide man will definately have a steep learning curve to adapt to the team. Till then, we better keep our fingers crossed and hope that the fickle minded lady luck stays with us for a little longer while we find our feet.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun (Babel 61), Keane (El Zhar 83), Torres (Plessis 120).Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Spearing.
Goals: Kuyt 118.

Standard Liege: Aragon, Camozzato, Onyewu, Sarr, Dante, Dalmat (Jovanovic 86), Fellaini, Defour (Nicaise 118), Witsel, De Camargo (Toama 101), Mbokani.Subs Not Used: Devriendt, Goreux, Mikulic, Ingrao.

Booked: Sarr, De Camargo, Dante.

Att: 43,889

Ref: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland).

EPL: Liverpool 2 vs 1 Middlesborough, Match Report By Jon Wong

2008-08-25T12:20:00.003+08:00

Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough: Hometown Heroes

There was a lot of excitement in anticipation of the first home match at Anfield in the Premier League. I had wanted to see our new number 7 notch a goal in front of the Kop and witness a potentially deadly partnership blossoming between El Nino and Keano; or as one of the lads would call it, El Keano.

The first 10-15 minutes of the match appeared bright for the Reds as we looked to be in control with some nice runs and Kuyt had a fierce 25-yard drive turned away by Boro keeper, Ross Turnbull who was standing in for Brad Jones who was injured during the warm-up.

However, Boro was not to be overawed and understandably so having beaten Spurs on the opening day of the season. Their confidence saw them keep their shape and game plan of putting men behind the ball and hitting the Reds on the counter. We did not help ourselves as our performance were still not up to mark but I think we did better than when we played Sunderland last week.

The Reds were having a tough time penetrating Boro and the referee, Mike Riley did not help matters as he never provided Torres and Keane any protection from the Boro players. Towards the close of the 1st half, signs of the El Keano partnership reared its head as Keane side footed the ball to put Torres thrugh only for Huth to block his shot.

The Kop was buzzing and hoped that the players would come out and knock Boro back but more of the same awful performances by the midfield were in store. At that time, Stevie G was almost invisible; Xabi and Yossi kept giving the ball away. Kuyt with his Eveready-bunny performance was not going to help our cause at that point.

The clock was running down and Southgate called on Mido to add some attacking bite into proceedings. Boro were rewarded with a wonderful 25-yard strike 20 minutes from time by the Egyptian who scored his 2nd goal of the season, after coming on for Boro as he did against Spurs last week. It was deserved for the visitors as they took the game to us right from the get go.

It looked like one of those games where the Reds were going to be locked out as the visitors began to see the real possibility of a first victory at Anfield in 23 years. And who could blame them. We were dishing out drivel and it was quite evident as Babel didn’t even get a touch on the ball until about 10 minutes after his introduction.

We did start to approach the game with a lot more urgency but by then, my head and my heart were both telling me ‘we suck’ and were going to lose this one. Best we could get is a draw.

The drawing goal did come 5 minutes from time but via a very unlikely source of none other than our Carra-diator. The scouser let fly from the edge of the box and his luck was taken off Pogatetz as the shot deflected it off the Boro captain and wrong-footed Turnbull who was diving to his right. The Kop exploded and then all the nail-biting started. Could we? Couldn’t we? 3 points. Is it possible?

The only thing Riley did all night was to put out 3 minutes of injury time and some more after injury to a Boro player. With time running out, the script was set for Captain Marvel himself to rescue the 2 points that looked destined to be lost. Xabi’s best pass of the night was to float the ball over the top and it broke for Stevie G to lash into the top corner for a hard- fought win.
This sort of play-like-crap-but-win-in-the-end performance were trademarks of championship winning sides like manscum and chelski. Hopefully, it’s our turn. Let’s not get carried away though because the performance in the last 3 games including the UCL qualifier against Liege will be punished eventually. Good wingers, anyone?

Beijing 2008 OIympics: Mascherano's 2nd Gold!

2008-08-25T12:08:00.002+08:00

Monster Masch Claims 2nd Olympic Football Gold

On August 23rd 2008, the Reds’ midfield monster, Javier Mascherano made history by becoming the first Argentinean to have won 2 Olympic football gold medals. His first gold medal was won in Athens four years ago when Argentina beat Paraguay 1-0.

Masch found his way to the gold medal when his team of Argentinean wizards hold out Nigeria for a 1-0 win in Beijing. The goal was courtesy of Angel Di Maria, scored in the 58th minute of regulation time.

Masch will join up with the Reds back at Merseyside together with Lucas who won the bronze medal after Brazil beat Belgium 3-0 in the bronze medal match.
Congratulations to both and may you help us to glory in claiming numbers 19 and 6 come May 2009

International Friendlies – Reds in Action, By Jon Wong

2008-08-21T10:59:00.001+08:00

International Friendlies – Reds in Action

As much as I hate the idea of international friendlies, they are very much a part of the football calendar. I just have no idea why UEFA and FIFA schedule them one match into England’s Premier League season. It’s just plain disruptive. I’ll leave that for another day.

Anyway, we had some Reds in action in midweek, representing their countries for badly scheduled friendlies. Reina, Alonso and Torres starred for Spain against Agger’s Denmark, Finnan made his international return with Keane for the Republic of Ireland, Gerrard played for England and Dossena earned his 2nd cap with Italy.

Alonso scored twice in Spain’s win against Denmark 3-0. Our new number 7 bagged his 34th international goal as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Norway. Both Gerrard and Dossena’s teams drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic and Austria respectively.

Fortunately, at time of writing, there’s no report of injuries to the Reds players, so here’s hoping we beat Boro this weekend with a fully fit team. Oh! And Babbel’s back from Beijing too.

Red Olympians, By Jon Wong

2008-08-21T10:58:00.000+08:00

Red Olympians

It seems that Lucas Leiva took the above title too literally as he saw a red card flashed at his foul on his Liverpool team mate Javier Mascherano. The club mates were engaged in the Olympic Mens’ Football Semi Final where Argentina outclassed Brazil 3-0 to deny the World Cup winners an Olympic gold yet again.

Lucas was shown a straight red card while his team mate Thiago Neves was also sent off for a tackle on Mascherano as well.

Argentina’s goals came from a Sergio Aguero brace and a late penalty from Juan Riquelme. All goals coming in the second half.

Argentina now marches into the Final against African powerhouse, Nigeria this Saturday. Mascherano has the chance to earn himself a second Olympic gold medal while Lucas may have to settle for bronze should Brazil come out tops in the bronze medal match.

Good luck to both.

EPL: Sunderland 0 - 1 Liverpool, Match Report By Jonno

2008-08-18T13:58:00.004+08:00

The march towards number 19 has started!

It was a highly anticipated match, especially with the never ending transfer saga involving a certain captain of a midlands club. On top of that the capture of our new number seven, Robbie Keane (Reggie Keane to some), made most of us looking forward to this match even more than usual. Sunderland have strengthened their squad themselves with a host of players, many of them the former colleagues of our own Robbie, and a certain spitter that we all love to hate.

The match started with both sides lining up with a 4 - 4 - 2, that surprised me a little, I would say that many would be expecting the 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 which served us so well towards the end of last season and with teams needing to hit the ground running rather than ease their way into the season, it was certainly a strange decision from Rafa, especially with Xabi missing from the starting line-up. His place was taken by Damien Plesis, a promising bright young star that had starring roles in last season's march towards becoming the national champion with the Reserves. Another surprise was the inclusion of Sami ahead of Daniel Agger, although that one is more understandable with Sunderland looking to pump lots of high ball into the area.

Many were cursing Rafa when Sami had a mad moment with his weak header inviting Diouf of all people to have a clear sight of goal, luckily, as usual, Carra came to our rescue, nicking the ball away to concede a corner. From there, both sides were sussing each other out with hopeful probing balls that came to naught.

Sensing that we are still feeling our way through the match, Sunderland grew in confidence, starting to ask more questions of us, often packing the midfield to choke us and not allowing much space. We were lucky that their players were feeling their way through as well and weren't as sharp. They did however, snap us into action and the Reds were passing with a little more zest and purpose towards the second period of the half, however, these moves were often broken down by Sunderland who packed their defense and covering midfielders, at times with as many as 6 in the box to track runs and frustrate the Reds, and frustrate they did. There were a few moments of brilliance from the Reds when they put some nice passes together to open up the Sunderland defense and got a few shots in, one such moment was when Robbie cleverly brought down the ball, swiveled and let one fly with his left boot which missed the right hand post by about a foot. So close yet so far.

Sunderland were happy to go into half time scoreless, but they know that half time came at the right time, for them, just as we were controlling the game and started asking serious question about them.

The second half started the way the first one ended, Xabi came on for Damien who had a bit of a back problem and Liverpool came flying off the blocks, stepping up a couple of gears and went looking for that first goal that would open the game up. The warning was there, we are not leaving until we get the 3 points we came for, it almost came when Kuyt somehow managed to conjure space for himself and tested Gordon with his left foot, the rebound dropped nicely for our strikers to follow up but both Robbie and El Nino went for the same ball and El Nino's shot actually came off Robbie and went out for a goal kick, much to our frustration.

Next was Xabi's turn to try when he let fly another beauty from inside our half that sent Gordon scrambling back, only to breathe a sigh of relief to see it sail wide by a couple of feet. By this time, Robbie was already taken off and replaced with another youngster who impressed in the reserves, Nabil El Zhar. He brought much pace to the right hand side with Kuyt moved to a more central role.

As the match was drawing to a close, it was Xabi who made the difference when he sent a searching ball towards Torres who let fly a daisy cutter that went all the way and bulged the net. That sent the travelling fans and M Bar into a bouncing frenzy, with the fans bouncing nonstop until the final whistle came.

It wasn't vintage Liverpool, more of a smash and grab job at Sunderland, but I will take the 3 points as it was the first game of the season and a usual, our lads are still some way from full fitness and understanding, not less between Robbie and Nando, but there are signs that this team can push on, with lots of improvement that can be made and especially our Olympians who are due back soon, it's a nice build up to the bigger tests that await us. With the new look team and depth; it certainly excites any Red in the world as we look forward to the Boro game at home next week with greater anticipation. Boro are no pushovers, as shown when they beat a more fancied Spurs 2 - 1, but we know we will be fitter, stronger and another week's worth of training under our belt and we certainly look forward for Robbie to make his competitive bow at Anfield in the League. Walk on...

MyRAWK's Got A New Home!

2008-08-16T18:24:00.003+08:00

The MyRAWK Committee is pleased to announce that we've launched our very own brand spanking new website. Point your browsers to http://www.my-rawk.com to check it out. There will be new features to be added to our new home. Stay tuned while we improve our home further.

www.my-rawk.com - Home to the loudest and most passionate independent LFC supporting community in Malaysia!

Jon W's View on The Barry Transfer Saga:

2008-08-15T19:28:00.003+08:00

The Red’s Given a Barry-go-round?

Look, I don’t know about other Reds but me…I don’t think I rate Gareth Barry as much as Rafa seems to. Now I’m not saying that Rafa’s out of his mind to suggest the American w4nk3rs fork out £18mil for him, it’s just that I don’t think he’s worth that much. I’m not English but I’m all for seeing more local players being given a chance to shine on the pitch. However, the caveat is English players plying their trade in the UK cost a bomb. Who’d blame Rafa, the fergies, the russians and the whingers for bringing in foreign talent that cost a tenth that has more heart to play than the local lads?

Bottom line is Barry, in my mind should only cost about £8mil tops.

Then there’s the whole transfer issue with Rafa and O’Neill trading barbs and Barry adding fuel to fire by lambasting his manager all over the press. Bloody embarrassing. Bert suggested that the whole thing could have been avoided if Barry would just throw in his transfer request. It would have saved everyone a lot of headache. I didn’t think so at first. I just thought that Barry didn’t do so just because he needed the insurance that if our ‘proud’ owners refused to sanction the purchase, he’d still be a Villan. Now, I am not so sure. Why?

The sod is now cup-tied! He played in Villa’s UEFA Cup qualifier. The interview with O'Neill yielded this answer:

O'Neill added after the match that it had been Barry's decision to play.

"I had a talk with him beforehand. He was in the right frame of mind and wanted to play and there was nothing that would have stopped him which was very pleasing," he said.

"He wanted to play and he knew the consequences so the decision was very much his."

I thought he wanted Champions League football? If he was still hopeful and wanted to come to us badly, he would have begged not to be played. And hand in his transfer request too. Shows me one thing; he doesn’t have the heart and passion Rafa looks for. He can stay with the Villans as long as he wants to.

We’ve certainly been given the Barry-go-round. In a chat I had with Bert this morning, I created a new word to describe him. I can’t reproduce the individual words here since the content should be family friendly. The new term is ‘Fwankwitard’. It’s a combination of 3 very ‘poetic’ words. Can you make out what they are? A mug of bevy or Coke on me this Saturday if you can guess.

UCL: Standard Liege 0 Vs 0 Liverpool FC, Match Report By Will Tan

2008-08-15T09:15:00.004+08:00

Our long march towards Rome 2009 started in Liege, Belgium yesterday. Perhaps Standard Liege was considered an ideal opposition before the match but it was anything but that once the whistle blew for the kick-off.

Standard Liege was the Belgian champions last season and they had only lost once in the league then, which indicated the dangerous nature of our opposition. From the moment the ball was kicked, the Belgians seemed to have the extra spring on their heels and seemed to have an extra speed and an air going about their task of upsetting the Mighty Reds from Merseyside. The Belgians were truly up for the game and raised their game throughout. The Belgians’ coach, Laszlo Boloni had his wish granted for the Belgians to play above themselves and for Liverpool to play poorly on the night. It was so evident the Liverpool players were always second best during the match and their passing was haphazard at best. Even experienced players like Alonso, Kuyt and Agger kept giving the ball away.

As early as the seventh minute, the Belgians warned the Liverpudlians of their intent by having Fellaini’s header crashed against the inside of the post before Pepe managed to claw the rebound away from crossing the line into the back of the net. The Belgians claimed that the ball had gone in but the referee and his assistant stood by their decision not to award a goal.

Still, our players failed to heed the warning and in the 12^th minute, Dossena was penalised for a raised hand to stop a cross and a penalty was duly given despite the protests from Arbeloa and Dossena that it was outside the box and that it was ball to hand. This time, the referee sided with the Belgians. Pepe, Liverpool’s penalty king was handed the arduous task of stopping Dante’ penalty. Luckily for Pepe and us, Dante’s penalty was somewhat more of a mishit and tame and for a keeper like Pepe’s caliber, managed to save another penalty and we survived a potential tie killer. Liege would have parked the bus from then on and hit us on the break.

Still, our back 4 of Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger and Dossena had trouble coping with the zippy play of the Belgians who were quick and decisive in their play and had belief and played with passion and their hearts to take the game to Liverpool. Significantly, these were all the attributes that were missing from the Liverpool team throughout the match. In the 66^th minute, even the ever reliable Pepe Reina had almost missed a cross from Dante and it cannoned off his arms and the ball headed towards goal until Benayoun cleared the goal bound ball in the six yard box. And Pepe was by far the busier keeper of the two and had made countless saves. In one of their dangerous attacks, the young Brazilian leftback, Dante made a 30-40 yard glorious cross towards the penalty box taking our Carragher with it and De Carmago headed narrowly wide with Pepe scrambling to his sides and the ‘oohhs’ from the home crowd was deafening …….

Our play was tentative and hesitant and we hardly troubled the Belgian keeper. In the middle of the park, Plessis and Alonso took to the pitch whilst Gerrard was rested and Carragher was made captain for the night. Benayoun and Kuyt were on the flanks with Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres upfront. With no shots to show for their effort, our front line looked like a flop. The Belgians had our GBP48m frontline in their pockets with intelligent double team every time our front two had the ball and they were not able to muster any trouble for the Belgian keeper. And Torres’s frustration showed when he had a shot from 30 yards that flew wide – so did Xabi Alonso who had a mis-kick from a similar range that was closer to the corner flag than the Belgian goal. That pretty much sums up our attacking game ….. and the night

Even when Gerrard was called into action replacing our new GBP20million dollar man, Robbie Keane, Gerrard did not manage to galvanize his teammates. He could do no more than flash 2 free kicks goal bound - one zipped narrowly over the bar whilst the other was an easy catch for the Belgian keeper in the last few minutes of extra time.

The game bore a lot of similarity with last season’s away game against Besiktas and it was a nightmare to relive it over again. Only this time, we were lucky to have come out from the game with a scoreless draw when it could have easily been a loss. Well done to Standard Liege for they proved to be worthy opposition for our team and were better than us on the night. If Liege had had one striker on form or a high profile striker like Keane or Torres in their side, it could well have been a different story.

The sleeping RED giant from Mersey had better be awake in a fortnight if our ambition for a chance to lift No.6 in Rome 2009 still burns, for we will need a gigantic improvement from last night’s performance. After all, if we lose in Anfield in a fortnight, we will be out of Europe for the season and many would not be able to fathom such financial and reputation devastation.

Post Match Interview with Andy Townsend- UCL Qualifier: Standard Liege VS Liverpool FC

2008-08-14T10:16:00.002+08:00

To all Fans, last night's game really stunk and we were lucky that we were saved by Pepe Reina. Last night's combination of El Keano (El Nino and Robbie Keane) looks promising but you might want to think to get this thing going a bit more faster!!

Anyhow, please enjoy the post match interview brought to you from MyRAWK TV! See you this SATURDAY/SUNDAY at the M BAR @ 12:30AM. For those that do not know where the M BAR, its after Eastin Hotel, PJ at Phileo Damansara 1. See you there for the start of the march to no. 19.

EPL 08-09 Season Opener: Sunderland vs Liverpool

2008-08-12T09:34:00.005+08:00

EPL football season is back and so is MyRAWK's match gathering. Come join us to watch The Reds take on a Sunderland side managed by an old foe: Roy Keane, this Saturday nite / Sunday morning late kick-off game. Join in the chanting and singing to support our new strike partnership - Fernando "El Nino" Torres and Robbie Keane, one of the most feared attacking force in the EPL. We'll also be making an important and exciting announcement and launch a brand new look for MyRAWK. So, Are You RED Enough to join us this weekend?

Match: Sunderland vs Liverpool FC
Ground: The Stadium of Light
Date: August 17, 2008 (SUNDAY)
Kick Off: 12:25 am
Astro Channel: 813
Venue: The MBAR, (next to Eastin Hotel PJ)
Cover Charge: NONE
Membership Fee: NONE

Pls email to: myrawk@gmail.com for more info.
Contact: +6014 332 9718/ +6012 335 9208

** The new look MyRAWK is coming!**

Pre-season Friendly: Valerenga VS Liverpool Tonight Live on Astro!

2008-08-05T15:03:00.005+08:00

VS

Fellow MyRAWKites,

Please take note of the live pre-season friendly match against Valerenga, starting 00:55 tonight on astro - channel 811: SuperSport.

Catch our new boys: Keane, N'gogg, Dossena, Cavalieri and our highly rated youngster in action!

** LFC won the match 1-4, with goals from Alonso, Torres, Benayoun and N'gog.

-MyRAWK-

Robbie Keane: Liverpool's New No. 7

2008-07-29T16:38:00.004+08:00

Life has turn full circle for this boy-hood Red after initially turning down the chance to join Liverpool 14 years ago as a young teenager. He checks into Anfield with the 2nd highest transfer fee ever paid by the club (after Fernando "el nino" Torres) - £19 million (to increase to £20 million with add-on bonuses).

He will be assigned the no. 7 shirt made famous by the legendary Kevin Keegan and "King" Kenny Dalglish. Let's hope we see his trademark cart-wheeling, machine-gun firing goal celebrations at the Kop end.

Welcome home to your spiritual footballing home Robbie Keane. Let's hope the new no. 7 + no. 9 partnership will turn into the deadliest attacking combo in EPL.

-MyRAWK-

The fighting philosophy of Bill Shankly

2008-07-28T17:25:00.006+08:00

The fighting philosophy of Bill Shankly
In the first of our series of extracts from the Guardian book of football, Eric Todd talks to the legendary Liverpool manager - a players' man who has always been 'daft about fitba'

* Eric Todd
* The Guardian, Monday July 28 2008

Liverpool legend Bill Shankly celebrates in front of the club's fans. Photograph: PA

Like the state of holy matrimony, an interview with Bill Shankly, manager of Liverpool, is not to be entered lightly. There is an element of chance about them both; in neither is the course of events predictable. Shankly has to be heard to be appreciated. Like Jim Sims, that much-loved slow bowler for Middlesex in years gone by, he expresses himself through the corner of his mouth. There the comparison ends. Sims favoured the confidential drawl, Shankly fires his words as if with a Gatling gun. And he does not often miss.

Thirty years have passed since my first sight of Shankly playing at Deepdale in the company of the Beatties (not related), the O'Donnells (brothers), Jimmy Milne, Jimmy Dougal and Harry Holdcroft, that most handsome of goalkeepers. Even in those days Shankly was a busy, fussy character who always played with his palms turned outwards, creating the remote illusion of a sailing ship striving for that little extra help from the wind.

"Now, now," protested Shankly, when I suggested that analogy. "It gave me strength. Did you notice too that I played on my toes all the time? Like a ballet dancer? That gave me strength in my calves, and I’ve still got it. Preston was only a small place - Jim Taylor, the North End chairman, called us a village team - but it was a fine club who believed in modern methods. I learned a great deal with Preston and I’ve always tried to pass on some of those lessons.

"I was always daft about football. I went to Carlisle when I was 17 and a half, moved to Preston in 1933, and finished playing in 1949 when I went to Carlisle as their manager. They were a useful side but they haven’t had a great deal of ambition. But I had. So when I had the offer to take over at Grimsby because they ware struggling, I went and took less wages. From Grimsby I went to Workington, who were facing extermination. They offered me a bonus if I could save them. I got my bonus. Then I went as assistant to Andy Beattie at Huddersfield and, when he left, I took his place. I was made manager of Liverpool in 1959 and the rest you know. And by the by, I was never sacked in the whole of my life."

Shankly sipped his tea, long since cold, before he set off on a new theme. "People often ask me if I ever made a mistake. Well, to my mind 'mistake' is a misused word, especially in football. For example, you might say it was a mistake for a club to buy such and such a player but that is not necessarily true. The player might not be able to settle down or to fit in. He might not suit his environment. Just bad luck. A footballer’s not like a hat or a coat that you can leave at a shop if it does not fit or suit you."

"Mind you, there are some managers I’ve known who have gone about things the wrong way. The manager above all things should be solely responsible for the playing and training staffs and all tactics. He must be able to coach and to explain such basic things as how to kick a ball and how to pass it and control it. In other words, he must know what he's talking about. What good is it to go to a golf professional for lessons if he doesn’t know the game? The same with a football manager.

"Mind you, I would not say the best players make the best managers, although I think that's been more the case in recent years - but a manager makes things so much harder for himself if he can't explain the game to his players. And even that's only half the battle. To get the best out of his men, the manager has to work to a tactical plan they understand which need not necessarily be the one he'd like himself. For instance, at Liverpool we have Ian Callaghan and Peter Thompson, two of the best wingers in the game. They are as near to the old orthodox wingers as there are, so why should they be used in any other way? It would not be fair for one thing. Natural ability is far too precious to be messed about with."

"Before I forget I must just tell you about Denis Law. When I went to Huddersfield, I had charge of the reserves, and this wee boy of 15 was one of them. You would not have thought so to look at him but he had everything. He was fiery and he was talented and he was earmarked to be a star. He was to become one of the greatest players I ever set eyes on. Aye, he was that."

After this diversion Shankly picked up his management thread as if he had never left it. "As for me, if they're not satisfied with me, they'll get rid of me. We have a responsibility to the people of Liverpool. There was a great potential at Anfield when I went there and I like to think I have helped to realise that potential. We have got to try and maintain the high standard we have set, keeping in line with other teams with ambition, and maybe winning the League Championship again. That would give us a record haul of eight league titles, one more than Manchester United and Arsenal."

Shankly is young enough to have expectations of seeing that day, successful enough to withstand those tribulations to which so many of his kind have succumbed, patient enough to go on making a living until he can retire and take Nessie, his long-suffering wife, on their first real holiday in 25 years. When they went to a football match during their honeymoon, Nessie had a hint of what was in store in the years ahead. "A wonderful, understanding woman," said Shankly, whose present idea of a holiday is to stay in bed until mid-morning.

He neither smokes nor drinks but sees no reason why others should not do so - in moderation - and he has a lively sense of humour, although he is not conscious of it. If he were asked to think of something funny, he would be a slow starter. He is, however, master of the "off the cuff" type of humour and frequently reduces his players and press conference to hysterics with asides he had meant to be taken seriously. The sayings of Shankly are as forthright and weighty as the sayings of Mao. In the streets around Anfield they are also much more respected.

Shankly is not impressed easily nor is he a willing subject for embarrassment. When he put through his own goal in Tom Finney's testimonial, he was no more remorseful than a lad caught pinching jam from the larder. Only once, perhaps, did he go close to blushing. He played in a game alongside Frank Soo of Stoke City and afterwards a Scottish selector among the crowd went up and put his arm round Shankly's shoulder. "Well done, Soo," he said. "You played a blinder." "He thought I was the Chinese because of the way my hair was cut," explains Shankly, and his chuckle is that of a corncrake in search of a mate.

I think it would be an exaggeration to say that Shankly is regarded generally as a "popular" manager - except at Anfield, where the Kop acknowledges him to be omnipotent. He is not as aloof as he used to be but he is not easy to know, not easy to draw out. His conversation, like the man himself, is fitful. He speaks in Morse, as it were. But for all that he is, and always has been, among the genuinely dedicated managers and his success as a player and as a manager has been achieved the hard way. He has in his time made mistakes over transfers - that is my view, not his - but he covered them up effectively. Above all, Shankly is a players' man who knows that if he fights for them, they will fight for him. It seems a sound philosophy.

The Duke of Wellington is reported to have made sure personally that his troops - who did most of the work - had comfortable billets. Shankly subscribes to the same principles and now squeezes the duties of accommodation inspector into his already congested schedule.

Before I left him, Shankly summoned the manager of a hotel and gave him his instructions. "There'll be, eh, 17, in the party," he said. "So, eh, that'll be 17 fillet steaks – I’ll let you know how we want them done when we arrive - with chips. For afterwards, eh, there'll be 17 fresh fruit salads and fresh cream. Right? Then for breakfast, eh ..." A players' man indeed.

** Part of the interview was editted by MyRAWK for the purposed of easy reading. To read the entire article in it's original uneditted form, kindly click on the The Guardian link on top.

Sir Bob Paisley: Humble man who never walked alone

2008-07-28T17:22:00.001+08:00

Humble man who never walked alone
In an article originally published on 22/02/1996, Frank Keating reflects on Bob Paisley's funeral

* Frank Keating
* The Guardian, Monday July 28 2008

Good Bob Paisley was laid to rest in his parish churchyard yesterday as Liverpool supporters respected his family's request for privacy, and there were fewer than 100 gathered outside when the simple coffin, adorned with red and white roses, was carried into St Peter's, Woolton. There will be a more acclaiming memorial service in the city in the spring.

His widow Jessie, their three children and seven grand-children led the mourners, who included a number of players from Paisley's record-breaking teams as well as the four managers who succeeded him - Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Roy Evans.

Two of those, Fagan and Evans, would have been ruminating through moist eyes on the days when all the blazing red fires that were too hot for Europe were lit in the Anfield bootroom, which, legend has it, was instituted by the late Bill Shankly after he arrived to manage the dingy Second Division club at Christmas 1959 and kept on the two backroom boys from the previous regime, Fagan and Paisley.

By touching fluke this very day is published a biography, Shankly by Stephen F Kelly, which celebrates the founder of the feast. Kelly writes: "If there was any magic, it came from that small group who gathered within its four walls... all that came out of that bootroom was plain common sense."

And you can just picture it: a pot of tea on the hob, Shankly in his woolly cardie, Paisley in his slippers, Fagan and Ronnie Moran still in their tracksuits. "Young so-and-so didn't look too bright this morning," Paisley would mutter in his north-east vernacular. "Probably out too late last night," someone else would suggest. "Better have a word," Shankly would add. "Or give him a run in the reserve..."

Cosy little natters at elevenses which, in their way, girdled the globe - as pictures of yesterday's funeral will have. The Geordie adopted - and how! - by the Scousers knew he would be buried at St Peter's, which he and Jessie attended each Sunday for years. St Peter's! To the end he would tell of the finest night of his career, after Liverpool had won the first of their European Cups, soundly thrashing Borussia Mönchengladbach in Rome. The party afterwards was at the Holiday Inn, just down from St Peter's itself. It was the last of its type. It was still (just) the age of soccer's innocence then. The press were invited and the world and his wife were allowed to gatecrash so long as they were decked in red.

A number of the obits to Paisley mentioned that, however much the champagne bubbled, the beaming manager bursting out of his ill-fitting Burton's blue suit refused to take a drink, so he could "drink in the atmosphere and the achievement".

Well, true in fact but not in theory. Halfway through the do a big mitt gripped my arm fondly. "A Keating's a boy who should know," said Bob. "D'you think there's any chance of getting a bottle of Guinness round here?" I searched every nook. The St Peter's Holiday Inn did not stock Guinness. "Ah me," said Bob, "that means only me and the Pope up the road and Horace [Yates, the teetotal sports editor of the Liverpool Daily Post] over there are the only three sober men in Rome tonight."

By then the joint was dancing. Lo and behold, they struck up the Gay Gordons. Paisley joined in one set with us, grin on full beam, then went to bed, a happy man, the very happiest of men. Before he pattered off to the lift to get into those favourite slippers he had said something passingly matter-of-fact and prophetic. No football club in those days was sponsored but the spivs were talking such revolution. "Sponsors?" Bob winced as we walked to the lift. "Sign up with them and they'll be picking the team for you inside a fortnight." And so it has come to pass. RIP.

RAWK Forum: This season’s Defence – an Attack , By yorkykopite

2008-07-25T10:54:00.002+08:00

Liverpool have started every season under Rafa with a worse defence than their main rivals. There are several reasons why we haven’t put in a serious title bid in the last four seasons and most of them fall easily off the tongue – lack of money, injuries, lack of depth in the squad, off the field public suicide. But the main reason has been our defence.

I say this in full knowledge that Rafa’s teams have conceded fewer goals than Arsenal (three times) and Man Utd (once). I also know that Pepe Reina (deservedly) has won the Golden Gloves in his first two seasons here. But I’m not talking about blocking attacks, which we’ve been supremely good at. I’m talking about our relative inability to attack from the back. Unlike the other three we have been poor at creating plays from the defence. This season, hopefully, things will be very different. This season our defence might become an effective first line of attack.

The theory
There is, of course, an old-fashioned view in football that the prime job of the back-4 is to defend. If there’s anything left over after the opposition striker has been shimmied off the ball or the winger bundled into touch, then that’s very nice. But only in the sense that the packaging on a birthday present is very nice. You can do without it. Well, this idea may have been valid a few years ago in English football when a centre-back was judged purely on his ability to clear his lines and marshal the offside plan (Eye-Ore!), but not anymore. Today the job of the back-4 is to do both – to defend and attack. A successful back-4 has to be able defend and attack equally well and to switch between the two without pausing, taking a mental breather, or acquiring an alien mind-set. This means everybody. If a single part of the unit is not happy on the ball that simply increases the burden on the others and reduces the potency of the whole.

In the modern game defenders spend a longer time with the ball at their feet than anyone else in the team. It’s a crime if they can’t use that time to cause the opposition problems. A back-4 of Finnan-Carragher-Hyypia-Riise could be heroic in defence. It often was. But ask it to attack and you could almost see the thought-bubbles full of agonised question marks floating free from the players’ skulls.

The tradition
We know what it takes at Liverpool because we’ve had what it takes. We developed creative defences far earlier than anyone else in England. Cloughie’s teams – especially the Derby one – could be creative at the back but it was Liverpool who possessed a near-monopoly of defenders who took their offensive duties seriously. Thompson, Smith, Hughes, Lawrenson, Gillespie and – of course – the great Alan Hansen. Hansen often jokes today that he never crossed the half-way line. First of all that’s not true. Jocky sometimes carried the ball at high speed into the opposition penalty area where more often than not he’d bump into four or five unmarked attackers queuing up to shoot. But even in his later years, when the knees had gone, Hansen could still attack from the back. A skilful centre back, as Agger has repeatedly shown, doesn’t have to move a great distance with the ball to delete two opponents from the game and set up an attack. He just has to do it quickly.

On the wings, too, we’ve had entrepreneurial full-backs. Lawler, Nicol, Neal, the criminally underrated Lindsay and the long-lamented Rob Jones. Rolls-Royce footballers in unglamorous positions, they were key to whatever success the teams they played in enjoyed. What other right-back has turned up in open play in an inside-left position to put a team 1-0 ahead in the European Cup final? For that matter what other left-back has blasted his way into the penalty box to fire his team 1-0 ahead in a European Cup final? The answer to both, of course, is our full-backs, Zico and Barney – players of varying talent, I think, but both holding a similar belief that the team they played for was flexible and ingenious enough to cover for an inspired moment’s walkabout.

The inheritance
I admire what Rafa has achieved with our defence since 2004. Under Houllier the back-4 was valiant but it was not equipped for the modern game – especially in Europe. Even when Liverpool had the ball the defence was square! I mean, what better way than a square defence for saying to a colleague “for Christ’s sake don’t pass the thing to me”? Rafa changed all that. He staggered the defence when we had possession. He took an inadequate full-back and made the best centre-back stopper in the world out of Carragher. He freed up big Sam’s game and allowed him to try and work his way out of a problem rather than just whack the ball up the field all the time (something that Houllier seemed to have red-lined ever since Henchoz once screwed up at White Hart Lane). He made a European-Cup winner out of the lamentable Riise and he turned Finnan into the marauding right-back he’d once been at Fulham.

But it was still not enough. Not enough to win the league anyway. That back-4 made a great defence, but it was not an attack. Not by a long way.

The competition
I don’t want to dwell too much on the others. We can briefly admire them, especially the full backs. Evra, Clichy, Sagna, Ashley Cole (Christ, I said it) – all of them add such attacking dynamism to their teams. The centre backs too are, on the whole, quick with the ball and happy to have it at their feet. Carvalho, in particular, is a master at turning defensive play into an attacking play in a blink of an eye.

We saw in the Euros how some of the most eye-catching players were positioned at full-back. Boswinga, Zhirkov, Lahm, Ramos, even van Bronckhurst – all of them (apart from maybe Lahm) did well at the back. But mainly they did well in attack, stretching play, frequently getting beyond their own ‘wingers’, always looking to drive into the opposition half. I don’t know if it was Guus Hidddink who pioneered this style of full-back play but he certainly perfected it – at South Korea, PSV, and now Russia. And not one of his full backs, at any of these teams, was an established star.

The future
Clearly Rafa has made the full-back positions his priority over the summer. Both Degen and Dossena are meant to be attacking full backs with plenty of pace – men who think about the offensive side of their game as much as the defensive. Degen, it’s even been said by Dortmund fans, isn’t that much of a defender (something he seemed a bit too keen to prove against Lucerne) – a fact that Rafa seems uncharacteristically blasé about at the moment. It’s possible, of course, that Degen will end up being Kuyt’s understudy on the right of midfield rather than a proper right-back, but I doubt it. It’s more likely that he and Arbeloa will be vying for the number 2 spot. Spain’s squad player versus Switzerland’s squad player. It ought to be no contest. We’ll see.

Dossena looks a safer bet and comes with a reputation for having elite pace. I like the sound of that. If Babel continues on the left hand side then we shall need a left full-back who can attack that area on the wing that Babel always vacates when he’s running with the ball. This is a great opportunity for the Italian lad. My guess is that a lot of opposition right-backs will have a wretched time against the Babel-Dossena combo this year. I’m a Fabio Aurelio fan. He sees passes, especially infield passes, that other full-backs fail to spot. But, as always with Fabio, he’s likely to prove more of a handful for the physicians than the footballers.

And then the centre backs. I think Rafa will soon have to make the hardest decision of his coaching career. We now have four excellent centre-backs – all of them with proven ability, all of them keen to play. No one likes to rotate centre-halves. It’s not done. Barring injuries, therefore, Rafa will probably end up with a consistent centre-back pairing for the league. Who will be in it?

I said earlier that “if a single part of the unit is not happy on the ball that simply increases the burden on the others and reduces the potency of the whole”. For that reason I would look to play Agger and Skrtel. For me they are the best centre backs we possess. They are both quick, decisive and positionally aware. They both recycle the ball quickly when they get it. They are the most attack-minded centre-back pairing we have and may quite easily turn out to be the best in the Premier League. They are also both at a stage in their careers where they will be wanting regular first-team football. Treading water at this point in their careers is no good at all – especially for Agger who’s already missed out on a whole season of football.

Agger’s ability to attack space with the ball is already famous. He knows it’s a crime to dawdle even if there’s bags of time, and he has the pace to make for a gap in the opposition’s front line if he’s invited in. He’s also the consummate ‘picture-changer’. If nothing appears on in front of him, Agger is happy to move a few yards with the ball (rapidly) to see whether the picture is different from somewhere else. That’s when gaps open up and that’s why Liverpool are able to build quickly from the back when Agger plays. Of course Agger and Skrtel have yet to play together. It’s possible that there’ll be absolutely no rapport between them. But that’s highly unlikely. My own guess is that Skrtel, because of his similar ability to move with the ball at his feet, will actually make things a lot easier for Agger – pretty much as Lawrenson made things easier for Hansen. When you get two centre backs who have the ability to carry the ball it doesn’t half make things difficult for the opposition attack. You can’t sit back and let them come on to you – as teams do with Carragher and Hyypia – because they’ll just keep coming forward at pace. Instead of the floated nothing-ball into a crowded forward area you’ll probably end up with an extra, unmarked, man joining the attack at high speed. That’s usually fatal.

Of course I feel like a regicide in relegating Carragher. Carragher is the King of the Kop. The player who has most defined Rafa’s first age at Anfield. But there are two reasons why he might not play such a prominent role in the second age. Firstly, he’s already playing to the maximum of his ability. He has been for several years. But with wear and tear – and let’s face it Carra has acquired a hell of a lot of it over the years – he’s now straining to keep in touch with the standards he’s set himself. Jamie is the sort of defender who, even at the peak of his powers, was all about stretching that extra impossible yard to nick the ball away or block a shot. Some of the blocks he produced echoed round the football world. Like the one against Robben in the first Semi at Anfield or the cramp-defying block in extra time in the Final. They were miraculous. But Jamie is all about driving the machine to the extreme – he was so good, at his peak, because he left nothing in reserve. So the question is ‘what happens when Carragher can no longer push himself to these physical limits?’ A long time ago a similar all-action defender, Emlyn Hughes, held the European Cup aloft twice in two years. Twelve months later a kid called Hansen had nicked his place. It happens.

The second reason why Jamie might lose his automatic spot is to do with the back-4 as an attacking unit. Jamie does dawdle on the ball when he gets it. He cannot run into the gaps and once he’s stopped he finds it difficult to start again. Rather than attack open space and dishevel the opposition Carra prefers to wait for Alonso or Mascherano to come back and start the attack themselves. This means we often start moves with 5 or 6 men already behind the ball. No wonder our wingers have such a thin time of it. No defender is better suited to a siege than Carragher. No question about that. When Liverpool are under the cosh for most of the match, defending deep, you want him in your side. But with the team – hopefully – playing more in the opponent’s half this season, and with a high line, his qualities are a bit less important.

And what of Sami? Until Skrtel found his groove I thought he was our best defender last season. But I don’t think Hyypia responds well to rotation either. He can take an age – sometimes 4 or 5 games – to get up to speed once he’s a missed a few. That’s no good for a centre back. You either give Sam the lion’s share of the games or you use him in an emergency.

So
I’m excited by what lies ahead. I honestly don’t think that any of our other main rivals have such an obvious way of improving as we do. If the boys can inject more pace and adventure into our defensive unit then the whole team will begin to change character. If the ball gets recycled quicker then there will be more space and time for players like Babel and…..whoever ends up on the right-wing. But I don't want to fly that kuyt.

**This article was taken from yorkykopite's post in RAWK (click link to directly access into the forum pages). A big MyRAWK shout out to him for allowing us to reproduce his excellent post in our blog. Thanks mate! YNWA.

Live Pre-season Friendly Match On Astro - Supersport: Hertha Berlin vs Liverpool

2008-07-21T18:12:00.008+08:00

VS

Fellow Reds, pls take note of the live pre-season friendly against Hertha Berlin on Wednesday 23rd July morning at 1:40 am on Astro Supersports.

Catch it if you can!

**Editted: The match ended with a stalemate with Voronin missing a peno. One of the toughest pre-season match yet.

-MyRAWK-

Pre-Season Friendly: Wisla Krakow 1 - 1 Liverpool

2008-07-21T11:37:00.003+08:00

Wisla Krakow 1-1 Liverpool: Gerrard injury scare for Reds

By Ian Winrow - Sunday Mirror, 20/07/08

Steven Gerrard has returned home from Liverpool's pre-season training camp with a groin strain.

The news came after a frustrating week for boss Rafa Benitez, who has been reported to the Premier League by Spurs chief Daniel Levy after publicly declaring his interest in Robbie Keane.

But Benitez insisted the Gerrard injury was a minor hiccup - and remains confident he will land £20million target Keane.

Benitez said: "Steven doesn't have a serious problem but he can't train and we knew he wouldn't be available for this game. In a week he will be okay."

And he shrugged off Levy's comments by saying: "It seems you can talk to a club but you can't say the name. Hopefully next week we will have same new names here."

Without Gerrard, the Reds took a sixth-minute lead when Andriy Voronin converted Yossi Benayoun's cross. Krakow's Tomas Jirsik levelled six minutes later.

Match Highlights:

Pre-season Friendly: Lucerne 1 vs Liverpool 2

2008-07-17T14:27:00.005+08:00

FC Lucerne 1-2 Liverpool

By James Carroll - 16/07/2008 20:52

Liverpool's pre-season preparations continued with a 2-1 victory over FC Lucerne in Switzerland thanks to goals from Lucas Leiva and Andriy Voronin.

The Reds opened the scoring after ten minutes with a well worked goal.

17-year-old Spanish starlet Daniel Pacheco collected the ball on the edge of the box and slipped a fine pass through for Lucas, who stroked it first time past goalkeeper David Zibung.

However, Lucerne hit back moments later when Philipp Degen was beaten to a header at the back post and the ball bounced across the face of goal allowing Gavranovic to nod home with new signing Deigo Cavalieri stranded.

Liverpool's response was a positive one and, but for some good goalkeeping from Zibung, the Reds could have taken the lead much earlier than they did when Voronin netted a fine goal on 38 minutes.

Collecting the ball just outside the box, the much-margined Ukrainian striker clipped a sumptuous chip over the head of Zibung.

Voronin was handed a start by Rafa Benitez alongside Pacheco, with the youngster turning out another encouraging display.

In midfield, Lucas joined Damien Plessis, Sebastian Leto and Yossi Benayoun. Degen, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua made up the back four with a first start for new £3m signing Cavalieri in goal.

Benitez made several changes at the break as the likes of Ryan Babel, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel and Stephen Darby entered the fray but the pace of the game slowed considerably.

Liverpool continued to look threatening but failed to find a third goal as Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano were given late introductions.

The Reds will continue to train in Switzerland ahead of Saturday's match with Polish champions Wisla Krakow.

* This short match report taken from ShanklyGates.co.uk

Goal Highlights & Interviews:

Pre-season Friendly: Tranmere 0 vs Liverpool 1

2008-07-14T14:56:00.001+08:00

Early test is unkind to spirited Tranmere

Jul 14 2008 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Daily Post

CONVENTIONAL wisdom has it that the first date on the schedule of summer friendlies is not the ideal time for Tranmere to be playing sophisticated opposition like Liverpool.

It is too early in the pre-season programme for journeyman League One footballers to be sharp enough to live with a superior technical abilities of the Premiership stars.

Better to play Liverpool a few weeks down the line, to give them a more competitive game.

But picking and choosing dates isn’t an option for Tranmere when they have waited more than a decade to fix up a friendly with neighbours who happen to be one of the most illustrious clubs in the world.

Rovers had 15,000 reasons to be grateful for the visit of Rafael Benitez’s team in the form of the largest attendance at Prenton Park in more than four years.

The 90 minutes of football also had its specific advantages for Tranmere’s preparations for the new campaign.

Building fitness levels and stamina is a priority at this stage of the summer – and an afternoon of chasing while Liverpool pinged the ball around Prenton Park like pinball made for a demanding and valuable work out.

Tranmere had to run their socks off, to the extent that manager Ronnie Moore reckoned they would have “slept like babies” on Saturday night.

There were times, particularly in the first half, when the difference in class between the two teams was obvious.

No matter that Benitez fielded a mixture of first-team, fringe, reserve team players and new signings. Every man in a red shirt enjoyed a command over the ball that did not come so easily to the home players.

Rovers won’t have to cope with opposition with this level of technical finesse whoever they play over the course of the League One campaign that begins next month.

Tranmere were able to make a game of it thanks to hard running, doughty defending and finishing from the visitors that did that match up to their slick approach play.

Goalkeeper Danny Coyne made several sharp saves and was beaten by an exceptional strike from Yossi Benayoun for the 43rd minute goal.

Tranmere, testing out a 4-3-3 formation, left the midfield players with plenty of work to do and created only a thin ration of chances themselves.

Even so they had a near miss when Andrew Taylor’s 45th minute free-kick clipped the left-hand post and they created a clear opportunity on 77 minutes when Taylor’s cross from the left was headed over from close range by substitute Craig Curran.

An equaliser would have flattered Rovers but no-one was taking the scoreline too seriously.

Prenton Park has never boasted a larger attendance for a pre-season friendly, nor had a crowd that behaved quite like this one.

The signature of the afternoon was the excited babble of thousands of youngsters in Liverpool replica shirts making the most of a rare chance to see their heroes in the flesh at a fraction of Premiership prices. They did not know about match rules or etiquette, and probably did not care.

So when Steven Gerard made his first appearance of the afternoon, warming up on the touchline early in the second half as he prepared to join the action as a substitute, scores of young boys and girls in the paddock left their seats and scampered to the front in pursuit of an autograph.

A few minutes from the end the England midfielder provided a treat for spectators young and old – a pass played instinctively with the back of the heel through a crowded area that found its target 15 yards away with perfect weight and accuracy.

The performances of the summer’s new faces were of greatest interest to the Tranmere fans.

Early impressions are not always reliable but a lot of good solid work was done at right-back by trialist John Curtis.

The former Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and QPR player’s experience was evident and his fitness levels had benefited from training with Rovers on a trial basis for the past fortnight.

The three players signed last week look have some ground to make up fitness wise.

Irish midfielder George O’Callaghan, signed from Cork City, worked busily during the first hour before a little fatigue set in.

Edrissa Sonko found few opportunities to attack the Liverpool penalty area after joining the action as a 55th minute substitute for Chris Shuker.

Gareth Edds kept largely to a defensive midfield station before giving way to Adnan Ahmed on 67 minutes.

And Bas Savage, a 55th minute substitute for Ian Moore, showed he has a neat touch on the ball for a tall target man but did not have the opportunity to use his height to advantage inside the Liverpool box.

No-one one did more to counter the red tide of possession than midfielder Steve Jennings and Taylor’s contribution at left back took the eye.

But Rovers fans are already familiar with the quality of two of last season’s best performers.

Video Highlights: Benayoun's Stunner!

He's big, He was Red, His feet sticks out the bed!

2008-07-14T14:52:00.002+08:00

All the best to our favourite bean pole down south! Just make sure you score all your goals against the rest of the EPL clubs and not us.

-MyRAWK-

Downloaded Site for Liverpool FC fixtures 2008/2009

2008-07-08T11:02:00.004+08:00

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL LIVERPOOL FC FANS!!

We at Malaysian RED and WHITE KOPties continue to serve all Liverpool FC fans especially those in Malaysia. With that in mind, we always continue to serve in the best interest of all Liverpool FC fans and in accordance to the traditions of Anfield and the KOP.

We would like to announce that it is now possible to download the Liverpool FC match fixtures 2008/2009 for (outlook,yahoo, google, lotus and mac). Please go to this site and follow the instructions laid out in the website for downloading the match fixtures http://www.addadate.com/liverpool/index.html.

Enjoy!

RIP Joe Fagan, 12th March 1921 - 30th June 2001

2008-06-30T16:04:00.002+08:00

Liverpool born and bred, he was a one of the original "Boot Room Boys." Humble and loyal, he gave the club great service for over 27-years from 1958 all the way up to 1985. His most successful season managing us was in 1983-1984, when we won the treble - the League, League Cup and the European Cup (our fourth star). He sadly passed away at the age of 80 in 2001. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of "Smoking Joe" joining the Anfield coaching setup.

Joe Fagan, a Red through and through. RIP & You'll Never Walk Alone.

-MyRAWK-

John Arne Riise....... uh ah!

2008-06-19T15:41:00.005+08:00

We wanna know..............ohhhhhhhh , how you score THAT goal! Check out this compilation of some of the spectecular goals scored by our very own Norwegian "Thor" in his 7 years career with LFC.

All the best to you in Roma (he has joined them for about £4m) and thanks for the memories and great service.

-MyRAWK-

Liverpool FC 2008/2009 EPL Season Fixtures

2008-06-16T17:39:00.004+08:00

Below is the newly released fixture list for LFC in the coming 08/09 EPL season:

August
16 Sunderland (A)
23 Middlesbrough (H)
30 Aston Villa (A)

September
13 Man Utd (H)
20 Stoke (H)
27 Everton (A)

October
4 Man City (A)
18 Wigan (H)
25 Chelsea (A)
29 Portsmouth (H)

November
1 Tottenham (A)
8 West Brom (H)
15 Bolton (A)
22 Fulham (H)
29 West Ham (H)

December
6 Blackburn (A)
13 Hull (H)
20 Arsenal (A)
26 Bolton (H)
28 Newcastle (A)

January
10 Stoke (A)
17 Everton (H)
27 Wigan (A)
31 Chelsea (H)

February
7 Portsmouth (A)
21 Man City (H)
28 Middlesbrough (A)

March
4 Sunderland (H)
14 Man Utd (A)
21 Aston Villa (H)

April
4 Fulham (A)
11 Blackburn (H)
18 Arsenal (H)
25 Hull (A)

May
2 Newcastle (H)
9 West Ham (A)
16 West Brom (A)
24 Tottenham (H)

Pre-season 08/09: Tentative Schedule.

2008-06-11T09:57:00.002+08:00

16 June: Premier League fixtures released
7 July: All players return to training (non-internationals return earlier)
12 July: Friendly - Chester (a) TBC
Early July: Swiss Training Camp
Early July: FC Basle TBC
19 July: Crewe (a) TBC
26 July: Rangers (a) Confirmed
30 July: Villareal (a) Confirmed
5 Aug: Valerenga (a) TBC
12/13 Aug: CL Qualifer First Leg CL QR3
16 Aug: New Premier League Season begins
26/27 Aug: CL Qualifier Second Leg CL QR3

We will post the full EPL schedule for the coming season once its announce on Monday, 16th June.

-MyRAWK-

Season 2007/08 Goals Goals Goals from our men in RED!

2008-06-03T09:43:00.002+08:00

Hello there and Hello All!

Here's a bit of the post season review of goals from the 2007/08 campaign. This might not have been the most succesful in terms of trophies but in terms of goals it was certainly an impressive one. Not just in terms of the amount, 116 in total, but also the quality.

Goals! Goals! Goals!

Fernando Torres arrived and brought 33 goals with him, while Steven Gerrard added an equally impressive 21 goals - the two of them dominate our top 10 goals. Apart from the Gerrard-Torres combination, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun (all 11) and Ryan Babel (10) all reached double figures.

Go below to watch out best goals of the season!

Euro 2008 Ad You Won't See In England: Torres's Impact in Liverpool

2008-05-31T10:34:00.005+08:00

Here's a gem of an ad from Nike featuring Torres and literally, his impact on life in Liverpool off the footballing field. Seen scouser speaking Spanish en-masse? Heard the Torres song in Spanish ?

Check out the YouTube video!

In Memoriam: 29th May, 1985 - Heysel Stadium Disaster

2008-05-29T16:50:00.007+08:00

In "the darkest hour in the history of the UEFA competitions," 38 Italian Juve fans and 1 Belgian perished in the tragic disaster caused by football hooliganism. Let's take a moment to remember those who parished and never let hooliganism back into the beautiful game.

In Memoria e Amicizia - in Memory and Friendship.

Rocco Acerra
Bruno Balli
Alfons Bos
Giancarlo Bruschera
Andrea Casula
Giovanni Casula
Nino Cerullo
Willy Chielens
Giuseppina Conti
Dirk Daenecky
Dionisio Fabbro
Jacques François
Eugenio Gagliano
Francesco Galli
Giancarlo Gonnelli
Alberto Guarini
Giovacchino Landini
Roberto Lorentini
Barbara Lusci
Franco Martelli
Loris Messore
Gianni Mastrolaco
Sergio Bastino Mazzino
Luciano Rocco Papaluca
Luigi Pidone
Bento Pistolato
Patrick Radcliffe
Domenico Ragazzi
Antonio Ragnanese
Claude Robert
Mario Ronchi
Domenico Russo
Tarcisio Salvi
Gianfranco Sarto
Giuseppe Spalaore
Mario Spanu
Tarcisio Venturin
Jean Michel Walla
Claudio Zavaroni

MyRAWK

Jason Dasey interviews Craig Johnston

2008-05-28T10:30:00.002+08:00

Most of the newer generation of REDs might not remember the name of Craig Johnston. He was THE creator and designer that came out with the Adidas Predator boots that adorned the feet of Gerrard, Zidane and countless other fotalling superstars through the years.

To those who absolutely idolised the all conqering team of the 80's, he'll always be affectionately know as the mop-haired Aussie and the one responsible for the "Anfield Rap" song. Retired at age 27 still at his peak, he will always be associated with LFC.

Checkout the interview conducted by ESPN Stars' Jason Dasey by clicking on the links below.

Part 1: 'It was 20 years ago today...'

Part 2: The other side of the lens

We grieve for our fellow RED comrades from China

2008-05-22T12:13:00.008+08:00

Torres doing his part in supporting the quake victims

MyRAWK extends our deepest heart felt condolences to all our fellow RED comrades and everyone affected by the devastating earth quake in Sichuan in China. As the death toll is rising to above 40, 000, lets do all we can to help them go through this difficult and testing period.

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silverSong of a lark.

Walk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams
Be tossed and blown.

Walk on walk on
With hope in your hearts
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone.

MyRAWK

Welcome Home Sammy Lee: LFC Assistant Manager

2008-05-17T09:06:00.005+08:00

Sammy Lee has return to his spiritual football home; Anfield, in his third spell at Liverpool. He has officially been appointed as the assistant to Rafa after the job has been vacant ever since Pako Ayesteran left in sensational circumstances.

Below are some pics from LiverpoolFC.TV (click link for more pictures from his 1st day back at Melwood)

Fernando Torres Season Review 2007/2008 by spin1987

2008-05-15T10:33:00.002+08:00

This video is in recognition for our new No. 9 from sunny Spain. Our deadly and lethal El Nino, Fernando Torres.

Andy Gray Loves Fernando "El Nino" Torres?

2008-05-12T09:56:00.002+08:00

A video of Andy Gray praising our hotshot from Spain was posted in RAWK. Every Red knows he has something against us whenever he commentates in our matches. The only time he actually whole heartedly gave us a praise is when Gerrard score that beauty against Olimpiacos. Remember that "Oh you beauty! What a hit son!" comment?

Check out the video for yaselves. ;0)

EPL Match Report: Tottenham 0 vs Liverpool 2

2008-05-12T09:48:00.003+08:00

Match Report from The Liverpool Echo. Match was not shown on Malaysian telly.

Tottenham 0, Liverpool 2
May 11 2008

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres wrapped up victory at Tottenham to set a record for goals scored by a foreigner in his first season in the Premier League.

Torres’ goal was his 24th since arriving from Atletico Madrid, taking him past Ruud van Nistelrooy’s total when he arrived at Manchester United.

Andriy Voronin had opened the scoring at White Hart Lane as Liverpool ended their season on a high, while Spurs’ fizzled out as it has done since winning the Carling Cup.

Should this be a farewell to Spurs striker Dimitar Berbatov, it was a subdued one, although perhaps not the game to bring the best out of him. Aside from Torres needing his goal, there was nothing significant to play for.

Spurs had a chance of moving up a place to 10th - earning an extra £720,000 in merit payment from the league - while Liverpool had already secured fourth.

Rafael Benitez’s season has appeared overshadowed by the power struggle behind the scenes at Anfield and a reminder of their problems was the sight of co-owner George Gillett in the directors’ box next to chief executive Rick Parry.

A tier below them was Benitez and Juande Ramos, two Spaniards looking to improve their respective teams.

Ramos wants to gatecrash the top four with Spurs, while Benitez wants a title challenge rather than playing in end-of-season sideshows when the main events of the day are elsewhere.

Benitez’s team selection appeared to point towards the players he wants to keep next season when Liverpool will try again for their first title since 1990.

Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant were left out of the matchday squad, fuelling uncertainty over the future of the pair in the summer.

There was little to choose from the two teams in the early stages, with Radek Cerny saving comfortably from Voronin, then getting stretched a little more when Ryan Babel found a yard on the edge of the area.

Berbatov produced an impish flick for the hosts in the penalty box, after Jermaine Jenas had cut in from the right, but no Spurs player was on the end of the move.

It was Berbatov who almost opened the scoring, in the 26th minute, jumping with Jonathan Woodgate and beating his team-mate to O’Hara’s corner. Jose Reina palmed the effort away at full stretch.

Steven Gerrard attempted to up the tempo from the centre-midfield, and the intensity was raised when Javier Mascherano clattered into Alan Hutton.

Uriah Rennie chose not to book the Liverpool midfielder, then Hutton escaped a caution shortly afterwards when he brought down Babel at the byline.

Torres almost broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half. Gerrard surged towards the penalty area and was brought down by Didier Zokora as he released Torres.

Play was allowed to continue and the Liverpool striker sent Cerny the wrong way with his finish, but the Spurs goalkeeper managed to save with his feet.

Cerny was called into action again in the 58th minute when the ball broke to Voronin on the edge of the area but the low shot lacked direction.

Gerrard was guilty of losing his radar with his passes and one error gifted the ball to Steed Malbranque in a dangerous position. The Frenchman fed Robbie Keane but the finish was dragged wide.

Reina then flicked a Tom Huddlestone cross off Berbatov’s head, while Gerrard had a couple of efforts, one straight at Cerny and the other dipping over the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken 21 minutes from time when Alvaro Arbeloa angled a long ball from right to left towards the penalty area. Torres flicked on with his head and Voronin poked past Cerny.

Berbatov almost replied immediately but Reina tipped over his powerful volley.

Then came Torres’ goal in the 74th minute, twisting and turning past Michael Dawson and slotting past Cerny. It could have got worse for Spurs but Cerny saved Hutton from an embarrassing own goal. Torres also grazed the crossbar with a chip.

Goals: Voronin (68), 0-1; Torres (74), 0-2.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Cerny; Hutton, Dawson (Bent, 75), Woodgate, Gilberto; Malbranque, Zokora, Jenas (Huddlestone, 46), O'Hara (Tainio, 46); Berbatov, Keane.

Substitutes not used: Robinson (gk), Chimbonda.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Kuyt (Lucas, 81), Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel (Benayoun, 58); Voronin (Finnan, 71), Torres. Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Hyypia.

Referee: U Rennie (West Yorkshire).

Booked: Tottenham Hutton. Liverpool Insua.

Man of the match: Torres.

Attendance: 36,063.

Liam Harker: RIP & YNWA

2008-05-06T12:12:00.005+08:00

Our deepest heart felt condolences to the Harker family on the demise of Liam who passed away yesterday evening. His battle against cancer has captured the imagination Reds from all over the world.

Liam Harker - Rest In Peace and You'll Never Walk Alone.

MyRAWK

EPL Match Report: Liverpool 1 vs Manchester City 0, by Jon Cheah

2008-05-06T10:27:00.007+08:00

Our final home game of the 07/08 season was played out while most of us were still hurting and disappointed with the lost at the UEFA Champion’s League semi-finals. Some felt worried not knowing if the boys were in the right frame of mind to play in this rather meaningless fixture as we have already secured the final spot for next season’s UCL. Thankfully, the Gaffer did not allow this to happen as the boys resumed their normal service.

The Man City road show came to Anfield and with our very own soap opera still on primetime, most Reds will sympathize with the City’s travelling support. Their show of support for Sven Goran Eriksson - a boyhood Red and their discontent with Thaksin; who was linked with taking over LFC, is clear and plain to see.

Our new home kit for the coming season made its debut in this match and it looks rather “retro” and simple. That was probably the highlight of the 1st half as what played out in the first 45 minutes, was an uninspired and at times looked tired performance from the boys(unsurprising, after playing a tough and long match in a rain soak pitch 3 days earlier). The Anfield crowd was silent and it was the City fans that filled the air with their tribute to Eriksson – their very own version of “Another Brink in The Wall” by Pink Floyd. Captain Marvel – Gerrard did managed to force a spectacular save from Hart in the 32nd minute: his curled shot that was heading for the far post was saved by the keeper’s finger tips.

The match and the crowd sparked to life in the 56th minute after the break when our golden boy – Torres, took advantage of some sloppy play from Ball to slot home his 23rd goal in the EPL (tied with van Nistelrooy for the record of scoring the most goals in a debut season by a foreign player and equaled “Sir” Roger Hunt’s 46 years old record of scoring in 8 consecutive home games). Numerous chances went begging later for Kuyt - who hit the post with his header, Babel – who sent his shot to row Z from 6 yards out and Lucas - who sent his spectacular overhead kick straight to the arms of Hart.

In a season overshadowed by the turmoil in the boardroom, the team has managed to gather their 3rd highest total points in the EPL – 73 points with a match to go and the 2nd highest total number of goals scored in Anfield – 79 goals. The dynamic duo of Torres and Gerrard scored a total of 53 goals with 4 other Reds on double digit totals. Who would bet against “El Nino” equaling Albert Stubin’s record of the highest number of goals in a debut season – 25 goals or breaking the record he is currently tied with van Nistelrooy in the match aginst Spurs?

Lastly, questions remain on the faith of Riise, Penant and Crouch. I for one wouldn’t be surprised with the outcome during the summer silly season. My only concern is for Alonso, whom I still hold in very high regards even though this has been a lackluster season of sorts from him. Things are definitely looking up from the reserve team – Plesis and Insua will definitely feature next season. I’m already exited by the taught of new exciting players heading our way…… and the season still has a game to go!

Goals: Torres (58) 1-0.

Liverpool (4-5-1): Reina; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Insua; Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard (Voronin, 77), Lucas (Alonso, 73), Babel (Benayoun, 67); Torres. Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Skrtel.

Manchester City (4-4-2): Hart; Sun Jihai, Dunne, Corluka, Ball; Vassell (Garrido, 81), Ireland, Johnson, Petrov (Castillo, 66); Elano (Hamann, 66); Benjani. Substitutes not used: Isakson (gk), Fernandes.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).

Man of the match: Torres

Attendance: 43,074

Liverpool 1:0 Manchester City All Match Highlights and Goals
Uploaded by 14Modric14

UCL SEMIFINAL LEG 2: Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2 (Chelsea win 4-3 on agg)

2008-05-02T10:44:00.005+08:00

MyRAWK Admin: Good to see everyone back in the life again. Trust me this is going to be a long long non-season of football. We had a good game but lady luck shined away. Moving on, this gives us a good time to reflect on the past season and move forward.

After all, we are Liverpool FC and we have trodden down the beaten path. We'll pick ourselves up and challenge for top honors again. Casting aside our disappointment for this season, let's hope that next season's reinforcement would be something that we can look forward to.

Till then let's just savor our moment that neither Chelsea or Manchester United will have the real UCL cup to carry home or have the right to have this badge below, which is only accorded to more than 4 times champion winners of the UCL.
For those that missed the game. Below is a post game summary report. Enjoy!

report taken from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/chelsea-3-liverpool-2-ichelsea-win-43-on-aggi-lampard-summons-remarkable-courage-to-fire-chelsea-through-818869.html

That was worth £580m of any Russian oligarch's money. But let's start where football meets something more profound than Chelsea's first Champions League final, a moment in the 98th minute when Frank Lampard buried his face in the wet grass by the touchline while, in front of him, Stamford Bridge went berserk over the penalty he had just scored.

If you could just tear yourself away for a second from the extraordinary game that was unfolding it was worth considering the poignancy of Lampard's personal journey. Moments earlier with the game at 1-1, playing in his first match back since the death of his mother Pat on Thursday, Lampard had taken the penalty that virtually decided this game. That was something special, but on the night that Chelsea finally made good on Roman Abramovich's personal investment, there was plenty to admire among the men in blue shirts.

Alongside Lampard, Chelsea gave thanks to Didier Drogba whose two goals last night say that, unquestionably, he is a man for the big occasion, a player capable of carrying them all the way against Manchester United in Moscow on 21 May. Liverpool were not easily disposed of, they reinvented themselves after a first half in which they should have been beaten out of sight. Through Fernando Torres's equaliser they took this game to extra-time before eventually Rafael Benitez's powers of improvisation, maybe even his good fortune, ran out.

Last year's FA Cup final is this year's Champions League final and before then Chelsea have the opportunity to unnerve United as they chase them down the final straight of the Premier League title race. Never have two English clubs approached the last three matches of their season with so much at stake and so much to lose. They are carving up the two richest prizes in club football between them in a thrilling end to the season.

Most improbable are the identities of the two men who face each other over the dugout. Not Sir Alex Ferguson whose career seems to have been building to a moment like this. But how did we end up in one of English football's most dramatic chapters with Avram Grant in charge of one of the protagonists? He finished last night's game on his knees on the pitch genuflecting to persons unknown. Grant said it was a tribute to his father, a Holocaust survivor; it could equally have been to his powerful friend Abramovich sat high in the West Stand, out of sight behind the glass of the executive boxes.

For the first time since he took over from Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in September, Grant felt brave enough to step onto the pitch and wave to the home crowd. It would be fair to say that the response was unremarkable. Stamford Bridge was lost in a rapture that was new to Chelsea fans, but none of them yet seem to think that they owe it all to the unassuming little Israeli in the dark suit.

By the end of this astonishing game tactical forethought was out the window. Ryan Babel scored Liverpool's second with four minutes left to make it 3-2 on the night – one more goal and it would have been his side in the final. By then Sami Hyypia was playing in attack and Benitez, stubborn, unreadable to the end had taken off Torres and still refused to bring on Peter Crouch, even though he needed a goal to save him. Sometimes the Liverpool manager is just too clever for his own good.

Certainly Torres and, to a lesser extent, Steven Gerrard looked out of sorts in the first half. Rain for most of the day in west London meant that the pitch was treacherous and slippery. Passes went astray or slowed down in the wet. Chelsea's groundstaff have probably been a man down since Saturday's post-match dust-up with Patrice Evra and they will need every pair of hands to restore this pitch.

The game slipped and slid away from Liverpool, Martin Skrtel hobbled off injured after 22 minutes, a major blow to Benitez. In unpromising conditions it was Chelsea who adapted quickest. Michael Ballack and Lampard were the more sure-footed and on 33 minutes it was the Englishman who made his side's first goal. Salomon Kalou ran on to Lampard's ball and hit a shot across Jose Reina that the Liverpool goalkeeper did well to save. Drogba had timed his run late and cracked the loose ball first time past the recovering Reina.

Moments later Drogba was sliding on his knees in front of Benitez, mocking his claims that the Chelsea striker was a diver. The Chelsea fans loved it; the Liverpool manager pretended not to notice. There was a swagger to Chelsea that they had cracked Liverpool's code at last. Ballack struck a free-kick against the stanchion. They seemed to be saying they could finish Liverpool off at any time.

Benitez made changes at half-time, Dirk Kuyt was restored to the wing and he changed sides with Yossi Benayoun. The moment when Chelsea should have killed off their opposition came and went and then Torres struck. Benayoun picked the ball up on the right wing and set off on his only decisive action of the match. Drogba got alongside him but never made the tackle. Benayoun took his chance, Torres had backed into his man to create the space for a pass – the striker flicked the ball past Petr Cech.

Liverpool had taken Grant's team to a dark place and in the break before extra-time they looked as if they had the greater appetite. Five minutes later Michael Essien had a goal disallowed for offside but Chelsea smelled blood. Hyypia upended Ballack in the box and Lampard scored the penalty. Drogba added the second from Nicolas Anelka's cut back and this game seemed to be over.

History will probably forget that, with his team leading 3-1, Cech threw in Babel's late goal because Chelsea held on. Liverpool's season is over now and the sight of American co-owner Tom Hicks after the game, striding across the turf towards the tunnel reminded us that there is much more unfinished business at that club. So too at Chelsea where the miracle of Grant is that he has probably done enough already to keep his job and is one game away from a trophy that is not supposed to be the preserve of novices and unknowns.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Essien, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Makelele; J Cole (Anelka, 90), Lampard (Shevchenko, 118), Ballack, Kalou (Malouda, 70); Drogba.
Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Mikel, Alex, Belletti.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel (Hyypia, 22), Riise; Alonso, Mascherano; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun (Pennant, 78); Torres (Babel, 99).
Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Finnan, Crouch, Lucas.

Referee: R Rosetti (Italy).

Goal and Match Highlights:

Liam Harker: You'll Never Ever Walk Alone.

2008-04-30T16:19:00.004+08:00

In solidarity with the other REDs that have showed their support for the cancer stricken Red: Liam Harker, MyRAWK would also like to extend a warm and heart-felt tribute to him. Given just weeks to live, he has shown courage beyond normal to stay on to support our beloved club: LFC. This lad deserves our support in return. Let's win no. 6 for him.

MyRAWK

Meet the Referee: Roberto Rosetti

2008-04-29T09:46:00.000+08:00

Chelsea v Liverpool (30/04/2008) - Meet the Referee Monday, 28th April 2008

Italian referee Roberto Rosetti will referee the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.

Born on September 18th 1967 in Turin, he is a hospital manager back in his homeland and can speak French and English. He lists tennis, movies and books as his main interests.

He has been on the FIFA list since 2002 and his first International match was on 11th January that year was between Tunisia and Cameroon.

It will be the second time he has refereed us this season, back in November he was in the middle of our 4-1 home win against FC Porto. He has also refereed Chelsea this season as well, in October he oversaw their 2-1 win in Valencia. In his previous 5 Champions League games this season, that Chelsea win was the only time the away side has won.
Last season he also refereed Chelsea and ourselves once each, in March Chelsea beat FC Porto 2-1 at Stamford Bridge and we beat PSV 1-0 at Anfield.

He was in the final ballot for World Cup referees in Germany, but failed to make the cut. However he was suddenly recalled after Greek referee Kyros Vassaras was sent home after one of his team failed the fitness test. This made Roberto the second Italian referee in the tournament but he became the only one after Massimo De Santis was sent home after he was implicated in the foot-balling scandal at that time the country.

Rosetti went on to referee 4 games in the tournament including Argentina's 6-0 demolition of Serbia and France's 3-1 win over Spain in the knock-out stage. In those four games he cautioned 16 players and sent-off former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman. At over 6ft he was the tallest referee in Germany and had the second lowest ratio of cards per game in the tournament.

Roberto and his two assistants will represent Italy in this years' EURO Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

He was the referee last year when Croatia beat England 2-0 in the EURO 2008 qualifying match.

His assistants are Alessandro Griselli, Paolo Calcagno with Andrea De Marco as the fourth official.

Some memorable matches involving Italian referees and Liverpool.

12th Sept 1972 (C. Lo Bello) - Kevin Keegan and Emlyn Hughes scored to give us a 2-0 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the first round of the UEFA Cup.

10th Dec 1975 (C. Gussoni) - Jimmy Case scores all three goals as we beat Slask Wroclaw in the UEFA Cup.

16th Sept 1997 (G. Cesari) - Michael Owen scores his first European goal in a 2-2 draw at Celtic in the UEFA Cup.

26th Sept 2001 (P. Collina) - A single Jari Litmanen goal is enough to beat Dinamo Kiev at Anfield in the Champions League.

6th Nov 2003 (S. Farina) - Djimi Traore scores a brilliant goal in a 1-1 draw in Bucharest against Steaua in the UEFA Cup.

3rd March 2006 (M.de Santis) - Benfica end Liverpool's reign as European Champions with a 2-0 win at Anfield.

22nd November 2006 (D.Messina) - Liverpool claim top spot in Group C with a 2-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.

28th November 2007 (R.Rosetti) - Fernando Torres scores his first Champions League goals in a 4-1 win over FC Porto.

UCL SEMIFINAL LEG2: Chelsea FC v Liverpool FC

2008-04-28T00:48:00.006+08:00

Match: Chelsea FC vs Liverpool FC
Date: 1 May 2008, (LABOUR DAY HOLIDAY)

Day: Thursday
Time: 02:00AM

Station: 812 ESPN

Venue: The M BAR (next to Eastin Hotel PJ, Phileo Damansara 1)

Cover Charge: No

Membership: No

Drinks: RM30NETT per JUG, RM60NETT per Tower or just join us for a coke!

Email for bookings: myrawk@gmail.com

Contact: 6014 332 9718/ +6012 335 9208

EPL Post Match Report: Birmingham City 2 VS Liverpool 2

2008-04-28T00:22:00.003+08:00

Hello to all MyRAWKites everywhere! Last weekend was one exciting game to watch! I can't imagine what most of you were feeling at that time. And what about Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch? I can't figure out whose the better player but I would reckon that JP definitely earned Rafa's faith in him. Anyhow, below is something we scrappred up as our regular writing guy is not around this week. However, you can always view the match and goal highglihts for your watching pleasure!

Cheers and YNWA!
MyRAWK Admin

Liverpool’s B string ensured Rafa Benitez’s top dogs will be in the Champions League next season after a dramatic fight back against fast-fading Birmingham.

Trailing 2-0 with just 27 minutes left, Rafa’s barely-recognisable Liverpool – none of his big hitters featured – looked dead and buried.

But that was before Peter Crouch and Yossi Benayoun intervened to earn the Merseysiders the point that guarantees them fourth place and Champions League qualification.

In stark contrast, Birmingham are now facing the prospect of dropping straight back into the Championship. This result does nothing for their already-slim survival chances.

If chucking away a two-goal lead was not painful enough, news that Fulham, who they meet next week, won in the last minute was a crushing blow for 18th-place City.

Both managers rang the changes big time, for very different reasons. Benitez fielded nine new faces from the team held by Chelsea in the Champions League last week, with his focus clearly on the second leg of their all-English semi-final.

While the Blues’ relegation rivals may not agree, at least rotating Rafa was being consistent in respect of the dogfight. This line-up was almost identical to that which swept aside Fulham seven days earlier.

Blues boss Alex McLeish probably wished he could have axed a similar amount after his side’s 5-1 thumping at Villa Park. But the depth of his squad does not allow such shuffles.

Gary McSheffrey, Mauro Zarate and Cameron Jerome were dumped, though, for Olivier Kapo, Seb Larsson and top scorer Mikael Forssell. And McLeish’s selections had the greater impact – in the opening half at least.

Maybe Liverpool’s fringe players knew that whatever they did here they were not going to get a look in at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

For, unlike at Fulham, they were off the pace and seemingly already thinking of their hols. That handed Birmingham the chance to take a grip in midfield and gain momentum.

Forssell was the first to give notice of the home side’s threat when, in the 20th minute, he did brilliantly, firstly controlling a bouncing ball and then hooking a volley at Pepe Reina.

Ten minutes before the break, the Finnish striker fired the Blues ahead. Fabrice Muamba’s crunching tackle on Lucas sparked the attack, James McFadden’s cross evaded the Reds’ defence, and Forssell chested it down to slam in his ninth of the season.

At 1-0, there was never any chance of anybody at St Andrews thinking job done. Birmingham’s rearguard is too fragile, hence the sigh of relief from home fans in the 55th minute.

When McFadden was clattered 25 yards out, Larsson stepped up to curl the free-kick into the top corner.

If anyone doubted how significant a strike that was, Crouch soon put them right by reducing the deficit within eight minutes. Jermaine Pennant’s centre found the England ace, who drilled one past Maik Taylor. Now it was all Liverpool.

An equaliser was inevitable and arrived with 14 minutes left as Lucas, in acres of space, crossed for little Benayoun to head in via a deflection.

Benitez said afterwards: “Hopefully we can now progress in this year’s Champions League and if we get there focus on the final. Fourth place was always the minimum for us. I was very happy with the second half. To change so many players and still create a lot of chances was very
satisfying.”

Blues boss McLeish moaned: “I’m very disappointed. Before the game I’d have taken a draw but having gone 2-0 up, you think it’s sewn up.

“But it’s still a point and one which could keep us in the Premier League.”

Birmingham City: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell (Queudrue 77), Murphy, Larsson, Muamba, Nafti, Kapo (McSheffrey 77), Forssell (Zarate 87), McFadden.
Subs Not Used: Doyle, Jerome.

Booked: Murphy, Nafti.

Goals: Forssell 34, Larsson 55.

Reds: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise (Insua 64), Pennant, Plessis, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Gerrard, Kuyt, Carragher.
Booked: Voronin.
Goals: Crouch 63, Benayoun 76.

Att: 29,252

Ref: Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

Man-of-the-Match: Jermaine Pennant

Match & Goal Highlights: Birmingham City vs Liverpool FC

UCL SEMIFINAL LEG1: Liverpool FC 1 v Chelsea FC 1

2008-04-23T18:10:00.004+08:00

MyRAWK ADMIN: With all classic european games, we can either fault ourselves, the ref or JOHN ARNE RIISE. Despite the fact that we were leading 1-0 at half-time, we really could have done justice by adding some goals from Torres and Gerrard. Well howsoever the going is, we are Liverpool FC and we like the going the rough and hard way.

Below is a source taken from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/liverpool-1-chelsea-1-riises-lastgasp-howler-throws-chelsea-an-unexpected-lifeline-814037.html since most of us are either bleary-eyed or half asleep to write anything. Please enjoy.

I look forward to seeing everyone again on SATURDAY April 26 for the game against Birmingham City at 9:30pm.

Maybe the lads need some playing practise before we go to Stamford Bridge.
Its a European Cup game and as such, it will always be special for Liverpool.

By Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent
Wednesday, 23 April 2008

Avram Grant may not yet have proved he is a good manager but last night reinforced something about him we already knew: he is a very lucky manager. There were 94 min, 2 sec played when this Champions League semi-final tie was turned on its head by John Arne Riise's own goal. It was one more goal more than Chelsea deserved.

For once that famous Anfield roar was quiet, not so much silenced as gagging on disbelief. Liverpool's only crime was that in their periods of dominance, particularly at the start of the second half, they did not build on the lead that Dirk Kuyt gave them two minutes before half-time. Riise's own goal was at the same end where Luis Garcia scored that famous ghost goal against Chelsea in 2005. No ghosts this time, but a personal horror show for Riise himself.

The story of Rafael Benitez's Liverpool team in Europe over the last four seasons has been laced with last-minute goals and improbable comebacks; some might even call it luck. Last night they discovered that fate can work both ways. Now Liverpool must go next Wednesday to Stamford Bridge, where they have never scored a goal under Benitez and break the habit. You can only believe that Chelsea, even after Saturday's Premier League title decider against Manchester United, cannot play as badly as this again.

As Liverpool's players jogged round the pitch in their post-match warm-down, Jamie Carragher was miming to Steven Gerrard how Riise came to head Salomon Kalou's cross past Pepe Reina. The Liverpool captain looked disinclined to believe what he had seen. If that goal comes to decide this semi-final, thousands of men of a certain age on Merseyside may require therapy for years. Which is nothing compared to the kind of help poor old Riise, on as a substitute last night, might need to get over the event.

If Chelsea had not scored the equaliser there would have been a few people demanding to know why Grant had finished the game with Florent Malouda in centre midfield and Nicolas Anelka on the right wing. Those details were lost in the incredulity at Chelsea's late goal but, for those 94 minutes, nobody was advancing the theory that Grant had cracked the puzzle of beating Benitez's Liverpool in the Champions League that had eluded Jose Mourinho for three years.

As they celebrated in front of their own fans, the gestures of Didier Drogba seemed to be encouraging the Chelsea faithful to keep the faith. It was certainly stretched very thin last night. For long periods they were way off the pace. Drogba and Michael Ballack did not look fit; Malouda and Ashley Cole did not look fit for purpose. By the time Gerrard and Fernando Torres went close in the late stages, defeat by a single goal looked like a decent result for Chelsea in the circumstances.

Watching from his yacht in the Mediterranean, Roman Abramovich will have recognised that this result was not the outcome of a well-executed game plan, rather outrageous good fortune. If there is a defence for Chelsea it is that they did not give up, no matter how unpromising the circumstances looked. Even Drogba, whose touch was reminiscent of his nervous skittish self when he joined in 2004, kept plugging away long after it looked like a futile exercise for Chelsea.

Drogba had half a shout for a penalty when he and Carragher chased a ball into the Liverpool area on 29 minutes but in the chaos of the collision it seemed the defender made the tackle outside the area at the very least. Chelsea's best players were Petr Cech, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, who held them together at times in the centre of defence, but they had to ride their luck in moments when Liverpool broke through.

It was not Torres' finest 90 minutes for Liverpool this season. He had two chances to score, including one in the final minutes, that this young assassin would normally bury. On 31 minutes he was played in immaculately by Gerrard and then, behind the Chelsea defence, took two touches instead of one to control the ball. When he hit his shot it was straight at Cech.

For an easy comparison in the varying fortunes of the two sides you did not need to look much further than their wide players. Malouda and Joe Cole were scarcely in the game yet the unpolished Ryan Babel and Kuyt, the least natural winger on the pitch, saw plenty of the ball. Kuyt embarrassed Ashley Cole down the right wing more than once and, two minutes before the break, scored the goal that Anfield was praying for.

The move began with a quick free-kick by Alonso that set Kuyt off down the right. His cross was cleared by a diving header from Terry which fell to Frank Lampard on the edge of the box. There, however, the England man lingered too long on the ball and so Chelsea's fate unfolded.

Kuyt won the ball from Lampard and possession fell to Javier Mascherano while the Dutchman scampered into the area. Mascherano sliced the ball into the box where Kuyt, holding off Claude Makelele, tucked his volley through Cech's legs. It was a goal that showed up all Chelsea's failings at once – frailty in midfield, weakness down their left flank and a tendency to come off second best in tackles.

In the first 20 minutes of the second half Liverpool could have put this game to bed, but after that Chelsea drifted back into the match. On 65 minutes Drogba cut the ball back to Lampard who, instead of hitting it first time, tried to take the ball on and succeeded only in running it into touch. He slapped his forehead in frustration, Homer Simpson-style, a gesture that might have been best suited to Grant on the touchline for whom events were looking increasingly desperate.

Cech stopped a thunderous shot from Gerrard and another effort from Torres. Then, in the closing stages, it fell apart for Liverpool. Chelsea pushed forward in haphazard style, and with the four minutes of extra time seemingly elapsed, Kalou crossed low from the left and Riise, conscious of Anelka behind him, dived forward and headed the ball past Reina from close range. The noise died in the throats of the Kop. Even Chelsea did not seem able to believe their luck.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Riise, 61); Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun, 76); Torres.
Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Lucas.

Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole; Makelele; J Cole (Kalou, 62), Ballack (Anelka, 86), Lampard, Malouda; Drogba.
Substitutes not used: Hilario (gk), Shevchenko, Mikel, Alex, Belletti.

Referee: K Plautz (Austria).

Goal Match Highlights

HAVEN'T WE BEEN HERE BEFORE? by Sanjeev Kumar

2008-04-22T16:02:00.002+08:00

MyRAWK ADMIN: A big thanks to Sanjeev Kumar for his contribution on Liverpool being in the European Champions League Cup Semi-Final. We invite many of you to contribute to us by sending in your entries at myrawk@gmail.com

Good stuff, Sanjeev! For all those not sure, the game is on tonite, Liverpool FC vs Chelsea FC- WED 23 April @ 2:45AM @ Ch. 812 ESPN.

Winning, they say, is a habit, and Liverpool are certainly in the habit of winning European Cup semi-finals.

The Reds go into this latest Chelsea clash having lost just one of their eight semi-finals in continental football's premier competition – and that was 43 years ago.

FC Zurich, Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Dinamo Bucharest, Panathinaikos and Chelsea have all been dispatched at this stage, with only Inter Milan able to boast a last-four victory over Liverpool.

Here we look back on all eight encounters – and if you thought 2005 was dramatic, you better think again.

INTER MILAN 1965

Liverpool 3-1 Inter Milan

Anfield's first big European night will always rank as the greatest among more senior members of the Kop fraternity. The arrival of the World Club Champions was eagerly anticipated, with lengthy queues snaking around the ground from midday. Come kick-off, the raucous crowd (roused further by the sight of injured Gerry Byrne and Gordon Milne parading the FA Cup) seemed to frighten the life out of the Italians. Liverpool proceeded to hand out a footballing lesson to Inter's array of stars. By half-time the Reds were 2-1 ahead thanks to Roger Hunt and Ian Callaghan. Ian St John sealed a memorable victory late in the second half, prompting a round of 'Go Back To Italy' to the tune of Santa Lucia from an exuberant Kop.

Inter Milan 3-0 Liverpool

Inter might have been European champions, and they might have had the meanest backline in the world, but Bill Shankly's Reds travelled to the San Siro with an air of confidence. What they hadn't banked on, however, was a seemingly biased referee intent on giving every decision to the home side.
Disaster struck after just eight minutes when Ronnie Moran upended the Brazilian Jair. Spaniard Jose Ortiz de Mendebil indicated an indirect free-kick, yet turned a blind eye when Corso slammed the ball straight into Tommy Lawrence's net. Two minutes later, Shanks' frustration turned to astonishment when Joaquin Peiro kicked the ball out of Lawrence's hands and swept it home. The goal would never have been allowed in England.
With 82,000 Italians setting off firecrackers, flares and rockets, the odds were now firmly stacked against the visitors. On 62 minutes, Giacinto Facchetti shattered the Merseysiders' European dream when he burst through and fired an unstoppable drive beyond Lawrence.

FC ZURICH 1977

FC Zurich 1-3 Liverpool

The Reds were handed what was, on paper at least, the easiest semi-final draw, and that's how it proved to be. Mind, Bob Paisley's men were given an early shock when Tommy Smith fouled Fredy Scheiwiler in the box. Peter Risi put the Swiss ahead from the spot, though nine minutes later the scores were level - and it was a goal straight from the training ground. Phil Neal ghosted in at the far post before casually chesting Ray Kennedy's free-kick and slotting calmly into the net. A second-half strike from Steve Heighway and a penalty from Neal left the tie firmly in Liverpool's favour as the sides headed to Anfield.

FC Zurich

Liverpool 3-0 FC Zurich

The first of two semi-finals in a week for the Reds. With a Cup clash against Everton just around the corner, and Liverpool sat proudly at the top of the league, a unique treble was still on for Paisley's world beaters. The home crowd had to wait half-an-hour for a breakthrough when Jimmy Case robbed Chapuisat to create a 4-1 aggregate lead. The number eight added a second with 15 minutes remaining before Kevin Keegan wrapped things up with a close-range header. Next stop Rome, where Liverpool would win the first of their five European Cups.

BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH 1978

Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 Liverpool

Bob Paisley is said to have flinched when he heard the draw for this semi-final. Although his side would have had a testing time against either Juventus or FC Bruges, it was Monchengladbach, a team full of West Germany internationals, who the great man feared most. The tie was given an extra edge by the fact Liverpool had beaten their opponents in the previous year's final. Paisley knew they'd be out for revenge, but with the league, FA Cup and League Cup now out of their grasp, this was the Reds' last chance of silverware. Paisley sent out eight defensive-minded players with firm instructions to give nothing away ahead of the Anfield return. The plan seemed to be working until rookie defender Wilfried Hannes headed home from a corner early in the second half. The Liverpool bench was forced to act. On came David Johnson and Graeme Souness, the latter getting his first taste of European football. Talk about inspired. Johnson darted through the German defence on 88 minutes to nod in Jimmy Case's cross, and although Bonhof curled a 25-yard free-kick beyond Ray Clemence just a minute later, the holders were more than happy to fly back to Merseyside with an all-important away goal.

Liverpool 3-0 Borussia Monchengladbach

After entering the fray so effectively in Germany, Souness was handed the number 11 shirt for his first start in continental football. Characteristically, he took his chance, rolling the ball around elegantly in midfield. Anfield waited a mere six minutes to erupt when Ray Kennedy headed home a Kenny Dalglish cross. The roles were reversed on 34 minutes when Dalglish steered the ball past Wolfgang Kleff after Kennedy's knock down. The tie was then killed as Jimmy Case dummied Hannes before cutting inside and blasting past the helpless Kleff. Liverpool were through to their second successive European Cup final, where they'd meet FC Bruges.

BAYERN MUNICH 1981

Liverpool 0-0 Bayern Munich

The Germans flew into Merseyside armed with one of the most deadly weapons in the world game – European Footballer of the Year Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Bob Paisley had a new goalscoring sensation of his own in 19-year-old Ian Rush, but as fate would have it, it was defenders, not attackers, who came out on top during a stalemate first leg. Without the drive of the injured Souness, the Reds were unable to breach a well-marshalled Bayern defence. As the final whistle blew, visiting coach Pal Csernai knew he held the upperhand.

Bayern Munich 1-1 Liverpool

The home side were so confident of securing a place in the Paris final that directions to the French capital were given to locals as they entered the Olympic Stadium. Bearded Bayern skipper Paul Breitner even came out in public to write off Liverpool's chances, but in doing so he played right into Scouse hands. Inspired by those taunts, an injury-hit Liverpool stunned the Germans. Rookie winger Howie Gayle, an early replacement for the limping Dalglish, ran the Munich defence ragged. In fact, he did so much running that, by the closing stages of the second half, he had to be substituted himself. By this stage, Liverpool were in the ascendancy. A Ray Kennedy strike seven minutes from time confirmed their superiority on the night – with Rummenigge's late equaliser proving a mere consolation. It was the Reds who were on their way to Paris, where they'd face the original European Cup kings Real Madrid.

DINAMO BUCHAREST 1984

Liverpool 1-0 Dinamo Bucharest

The Romanians arrived at Anfield with no fear having eliminated holders SV Hamburg, and the first leg proved tough in every sense for Joe Fagan's Redmen. Rarely had Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush received such man-handling. The pair were scythed, spat at, kicked and dragged for 90 minutes. But when the visitors tried it on with Graeme Souness, it resulted in a broken jaw for Lica Movila. A Sammy Lee header from Alan Kennedy's free-kick made it advantage Liverpool going into the second leg, though there was still much to do to make the final in Rome.

Dinamo Bucharest 1-2 Liverpool

Rush Dinamo Bucharest 1984With a 70,000 crowd baying for blood (preferably that of a certain Scottish midfielder) the game quickly descended into something only vaguely resembling a football match. Souness was booed at every turn; though the Romanian players kept their distance, no doubt fearing the same fate as Movila. They instead took their revenge on Ian Rush, whose treatment would have thwarted a lesser player. But Rushy was not one to be intimidated, and his 39th and 40th goals of the season kept the Reds on course for a unique treble.

PANATHINAIKOS 1985

Liverpool 4-0 Panathinaikos

European kings Liverpool were clear favourites to reach a second successive final, though boss Joe Fagan refused to take the Greek champions for granted ahead of the first leg. "Once you reach the semi-finals of any competition, there are no favourites, only winners and losers," the bootroom legend warned his players beforehand. As it turned out, the Reds had all but ensured they were the former with more than 90 minutes to spare with goals from John Wark, Jim Beglin and Ian Rush (2)...

Panathinaikos 0-1 Liverpool

...Not that there was any telling the 60,000 fanatical Greeks who turned out in Athens equipped with firecrackers and horns. But Liverpool had seen and done far too much during 20 years of continental football to be caught in the headlights. A classy Mark Lawrenson strike on 60 minutes added further gloss to the result and the Reds were on their way to Brussels. The final, however, would prove to be one of the darkest days in the club's history.

CHELSEA 2005

Garcia during the FA Cup win over Chelsea

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool

A first leg which was cagey than a zoo - not that it was short of drama. French referee Alain Sars flashed yellow at Xabi Alonso following an innocuous challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen, a decision which would rule the influential midfielder out of the Anfield return. Liverpool's best chance on the night fell to the head of Milan Baros, but a world-class save from Petr Cech meant the tie was on a knife-edge as the teams headed to Merseyside.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

A European night etched indelibly in the mind of every Liverpool fan. Even if you do need reminding, there are no words to describe the way we felt when Luis Garcia's shot floated over the line, nor the sense of dread which overcame each and every one of us in the seconds prior to Eider Gudjohnsen's miss. Pure, unadulterated emotion.

CHELSEA 2007

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool

Rafa Benitez surprised many by selecting Bolo Zenden on the left of midfield – but the maligned Dutchman was actually one of the better performers on a disappointing night for Liverpool. It took 29 minutes for Jose Mourinho's men to draw first blood when Joe Cole shook off Alvaro Arbeloa's challenge to latch onto a Didier Drogba cross. It could have been worse but for the excellence of Pepe Reina. The key question as the Reds headed home was how they'd stop the seemingly irrepressible Drogba in a week's time.

Liverpool 1-0 Chelsea

Rafa during the Champions League semi-final versus ChelseaA training ground leveller from Daniel Agger on 22 minutes set up one of the most nerve-wracking nights in Kop history. As Anfield did its best to match the atmosphere of two years ago, Peter Crouch, Didier Drogba, Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise and Dirk Kuyt all came close to a decisive strike. Kuyt actually had a goal wrongly chalked off for offside, but destiny wanted a Champions League semi-final to be decided by penalties for the first time. A year earlier Pepe Reina made a hero of himself in an FA Cup final shootout, and the Spanish stopper did it again in front of a cross-legged Rafa Benitez, saving from Arjen Robben and Geremi before Kuyt netted the crucial spot kick. It was later revealed that, while Reina booked Liverpool's place in Athens, thieves were ransacking his home. No one, however, could ever steal memories like these.

EPL Post Match Report: Fulham 0 VS Liverpool 2

2008-04-21T09:34:00.002+08:00

MyRAWK ADMIN: We hope some of you guys don't mind us putting on the match reports from The Independant. Our regular writers are busy and some of us are stressed with overtime work. However, if there is anyone that would like to join our NGOish writing team please write in at myrawk@gmail.com. We'd love to have you on board!

On another front! BiGGUPS to our WHY WE LOVE LIVERPOOL FC contest winners: Nasir, Michael Tan and Jaikumar! We hope to see you guys around more often. Watch out fellas! More stuffs to give away so watch out MyRAWK TV all around Klang Valley!

Finally, BIGGUPS to our member BingLoon who celebrated his 21st birthday on SATURDAY at the M Bar. BIGGUPS and many congratulations on your first step to MAN-HOOD! Cheers and many happyt returns of the day!

Well and without further adue, please enjoy the read we have prepared for you!

Source taken from http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fulham-0-liverpool-2-benitez-focused-on-chelsea-after-cottage-breeze-812705.html

By Glenn Moore
Monday, 21 April 2008

Having despatched one west London club to the brink of the Championship, Rafael Benitez turned his attention to knocking another out of Europe.

Saturday's comfortable defeat of Fulham was the perfect warm-up for tomorrow's Champions League semi-final, first leg, with Chelsea at Anfield. Despite resting the bulk of his first team, Benitez was able to all but secure a qualification place in next season's Champions League, leaving him free to focus on the ongoing campaign.

"Anfield is amazing, and is the key for us," he said of tomorrow's match. "It has been in the past and can be again. If we can score goals and keep a clean sheet, it will be fantastic. If we cannot, the second leg at Stamford Bridge will be really difficult. But we're a top side, with experience, so we can manage."

Benitez has twice put Chelsea out of the competition at this stage and, while Avram Grant has replaced Jose Mourinho, he insisted nothing had changed. "I was watching the game at Everton on Thursday and they were playing more or less the same. The key to Chelsea is [Roman] Abramovich. He built a fantastic team. The only change is in the press conferences."

Does he miss Mourinho? "The press do, but not me. I have enough things to do in Liverpool now." This was a veiled reference to the unprecedented turmoil in the Liverpool boardroom. Benitez, though, looked relaxed enough and he added: "When we have some problems and am under pressure, I always think about people who are in a worse position than us [in other walks of life]. So I try to enjoy my profession."

It helps that the team are winning. Eleven wins and two draws in 14 matches insulates any manager. In general players only begin to worry about who owns the club when there is a danger, as at Bournemouth and Rotherham, of their not getting paid, or even having a job. That is not an issue at Anfield. Peter Crouch admitted: "It's not something we really care about. We talked about it a bit when it first started, but although we read things in the papers, to be honest it's not something that's been discussed among the players.

"We're not told anything about what's going on and don't really expect to be. You can tell by our results it's not something that's affected our form."

The instability at Fulham has come in the dugout and the club look like paying for it with the loss of their elite status. Roy Hodgson is the third manager in 13 months and his team is a patchwork of players signed by himself, Lawrie Sanchez and Chris Coleman.

A year ago a fortuitous victory over a depleted Liverpool earned Sanchez a "permanent" job. Fulham probably played better this time, but Liverpool's squad is stronger and "weakened team" is a relative term. Benitez still deployed 14 internationals. While Fulham began brightly, Lucas and Javier Mascherano ran the game much as they pleased after Kasey Keller waved Jermaine Pennant's shot past him after 17 minutes.

"I don't think Kasey will be happy today," admitted Hodgson, who had opted to retain the American ahead of the fit-again Antti Niemi. The keeper should also have done better with the second, scored by Crouch, though a sloppy pass by Danny Murphy, and poor marking from Aaron Hughes, were equally responsible. Similarly, Pennant made Brede Hangeland look very ponderous as he ran on to Lucas's pass for the first.

Thoughts turned to how Fulham may do in the Championship. "People regard spirit as players flying around the field smashing into others and knocking them over," said Hodgson. "We aren't that kind of team. We don't have any midfield players who can do that." Nor is Hodgson that kind of manager, but while West Bromwich Albion have managed to prosper without such a player they are something of an exception.

Goals: Pennant (17) 0-1; Crouch (70) 0-2.

Fulham (4-4-2): Keller; Stalteri, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies, Bullard, Murphy (Andreasen, 78), Dempsey; Healy (Nevland, 76), McBride (Kamara, 81). Substitutes not used: Warner (gk), Bocanegra.

Liverpool (4-4-1-1): Reina; Finnan, Skrtel, Hyypia (Carragher, h-t), Riise; Pennant, Lucas, Mascherano (Alonso, 72), Benayoun; Voronin (Aurelio, 82); Crouch. Substitutes not used: Itandje (gk), Torres.

Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire). Booked: Fulham Healy.

Man of the match: Lucas.

Attendance: 25,311.

UCL SEMIFINAL LEG1: Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC

2008-04-21T09:29:00.003+08:00

Match: Liverpool FC vs Chelsea FC

Date: 23rd April 2008, Wednesday

Time: 02:45AM

Station: 812 ESPN

MyRAWK: HEADLINES EXCLUSIVE!

2008-04-18T17:12:00.003+08:00

We all have been following the news on what's been going on at Anfield. We also know that its gut wrenching to see our beloved club being squabbled over like a pieace of meat.

However, we despite the rumblings going on at Anfield, we feel that the Malaysian Liverpool FC fans should know what actually transpired from the interviews with Sky TV.

As you know this is exclusive and we at MyRAWK were here first. Enjoy and we hope to see you at our viewing games!

Tom Hicks' interview with Sky Sports News

Tom Hicks feels the wrath of the mighty Dave Usher

Rick Parry responds to Tom Hicks' criticism

Happy 48th Birthday Gaffer!!!

2008-04-16T17:59:00.002+08:00

MyRAWK community wishes the gaffer - Rafa Benitez a very happy 48th birthday. All the best to him and go on to win us no. 6!

In Memoriam: 15th April 1989, Hillsborough - Never Forget, Never Forgive.

2008-04-15T09:32:00.004+08:00

You'll Never Walk Alone & Justice For The 96:

John Alfred Anderson (62)

Thomas Howard (39)

Colin Mark Ashcroft (19)

Thomas Anthony Howard (14)

James Gary Aspinall (18)

Eric George Hughes (42)

Kester Roger Marcus Ball (16)

Alan Johnston (29)

Gerard Bernard Patrick Baron (67)

Christine Anne Jones (27)

Simon Bell (17)

Gary Philip Jones (18)

Barry Sidney Bennett (26)

Richard Jones (25)

David John Benson (22)

Nicholas Peter Joynes (27)

David William Birtle (22)

Anthony Peter Kelly (29)

Tony Bland (22)

Michael David Kelly (38)

Paul David Brady (21)

Carl David Lewis (18)

Andrew Mark Brookes (26)

David William Mather (19)

Carl Brown (18)

Brian Christopher Mathews (38)

David Steven Brown (25)

Francis Joseph McAllister (27)

Henry Thomas Burke (47)

John McBrien (18)

Peter Andrew Burkett (24)

Marion Hazel McCabe (21)

Paul William Carlile (19)

Joseph Daniel McCarthy (21)

Raymond Thomas Chapman (50)

Peter McDonnell (21)

Gary Christopher Church (19)

Alan McGlone (28)

Joseph Clark (29)

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WHY I LOVE LIVERPOOL FC and have your post on MyRAWK TV@TehTarikForum

2008-04-14T10:43:00.004+08:00

Win a limited edition Liverpool FC GIFT and a Carlsberg surprise gift! Just tell us:
"WHY I LOVE LIVERPOOL FC" in NOT MORE THAN 20 words by sending them to myrawk@gmail.com

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POST GAME EPL: Liverpool 3 v Blackburn Rovers 1

2008-04-14T10:26:00.004+08:00

In a most defining moment, we've ridden ourselves the bogey of Blackburn. However, we still have a long way to go in regaining our past glories and with the current boardroom politics we have now at Anfiled, we are reaching its ugliest head yet. However, despite what has been going onlet it be known that as liverpool fc fans that follow the creed, "We shall not be moved!" and we shall not be moved.

So with that in mind, in place of our away-on-leave writers, below is a match report from the Independent and goal highlights from Daily Motion for all you LFC fans out there!

Liverpool 3 Blackburn Rovers 1: Torres thrives on Gerrard's support act in Anfield stroll
By Jon CulleyMonday, 14 April 2008

If Liverpool's players were in any way distracted by the civil war raging off the field at Anfield, it was not enough to be of any benefit to Blackburn in their quest to be the Premier League's representative in the Intertoto Cup, nor to Everton in their now diminishing hopes of finishing in the top four.

Liverpool ultimately had too much determination and too much class for Mark Hughes' team. The scoreline may have been a little flattering to them, inflated as it was by two goals in the last eight minutes, but there was no argument with the merit in the result, which puts Liverpool five points ahead of their Merseyside rivals with four matches to go.

Inevitably, the determining influences were Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who continue to bring a smile to the face of their manager, Rafael Benitez. They have been Liverpool's match-winners all season, but with the evolution of their relationship on the pitch the threat they pose to opponents is more potent now than ever.

Settling into a position just behind Torres in what was effectively a four-man Liverpool attack, with Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel in the wide positions, Gerrard was in his element, striking fear into Blackburn through his ability, with a burst of acceleration, to tear a hole in their defence in an instant.

After his first, telling charge, midway through the first half, he was convinced he should have had a penalty, tumbling over the body of Brad Friedel. The referee, Mike Riley, noted the position of Gerrard's trailing leg, however, and gave the Blackburn goalkeeper the benefit of the doubt.

Later in the opening half Gerrard was bundled over by Christopher Samba, outside the box this time, but was denied even a free kick.

Then again, Riley ruled leniently in Liverpool's favour more than once, notably when Jason Roberts, about to race into a one-on-one chance against Pepe Reina at 1-0 down, was pulled back by Martin Skrtel, who received only a caution when a red card might have been appropriate.

The match-turning moment came after the introduction of Yossi Benayoun. Intercepting a stray pass by Roque Santa Cruz deep in Blackburn territory, it was the Israeli who launched the breakthrough move, one that ended with Gerrard exchanging passes with Lucas before surging past Samba and steering the ball wide of Friedel.

Torres made his mark in the 82nd minute to put the result beyond doubt, the Spaniard rising unmarked to head home a perfect cross by Gerrard to claim his 30th goal of the season. Andriy Voronin, who replaced Torres in the last five minutes, slid home the third goal in the last minute, before Santa Cruz, with a deft volley, claimed small, stoppage-time consolation for Blackburn

"After the praise for the way they played against Arsenal, it was difficult for the players to be ready to play again," Benitez said. "In the end, Gerrard and Torres were the key."

Goals: Gerrard (60) 1-0; Torres (82) 2-0; Voronin (90) 3-0; Santa Cruz (90) 3-1.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Lucas, Alonso (Riise 87); Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 58); Torres (Veronin 85). Substitutes not used: Itandje, Hyypia.

Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock; Reid, Bentley, Vogel (Dunn 73), Pedersen (Dunn 73); Santa Cruz, Roberts. Substitutes not used: Brown, Ooijer, Mokoena.

Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).

Booking: Liverpool Skrtel.

Man of the match: Gerrard.

Attendance: 43,287.

Spanish record-breaker
Fernando Torres is the first Liverpool player to score in seven consecutive home League games
13 April v Blackburn (1 goal)
8 April v Arsenal (1)
30 March v Everton (1)
15 March v Reading (1)
8 March v Newcastle (1)
5 March v West Ham (3)
23 Feb v Middlesbrough (3)

Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool Echo: David Moores Opening His Heart

2008-04-13T10:48:00.002+08:00

David Moores: I'm shell-shocked at the damage being done to Liverpool Football Club
Apr 12 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

A HEARTBROKEN David Moores today called on Liverpool's warring co-owners to sort out their differences for the good of the club – or else stand aside and let someone else take over.

In his first interview since selling the club to Tom Hicks and George Gillett in February 2007, Moores told the ECHO how:

* He was left disgusted by the treatment of chief executive Rick Parry by Tom Hicks

* He believes Hicks and Gillett must either find common ground or walk away

* He feels let down by the “unacceptable” way the club has been run since he relinquished ownership

l He will do everything he can to get the club back on an even keel after so much turmoil.
Moores, who continues to act as honorary life president at Anfield and who maintains a place on the Liverpool board, said: “It's heartbreaking. I'm almost lost for words about the damage that's being done to the club at the present time.

“As a fan, and as someone who loves the club, it is totally unacceptable to see this being played out in the public arena.

“This is most certainly not what the club is about. In fact, I can't ever remember, even going back to when I was a supporter as a kid, stuff being played out in public like we have seen in the last six months.

“It is embarrassing and it is not an acceptable way of doing things.

“I've never known anything like it and I'm just absolutely shell-shocked.”

As far as Moores is concerned, one of the most upsetting things of all is the way the success Liverpool enjoyed on the pitch in beating Arsenal to make it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League has been almost forgotten amidst the off-field turmoil which has erupted since Hicks called on Parry to resign.

“The most heartbreaking thing about all of this is that we were on such a high after the Arsenal game on Tuesday night and then this comes along and completely takes over the great things the players and the manager did,” he said.

“The wonderful success they had that night has been completely diminished, it is completely gone, because of all of this being brought out into the open.

“All I can say is I feel very sorry that it has come to this, that how great it was on the night has been taken over by something which should have been dealt with in a far more delicate way and certainly not in public.

“It certainly doesn't help the team, because they're not getting all the praise they should be getting because of other things are taking priority.

“Everyone should be going on about how well they performed and how brilliant Rafa's tactics were. I mean, for goodness sake, three Champions League semi-finals in just four years is an unbelievable achievement.

“But the gloss has been taken off it and you should never do that.”
When Moores stepped down as owner, he welcomed Hicks and Gillett to the club but has become increasingly concerned at their apparent inability to act as “custodians” as they had promised and also their seeming lack of willingness to put the club ahead of their own personal interests.
And he today called on them to resolve their differences or leave the way clear for someone else to own the club who can provide the unity and stability it needs.

He said: “I didn't know Hicks very well, I knew George a lot better.

“George came across as a bubbly, enthusiastic man who loves his sport and is knowledgeable about it.

“But he didn't have the money to do the deal without bringing someone else on board.

“It was really right at the end that I met Tom Hicks so I didn't really get a chance to get to know him but I took George's word for it.

“It was in total good faith. I believed these fellas, I believed everything they said to me and they said it all again to the fans via the media and you can judge for yourselves whether they kept their promises.

“I am surprised because I thought that the pair of them, from what they said to me and to the fans through the media, that they appreciated the heritage and the values of the club.

“They talked about putting the money in and the new stadium and having no debt on the club. At the time I think we all felt it would be a good deal but it's not all materialised.

“I do feel let down. With everything that's going on, I have to feel let down.

“This is not how I foresaw it and I'm sure it's not how the fans foresaw it.

“If I could have afforded to take the club forward I would have done, but I couldn't. I didn't have the sort of money you need for a new stadium and £30-40m a year for new players.

“So I had no option. I would love to still be in charge but I would have held the club back.

“That's why I am asking these two gentlemen to think of the club, not their own kudos.

“The fans, the manager and the team all deserve better than this.

“We should now be focusing on continuity, stability and working our socks off towards enjoying what will hopefully be a super night in Moscow.

“But when things are played out like they are at present it virtually makes the club a laughing stock and that's not acceptable.

“How can they be acting as custodians when they are split down the middle?”

He added: “It needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. The two owners don't agree on a way forward and unity is essential.

“They have got to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of the club, its values, its traditions and its heritage.

“They have to do what is best for the club and get it sorted as quickly as possible because what is happening at the moment is not doing it any good.

“I think the damage can be repaired but those two gentlemen have got to come to a quick agreement about the way forward.

“You would have to say if they can't do it then they will have to stand aside and let someone else do it.

“I can't say what these two gentlemen will do. Will they sell? I don't know.”

Having seen Liverpool suffer greatly in recent weeks as the battle between the two owners continues to rage, Moores today committed himself to doing everything in his power to get the club back on an even keel.

“We have got to keep the ship going and I will try my best, and I'm sure Rick will, that we will go on and try to get success at the end of the season, try to get off the politics and concentrate on what's happening on then pitch.

“You look at the fans and as everyone keeps saying they are like a 12th man.

“They were unbelievable again the other night and they deserve better than what's going on at present.

“All I can promise them is that I will do my damnedest to make certain that the club comes through this and we get back to concentrating on what happens on the pitch not off it.

“It is not my club anymore but I will do everything I can and I would like to give a huge vote of thanks to the fans for the wonderful support they have given the manager and the team.

“European nights at Anfield are something you wouldn't see anywhere else. They are unique, unbelievable and the fans make it that way.”

More backroom shenanigans - Parry to be sack?

2008-04-12T09:15:00.004+08:00

After the monumental achievement in reaching our 3rd semi-finals in 4 years, Hicks decided it was high time for Parry to go. Most of us would happily see the back of him, but the manner of how this was conducted was of utter shame: imagine learning you'll be ask to resign through the ticker on SkySports.

What ever happen to the "Liverpool Way" of conducting our business behing close door? It's as if it theres not enough dirty linens already being washed in public the past couple of months. Congrats Hicks! You've self-signed your death warrant.

Liverpool Echo will run an exclusive story where David Moores will open his heart on the current shameful situation in Anfield. We will post excerpts and links to the article once its up later today. Be sure to check back.

Check out Tony Barrett's article on the situation below. It's taken from the Liverpool Echo , click on the link to acces the article directly:

Liverpool FC crisis: Tony Barrett on the boardroom war that's split Anfield in two
Apr 11 2008 By Tony Barrett Liverpool Echo

IT WAS only a little over 12 months ago when Rick Parry told Liverpool's outgoing shareholders that the club would be in safe hands with Tom Hicks and George Gillett. at the helm.

Today, Parry will no doubt be regretting his ringing endorsement of Hicks, who has plunged the knife deep into the back of Liverpool's chief executive by telling him to quit.

The shock demand was delivered to Anfield by letter yesterday afternoon, while Parry was at FA headquarters in London. making an unsuccessful attempt to have Javier Mascherano's extra one game ban overturned Parry was blissfully unaware of the letter. The first he knew of it was via text messages from family members asking if the story breaking on TV was accurate.

There had been no board meeting to discuss his position as protocol demands, nor had there been any verbal communication from Hicks.to suggest that his position was under threat.
Despite this, Parry was not shocked by the dramatic turn of events, mainly because members of the Hicks clan have made no secret of their desire to see the 53-year-old ousted from the club during recent visits to Anfield.

The timing was also unsurprising, coming two days after Parry had accompanied Gillett on a visit to the city centre office of Liverpool's commercial director Ian Ayre, who is viewed by the pair as Hicks's ally on Merseyside.

The ECHO understands Gillett gave Ayre only 15 minutes’ warning that he wanted to meet him, and on arrival launched into a tirade, reminding Ayre he answers to Gillett as well as Hicks.

It was now Gillett and Parry against Hicks and Ayre.

As soon as he learned of Ayre's dressing- down by Gillett, Hicks hit the roof, and hearinghat Parry was also present only served to hardened his desire to see Parry removed.
Sources in the Hicks camp insist this meeting was not the catalyst for yesterday's developments, and that the Dallas-based businessman had simply been waiting for the three matches against Arsenal to end before making his move. They also say Hicks could not afford to wait until the end of the season to make his move because a new chief executive would have to be found in readiness for the busy pre-season period.

The ECHO understands that Tom Hicks junior has been informing friends in Liverpool for the past six weeks that they want Parry out. so there was no need to wait until the Arsenal games to be out of the way – yesterday's dramatic move could have been made at any point before then

On February 26, the ECHO was made aware of Hicks's desire to sack Parry and sent him an email asking if he was planning on firing him. But Hicks refused to answerthe question, saying: "I won't comment on management."

The boardroom battle has been going on for some time but much of the fighting has taken place behind closed doors. Now it’s on open show.

The fact that the internecine battle for Liverpool was played out on a satellite news channel yesterday will greatly upset Anfield traditionalists and those who continue to cherish the much fabled "Liverpool Way".

As will the revealing of private discussions between Rafa Benitez and Hicks about misgivings the manager has over Parry's ability in the transfer market.

Benitez has been privately critical of Parry for some time, and was particularly irked over the loss of long-time target Florent Malouda to Chelsea, but Benitez has never made his concerns public. Yesterday, Benitez was no doubt as shocked as Parry to see such detail laid bare. Similarly, Liverpool’s players will be at least disappointed and at worst disgusted that their magnificent achievement of reaching the Champions League semi-finals in such glorious circumstances three days ago will now be overshadowed by yet more unseemly events off the field.

Hicks’s decision to go public with his call for Parry to quit could simply come down to the fact that he does not have the power or the authority to sack him.
It would take a majority vote by the Liverpool board to sanction a dismissal of such a high ranking employee and the current make-up of the board means Parry's position is safe.
With Gillett, his son Foster and life president David Moores all supporting Parry, Hicks and son Tom junior would be out-voted, and with Parry having no intention of quitting there is an impasse.

It is the most bitter of power struggles, one with no immediate sign of resolution
That is the reason why Dubai International Capital's chief executive Sameer Al-Ansari produced a bombshell of his own yesterday, announcing DIC were shelving their bid to buy Liverpool.
DIC's desire to buy the club has not lessened but they believe a deal remains impossible while the boardroom rows continue.

Hicks remains unwilling to sell to DIC while Gillett has previously indicated his willingness to do a deal. But in recent weeks both men have attempted to put in place the finance to buy the other out.

In the current credit crunch the possibility of that happening remains slim. as even the world's biggest financial organisations are unwilling to lend out the kind of capital required to fund such a venture and It seems likely that Unless either party can attract a second party as an investor, Hicks and Gillett seem stuck with each other for the time being. at least.
The ECHO understands a "first refusal" agreement between the Americans, in which one must offer his slice of the club to the other before selling to a third party, does not come to an end until the end of May.

That is an unpalatable thought for everyone at Liverpool, as one senior Anfield figure put it today: "We simply cannot go on like this, one of them has to go.

"We've got a European Cup semi-final coming up and maybe even a final, all this is doing is damaging the team's chances.

"How can owners act like this?"

If rapid change does not occur then the position of manager Benitez will inevitably be brought into question.

The Reds boss has been a patient figure as civil war has raged around him, and has managed to keep his players focused despite the obvious distractions.

But basic common sense tells us that the position he is in, with two bosses at loggerheads and the club's entire decision process now so complex and fraught, is not one which any manager would enjoy, never mind one with the kind of CV which would inevitably be attractive to Europe's top clubs.

Up to now, Benitez has avoided taking sides in the battle but yesterday he found himself dragged into it by Hicks.

It is a similar situation for the Liverpool fans who are now taking sides and worryingly for Hicks, it seems that many of them are backing Parry against him.

Parry is not a particularly popular figure among Liverpool's fan base and many have not forgiven him for the role he played in the tickets fiasco ahead of last year's European Cup Final.
But there is something about the way Hicks is currently conducting club business which means the American’s every move has the potential to backfire.

It is all so different to a year ago when Hicks was given the seal of approval by Parry in that fateful letter of his own to shareholders.

At the time he said of Hicks and Gillett "To them, our virtues, heritage and culture are precious assets that will help to inspire everyone connected with us to continue to strive for further success – both on and off the field."

Having now been told to depart so abruptly, Parry's opinion of Hicks will today be quite different.

UCL Post Match Comments: Liverpool 4 v Arsenal 2 (Final Agg: 5-3)

2008-04-09T09:44:00.004+08:00

Rafael Benitez's Liverpool men come back from the dead again
April 9, 2008 by Martin Samuel as taken from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article3709457.ece

When the noise had subsided, the victors and vanquished departed, when Anfield was at last silent, empty and still, the question remained: why? What was it that possessed a defender as experienced as Kolo Touré to take fright, to be so terrified at the prospect of lasting just six minutes at this remarkable arena that he should give away the penalty that cost his team the game and the dream of a first Champions League crown?

And the answer will come back: it was Liverpool. It was this club, this particular team, and what they have come to represent in Europe. Touré was disturbed by the legend of a Liverpool who will not lie down, who return from the dead like The Shape in John Carpenter’s Halloween films. Remember that scene in the pitch-black bedroom when the monster rises again, his white mask all that is visible in the darkness? On nights such as this, Liverpool are like that: unstoppable, remorseless, their power inexplicable.

They were beaten, make no mistake of that; or they should have been. In the 84th minute, when Emmanuel Adebayor tapped a cross by Theo Walcott into a net guarded only by José Manuel Reina, the goalkeeper, as Liverpool’s defence lay scattered across the field, the score on the night was 2-2 and the game was over.

Arsenal were going through on away goals and Chelsea lay in wait. What followed defied explanation, or belief. From the next attack, the very next attack, Ryan Babel, the Liverpool substitute, broke down the left, strode into the Arsenal penalty area and Touré pulled him back. Why? Only he knows. It cannot have been pace because defenders deal with pace all the time. It cannot have been Babel’s fearsome reputation as a marksman, either; no Ian Rush, he. Maybe even Touré doesn’t know what possessed him. Who knows why rational people fear the bogeyman?

The penalty was given in an instant by Peter Fröjdfeldt, the referee from Sweden. Steven Gerrard stepped up, struck the ball to the right of Manuel Almunia, the goalkeeper, and scored. Soon after, Babel held off Cesc Fàbregas to give the scoreline a conclusiveness it did not entirely deserve, but that will become part of Liverpool’s mythical status, too.

Looking at the Barclays Premier League table, scrolling through a grisly roll call of victims, there is no logical justification for their presence in the last four of the Champions League, just as there was none for their path to the final last year, or in 2005. They beat better teams on the way, won in circumstances when other teams would have surrendered, were given the last rites and pronounced dead at the scene, before grabbing the attendant by the throat on the slab in the morgue, making everyone jump.

Yet while the particular circumstances may elude reason, to scratch beneath the surface of this win, look at the second Liverpool goal. It was the reason Arsenal were so jittery, the distilled essence of everything Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, was trying to achieve. The finish, a thing of grace and beauty from Fernando Torres. The set-up, a route-one clearance with more than a hint of old-style Wimbledon from Reina. In between, the merest touch from the pylon-like presence that is Peter Crouch. Combined, it should have won the game for Liverpool. Tellingly, it was always intended to.

Managers bristle at being given the long-ball label, but it is no criticism to say that Benítez set his team up in a manner as unorthodox as anything seen in this country since Graham Taylor’s first spell at Watford. He played, in essence, 4-2-4 with Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt kept consistently high on the flanks, Gerrard coming inside from dead balls and clearances only to allow Crouch to use his height against Touré, Arsenal’s makeshift right back.

The jury is out on the extent of the touch Crouch got to Reina’s long kick in the 69th minute, but it did its job in unsettling the Arsenal defence and allowing Torres to turn, with far too much space in the penalty area, before lashing his shot past Almunia. It was this targeting of Arsenal’s defensive weakness that Liverpool had been searching for.

Often, it was not pretty to watch, and purists would have got most out of the first 25 minutes when Arsenal passed Liverpool off the park — as they did here earlier in the season — but Benítez has since fashioned the best way to beat Arsenal and he stuck to it right up until the last 12 minutes when he removed Crouch, introduced Babel and, irony of ironies, pace won him the game.

Benítez will not see it that way, of course. He will insist that his direct tactics earned Liverpool a 2-1 lead that should not have been surrendered, and he has a point. The problem with his game plan initially was that it relied heavily on getting the ball up to Crouch for knockdowns and by its nature that can make play haphazard.

Against this barrage, Arsenal’s intricate passing game looked even more alien. Had so many of the trappings around Anfield not belonged to the branded, packaged billion-dollar industry that is 21st-century football, this could have been a European Cup tie from the 1970s: one team continental in origin, the other as English as pudding and rain in July. The difference was these Englishmen were mostly foreigners, marshalled by a Spaniard.

The game was made by the fact that Arsenal scored from the first clear-cut chance of the night, an outstanding sequence of passes that resulted in the ball pinging around the outskirts of the Liverpool penalty area before finding its way to Alexander Hleb. He played Abou Diaby in and the Frenchman, included at the expense of Robin van Persie, the forward, beat Reina with a ferocious shot at his near post.

Gradually, Liverpool began to apply the aerial pressure that has caused problems for Arsenal this season. In the 30th minute, a left-sided cross by Fábio Aurélio, the full back, took a deflection and was palmed out for a corner by Almunia. Gerrard took it, Sami Hyypia lost Philippe Senderos, perhaps for ever, and headed into the far corner, where Fàbregas came up short, in the true sense of the phrase, much like Arsenal’s season.

Liverpool (4-2-4): J M Reina — J Carragher, M Skrtel, S Hyypia, F Aurélio — X Alonso, J Mascherano — S Gerrard, P Crouch (sub: R Babel, 78min), F Torres (sub: J A Riise, 86), D Kuyt. Substitutes not used: C Itandje, A Voronin, Y Benayoun, Á Arbeloa, Lucas Leiva.

Arsenal (4-4-1-1): M Almunia — K Touré, W Gallas, P Senderos, G Clichy — E Eboué (sub: T Walcott, 71), F Fàbregas, M Flamini (sub: Gilberto Silva, 41), A Diaby (sub: R van Persie, 71) — A Hleb — E Adebayor. Substitutes not used: J Lehmann, A Song, N Bendtner, J Hoyte. Booked: Senderos, Touré.

Referee: P Fröjdfeldt (Sweden).

Goal Highlights:

UCL: LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL: FINAL GAME 3 OF 3

2008-04-06T22:57:00.002+08:00

This is it MyRAWKites, the OUR FINEST HOUR!

THE FINAL INSTALLMENT OF THE LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL TRILOGY!

LIVERPOOL FC VS ARSENAL FC

SERIES 3: ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL
DATE: APRIL 9, 2008-WEDNESDAY
TIME: 2:30AM
CHANNEL: ESPN 812

EPL Match Report: Arsenal 1 vs Liverpool 1

2008-04-06T08:44:00.005+08:00

Wenger loses his cool and title grip

Arsène Wenger berated his players, berated the referee. As frantic as the game refusing to bend to his will, he paced his technical area, chased down footballs to restart play, then bent over, almost doubled, balling his fists and screaming across the Ashburton Grove turf. Seasoned observers remember seeing Wenger like this just once before. And he lost a title that day, too.

Episode II – The calm before the storm

When the team line-ups were announced, nobody was surprised that Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez made changes to their team. What was even more surprising was the introduction of a certain 20 year old French debutant, Damien Plessis. His position was to be in the middle of Liverpool’s midfield in a surprised 4-1-4-1 formation for the day. In maintaining some conformity, only Reina, Skrtel and Carragher were retained from the previous match to face Arsenal again.

For Arsenal though, Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Flamini and Fabregas were retained to give the Arsenal team some extra incentive. This was to break down a changed Liverpool team whose priority lies in the Champions League. This is to provide Arsenal with a fringe of a chance of maintaining their challenge for the EPL crown this season.

So it seems.

The match started slowly enough with both changed or rotated depending the view for sides that were probing each other. Not a threat to each other’s goal. Seemingly, the Liverpool’s Daniel Plessis appeared calm and composed when faced with Arsenal’s ‘experienced’ youngsters and gave an assured opening few minutes.

However, moving far away from dullness Peter Crouch crafted an opening in the 4th minute and immediately tested Almunia with a 40 yard shot which was well on target and had to be tipped over. The visitors were looking more assured and assertive including a Peter Crouch swift move away in a one-on-one with Manuel Almunia had the linesman not incorrectly flagged for offside.
In full confidence of playing like a member of the 1st eleven, Daniel Plessis was enjoying his debut at the Emirates. In one swift move of making possession in the centre circle, he played the ball into Peter Crouch who then saw the marauding Riise and played an amazing through ball which Riise did well to collect the ball just outside the penalty box but alas, Riise’s right foot shot posed no threat to Almunia.

Subsequently, Yossi Benayoun had a golden opportunity. He was played through on the right by the ever impressive Crouch and Benayoun in his moment of haste and indecision, played neither a shot nor a cross as it went harmlessly wide with Riise too far away at the other to retrieve the cross-shot.

At the Gunners end, there was intelligent inter-play between Fabregas, Eboue and Gilberto. The triple combination were doing well and were making inroads into the Liverpool end. In once of those moves, they created a half chance for Bentner just outside the penalty box but he scuffed the shot harmless straight into the greatful arms of Pepe Reina.

Just before half time, Reina pumped a long kick towards Crouch and beat Toure to the ball by playing a one two pass with Benayoun and at tandem together enabled Crouch pushing aside Willam Gallas who was watching him closely, to releas a powerful shot that just landed between Alumina and the post.

1-0 to Liverpool just before half time!

It was a well deserve lead as a ‘second string’ Liverpool side proved more than match for Arsenal’s seasoned youngsters. In tribute to Liverpool, it was really strange and odd to hear the traveling kop singing the Torres song when Crouch scored. This is especially so when Torres wasn’t even in the pitch!!

A tribute to Peter Crouch to being as the same class level as Fernando Torres, maybe?

In the 2nd half, Arsenal came back into the match via some neat set pieces and Toure almost equalized when the ball flew millimeters away from the post. Suddenly, the Liverpool defence looked vulnerable and a subsequent free-kick conceded by Pennant, Cesc Fabregas curled a brilliant ball right into the heart of the Liverpool defence and whilst Reina did not come out to meet the ball, Bendtner jumped highest to meet the ball and headed home to lift the home crowd at Emirates Stadium.

1-1 and game on and the momentum had swung to the home side of the Emirates though the crowd was not totally behind their team.

Not even a teeny bit.

Wenger sensed blood and duly sent in Adebayour into the fray to win the match and retain their rights to challenge Manchester United and Chelsea at the top. This was to the death for the EPL Crown this season as the Gunners were leading earlier in the season.

The introduction of Adebayour changed the complexion of the game and the home side had regained the momentum. The Liverpool defence were now working overtime alongside with the midfielders equally working hard to close down the Arsenal onslaught. There were some shouts for penalty from the Arsenal fans when Fabregas went down in the penalty box seemingly a repeat of the earlier game ala Episode I when Lucas Leiva was the culprit this time for shirt-pulling. At this point, furor would be an understatement, as Arsene Wenger was the more animated of the two managers. Whether it was agitation or annoyance, Wenger was disappointed that his team had not created more to put Liverpool to the sword.

Rafale Benitez made changes too to counter Arsenal’s rising dominance in the 2nd half by bringing in Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin whilst Wenger brought it Alexander Hleb and Gael Clichy to add more penetration from the wings.

With Arsenal pushing up in pursuit of the winning goal to sustain their EPL chance, Liverpool counter-attacked. Liverpool found several gaps and created some half chances which was not taken, most notably, when Voronin, playing between the lines and managed to round Manuel Almunia only to drag it a little too wide. Pity, that he did not have a left shooting foot as the ball spun harmlessly and slowly out for a goal kick!

What a waste!

In the closing minutes of the game in injury time, a beautifully cross from the right found Hleb with acres of space with Finnan drifting centre. Unfortunately, for Arsenal faithful, Hleb miscontrolled the ball slightly and Finnan was able to recover and the danger was curtailed and with that final chance, the match ended and with that the end of Arsenal’s challenge in the EPL this season

Mathematically, it is still possible, but it would require the capitulation of both Chelsea and Manchester United. It is a remote possibility for this is football.

All in all, an assured debut outing for a 20 year old Damien Plessis whose dandy long legs and playing style looked similar to our adopted German Scouser Dietmar Hammann, Nothing fancy, just calm and basic passing and closing down opposition play. A potential gem in the rough waiting to be cut.

It is of no wonder why, Momo Sissoko was permitted to leave in the January 2008 transfer window!

Now, with both series ending in draws, we move on to the crucial final of the trilogy at Anfield – The Return of the Champions League King?

All Liverpool FC fans and football romantics must be praying and hoping it to come true. For a night playing in Europe, Liverpool FC endears itself to the legends of European club football.

Man of the match: Damien Plessis

Far from all of Rafa Benítez's numerous Liverpool recruits have succeeded, but the French midfielder's debut bodes well. Tall and mobile, if occasionally wild in the tackle, Plessis positioned both ball and body accurately. 'To play as well as he did in this stadium means we're going in the right direction,' said Benítez.

___________________________________________________
Goals:
Crouch (42') , Bendtner (54')

Arsenal:
(4-1-4-1)
Manuel Almunia, Emmanuel Eboue, William Gallas, Justin Hoyte (Emmanuel Adebayor), Kolo Toure, Armand Traore (Gael Clichy), Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini (Alex Hleb), Gilberto Silva, Nicklas Bendtner, Theo Walcott

Liverpool :
(4-5-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Martin Skrtel, Yossi Benayoun (Andriy Voronin), Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant (Steven Gerrard), Plessis, John Arne Riise, Peter Crouch (Fernando Torres)

Referee:
Dowd, P

Venue:
Emirates Stadium

Attendance:
60,111

Man of the match:
Damien Plessis ( Liverpool )

Corners:
Arsenal - 5
Liverpool - 3

Goal Attempts:
Arsenal - 8
Liverpool - 11

On Target:
Arsenal - 6
Liverpool - 4

Booked:
Arsenal: - Eboue ( '67 )
Liverpool: - Riise ( '30 ) , Pennant ( '54 )

Champions League Match Report: Arsenal 1 vs Liverpool 1

2008-04-03T08:47:00.004+08:00

Dirk Kuyt puts Liverpool in sight of semis

By Henry Winter from the Telegraph.co.uk with editions from Albertus Lim

Advantage to Liverpool. This is a side that shows a real European experience, Rafa Benitez's side absorbed everything that Arsenal threw at them here last night, and will believe they can reach the semi-finals at an impassioned Anfield next week Tuesday. Myself was stuck in a mamak called the Al-Meerasa at the old Paramount Theater now converted to a Giant Supermarket. And of all peoples, I watched it with a gooner (Yes! Callen, if your'e reading this! HA! HA!)

The game was billed as a very English affair, this first leg was shaped by goals from a Togo international, Emmanuel Adebayor, and a Dutchman, Dirk Kuyt, who equalised. Arguably the most impressive performer was the Argentinian, Javier Mascherano, who delivered a determined 90-minute shift of ball-winning and simple distribution.


	Quick reply: Dirk Kuyt levels for Liverpool within three minutes of Arsenal's opener

At half time, I managed to meet some Liverpool fans sitting nearby. Sean, Anand and Lowell, good to have met your acquaintance and I hope to see you in our MyRAWK events. I hope I got your names right though. By the way, with all the trash talking we got from the gooners, this is sweet tasting revenge.

Next stop, same stop. They reconvene here in the Premier League on Saturday, when surely changes will be made by Wenger and Benitez to keep their stars fresh for Tuesday's resumption of Champions League combat. Liverpool have the belief, and the away goal, although they had to come from behind last night.

It was little surprise that it had required a set-piece to break the deadlock. As crowded as a Tube carriage in rush hour, midfield provided no room to breathe, let alone move. Ken Livingstone could have extended his Congestion Charge to this green swathe off the Holloway Road and made a fortune. With both sides deploying lone strikers, space was at a premium in the centre.

Steven Gerrard was hounded into surrendering possession by Emmanuel Eboue, who promptly lost it to another tackle from Mascherano. With Cesc Fabregas increasingly prominent, Arsenal hinted at being the first to impose their undoubted skill, to find a path out of the midfield maze.

It took Adebayor's 23rd-minute goal from a corner to open the game up, to throw down the gauntlet that Liverpool immediately seized with an almost instant equaliser. Fabregas and Robin van Persie looked to orchestrate a corner on Arsenal's right, the presence of such deft feet, left and right, instilling doubt in Liverpool's defence, allowing Adebayor his split-second of fruitful freedom.

It was the left foot of Van Persie that connected first with the ball, tapping it to Fabregas, who immediately laid it back. Van Persie, whose intelligent use of possession has been much missed this season, curled it into the box with just enough trajectory to keep it away from Pepe Reina.

Liverpool's keeper watched in frustration as Adebayor eluded Sami Hyypia and headed firmly in. Jamie Carragher threw his hands up in anger at conceding such a soft goal to Adebayor. He ran behind Reina's goal, beating his right hand against the club crest on his shirt as supporters celebrated his 24th goal of the season. The relief at scoring appeared to relax Arsenal momentarily, and Liverpool took advantage within three minutes.

The move began slowly, Liverpool parading the Continental trick of knowing when to race through the gears. Ryan Babel dragged the ball down the left and suddenly flicked it inside to Gerrard, who in turn found Fernando Torres. They now have such an understanding that Gerrard was already off and running, knowing that Torres would work the ball back to him.

When it came, Gerrard's response was superb, the midfielder embarking on the kind of left-footed dribble that John Barnes was admired for. Eboue raced across to close Gerrard down, but Liverpool's captain simply guided the ball expertly around him.

As Gerrard's burning ambition threatened to harm Arsenal, Kolo Toure rushed across like a panicky fire-man. He, too, was beaten by Gerrard, who again neatly manoeuvred the ball around a red shirt. Mathieu Flamini dived in to block Gerrard's cross, but he was too late. The ball was speeding inexorably into the middle where Kuyt, making light of Gael Clichy's presence, turned the ball in.

And as Mark Lee's text message said it, "Back At You!", we were in for a joyride. I call it a big relief as this is what Liverpool playing in Europe is all about.

The game swung back Arsenal's way, Wenger's men enjoying 61 per cent of first-half possession. Liverpool had to show their defensive zeal. Fabio Aurelio slid in with a magnificent challenge on Adebayor. Hyypia showed all his experience in timing his tackle to thwart the onrushing Toure.

Wenger unleashed Walcott, who immediately sprinted down the left after winning the ball off Martin Skrtel and then firing in a fierce shot that Reina just tipped away. The incident happened so quickly that the otherwise excellent referee, Pieter Vink, missed Reina's touch and awarded a goalkick.

Liverpool were increasingly penned back, troubled by Walcott's electric pace. He made another purposeful run into the box, soon cutting the ball across to Eboue. He struck it well enough, but Skrtel was on the line to clear.

Having impressed for an hour, allowing two Premier League sides to play their game, the Dutch referee then made a bad mistake. Alexander Hleb, hitherto quiet, darted into the back, getting goalside of Kuyt, who panicked. Vink bizarrely overlooked Kuyt's clear tug back on Hleb, his left-arm movement more suitable to an amateur tango class. Hleb, dragged down, could not believe Vink's reaction, pointing to a corner.

Wenger then introduced Nicklas Bendtner, removing Eboue, switching Walcott to the right and realigning in 4-4-2 fashion. Exposed to such high-speed movement, Liverpool's legs began to tire. No one had run more than Xabi Alonso, who had clocked up six miles when taken off with 18 minutes remaining. On came Lucas to charge around midfield.

Mascherano continued to impress, putting in tackle after tackle. Liverpool were fighting for their lives, desperate to protect a scoreline that gives them every chance of progressing.

There was almost a sting in the tail. When Adebayor crossed from the right, Fabregas reached the ball first but his header failed to trouble Almunia. Liverpool stood firm. The mood of Arsenal lifted only with news of Chelsea's first-leg demise at Fenerbahce.

As Mark easily puts it. "Phew!" We live to fight another day, and that day is at Anfield next week on Wednesday morning.

___________________________________________________
Goals:
Adebayor (23') , Kuyt (26')

Arsenal:
(4-4-2)
Manuel Almunia, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue (Nicklas Bendtner , 67 ), William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Toure, Cesc Fabregas, Mathieu Flamini, Alex Hleb, Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin van Persie (Theo Walcott , 45 )

Liverpool :
(4-2-3-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso (Lucas Leiva , 77 ), Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun , 58 ), Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres (Andriy Voronin , 86 )

Referee:
Pieter Vink

Venue:
Emirates Stadium

Attendance:
60,041

Man of the match:
Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)

Corners:
Arsenal - 6
Liverpool - 3

Goal Attempts:
Arsenal - 11
Liverpool - 4

On Target:
Arsenal - 5
Liverpool - 4

Booked:
Arsenal: -
Liverpool: -

Arsenal v Liverpool
Uploaded by footister20

BIG GAME SERIES OF 3 : LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL - SAT APRIL 5TH @ 7:30PM AT THE M BAR. FIRST 100 PEOPLE TO ARRIVE WILL GET A FREE GIFT COURTESY OF CARLSBERG. ALSO REMEMBER YOUR LFC HISTORY AS THERE WILL BE PRIZES TO GIVE AWAY!

My thoughts on Dirk Kuyt, Quality or Quantity? by Julez

2008-04-01T11:50:00.003+08:00

QUANTITY OR QUALITY?

Dirk Kuyt costs us 10 million quid and was bought to score goals, nothing more, nothing less. Last season he did fairly well and scored some goals. No one can ever fault his work rate but we didn’t pay 10m quid for a guy to run, run, and run. This season he has been our worst player with the exception of Sissoko. He plays well in a game or two but in this level and for this club, we can ill afford these kinds of performances. We need quality class playing week in and week out. By playing Dirk Kuyt in the Liverpool FC first team is like playing every game with ten men as he does not offer Liverpool FC the striking threat. Yet he gets 90 minutes of playing time almost every other week.

Here’s how Benitez gets it all wrong. Why is he being played as a winger when he should be playing as a backup striker? We should be playing Benayoun or Pennant out on the wing because they offer a width of a goal threat.

In my mind, Dirk Kuyt has should be sold as no manager in my mind should be around for another season. Then again, this makes you wonder Peter Crouch’s lack of contribution to the Liverpool FC 1st eleven. Does Peter Crouch not offer strategic value to the team for Rafael Benitez? My thoughts are that he should have started against Manchester United together with Fernando Torres to begin with! He would have caused problems for the Man Utd defense led by the out-of-sorts Ferdinand in terms of height and strategy. Instead, I feel we just made it easier for Man Utd by playing Dirk Kuyt.

It is to my attention that others say that Dirk Kuyt is playing the wings because we do not have players capable enough in that role. However, why are Benayoun and Pennant are kept on the reserves bench? Benitez tactics are questionable when Dirk Kuyt is selected every week to play. His work rate and running is good but the English Premier League is not the London marathon. We need goals and Dirk Kuyt is not helping that cause.

Dirk Kuyt may or may not be Rafael Benitez expensive mistake. However, I doubt that Liverpool FC we will be lucky to get the returns of investment out of him. My suggestions is that Liverpool FC should use Dirk Kuyt as part of an exchange strategy plan to buy an up and coming star or flair player.

MyRAWK Admin: We welcome views from everyone on thoughts on Liverpool FC. However, MyRAWK reserves the right to edit and justify quality content for the sake of Liverpool FC supporters.

COME ONE COME ALL THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 5 2008 @ THE M BAR @ 7:30PM.

You'll Never Walk Alone @ the M BAR - by Mike Tee

2008-04-01T11:06:00.002+08:00

A BIG Major THANKS to MIKE TEE for sending this video clip of us all singing our hearts for the REDS of Liverpool FC.

We look forward to seeing everyone again back at the M BAR this Saturday, April 5, 2008 @ 7:30PM

1st 100 will recieve a walk in gifts courtesy of Carlsberg!

See you and We Shall Not Walk Alone!

LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL BIG GAME SERIES

2008-03-31T09:47:00.005+08:00

This is it MyRAWKites, the BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON! LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A BEST GAMES OF THREE SERIES!

LIVERPOOL FC VS ARSENAL FC in a 3 GAME SERIES (1/4 FINAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE in 2 legs and Premiership Match)

SERIES 1: ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL

DATE: APRIL 3, 2008-THURSDAY

TIME: 2:30AM

CHANNEL: ESPN 812

SERIES 2: ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL

DATE: APRIL 5, 2008- SATURDAY

TIME: 7:30pm

LOCATION: THE M BAR (after Eastin Hotel PJ, Phileo Damansara 1)

No Cover Charge

No Membership Fee

RM30 NETT per jug RM 60 Nett per tower or coke/sprite!

FREE GIFTS AND FREE PRIZES TO ALL MYRAWKITE

FIRST 100 TO ARRIVE TO GET A SPECIAL FREE GIFT COURTESY OF MYRAWK SPONSORS

SERIES 3: ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL
DATE: APRIL 9, 2008-WEDNESDAY
TIME: 2:30AM
CHANNEL: ESPN 812

EPL Match Report: Liverpool 1 vs Everton

2008-03-31T09:29:00.003+08:00

Cool Torres steers Liverpool towards fourth

Kevin McCarra at Anfield
Monday March 31, 2008
The Guardian

Liverpool yearn for the keys to the penthouse but their ow n residence three floors below is coveted fiercely by most of the Premier League's occupants. Everton, comfortably beaten in everything other than the tally of goals, lack the means to achieve the high life. With a five-point lead over their neighbours, Rafael Benítez's squad has more or less clinched a place in next season's Champions League, or at least the qualifying rounds, before it starts this week's quarter-final, with Arsenal, on Wednesday.

When it comes to frustrated ambition, Everton have the most intriguing case history in recent times. Just three years ago they finished fourth in the table, immediately above Liverpool. Since then the Goodison manager, David Moyes, has improved the calibre of his squad, only to discover to his frustration that the Anfield club is pulling away from him.

That sort of daunting realisation is not unique to the Scot. The Premier League is a place of severe distinctions nowadays. Last weekend, Liverpool themselves were beaten 3-0 with scornful ease at Old Trafford. To take the title, if Manchester United are any guide, it now appears that a profusion of talent in the team, on the bench and sometimes left to watch from the stands is going to be required.

While Liverpool are not equipped to that degree, they have been able to retain Steven Gerrard, who has twice been on the verge of leaving for Chelsea, and to attract the £26.5m Fernando Torres. The

Spaniard scored his 21st Premier League goal of the campaign, with 19 of them recorded at Anfield, to settle this derby. Gallingly for Everton, it was overwhelmingly avoidable.

With seven minutes gone, Yakubu Ayegbeni went back towards his own penalty area. It is always debatable whether this readiness to help out the back four should be a cause of fear or gratitude among defenders. On this occasion, the Nigerian was a liability and was
robbed of the ball by Xabi Alonso. Possession moved from Dirk Kuyt to Torres, with the striker staying calm to slip a shot past Tim Howard.

"I think I have scored 15 out of the 19 goals in front of the Kop," he said. "I can't explain it but I'm always confident when I am facing that end of the pitch." It was, though, Gerrard who dominated the game and it is verve of his sort that makes the Premier League so marketable and thrilling. He was also the object of ugly chants from unappreciative Everton fans. "I am really pleased for some players because I didn't like what I heard at some times," said Benítez. "It's a lack of respect."

Gerrard was not distracted. Moments before half-time, a spectacular ball from him to the back post would have been cherished as it deserved had the move not concluded with a scruffy effort from Kuyt. The lack of a second goal had irksome consequences for Benítez. With the match in the balance, he could not take off Gerrard or Torres until it was nearly over. Instead of a rest, they at least had the restorative power of ovations from the crowd.

Everton once more displayed the traits that make them admirable. They are tenacious and Moyes, altering his personnel and tweaking the tactics as the afternoon proceeded, stopped his side from being belaboured by Liverpool. They even occupied territory, but there was not the refinement or sharpness to bring a proper save out of José Reina. The nearest Everton came was a burst inside the box from Yakubu, after 61 minutes, that was halted by a perfect tackle from Sami Hyypia.

Liverpool went through a period this season when leads were not protected so efficiently. "We should have been further ahead by half-time," said Benítez. "We missed a lot of chances and with the experience we've had this year I was concerned that Everton would score."

That menace existed largely in the manager's imagination. By challenging with more purpose and order, Everton mainly ensured that the match would get tedious. Liverpool sized up the situation and concentrated on barricading any avenues down which Everton tried to progress. Spectators had to make do with savouring the occasional memory of the time when there had been more gusto to the play.

Gerrard, for instance, had been exciting when he stepped on to a Torres knock-down and, from the fringes of the area, struck the post a few minutes before half-time. Perhaps, despite the dourness that eventually descended, a more exhilarating Liverpool will emerge in time to come, but no one expects to catch a glimpse of it at the Emirates this week.

_________________________________________________________
Goals:
Torres (6')

Liverpool :
(4-2-3-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard (Peter Crouch , 93 ), Lucas Leiva, John Arne Riise, Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun , 82 ), Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres (Jermaine Pennant , 90 )

Everton:
(4-5-1)
Tim Howard, Tony Hibbert, Joleon Lescott, Phil Neville (Leighton Baines , 62 ), Joseph Yobo, Mikel Arteta, Lee Carsley, Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar (Henriques Manuel Fernandes , 72 ), Ayegbeni Yakubu

Referee:
Howard Webb

Venue:
Anfield

Attendance:
44,295

Man of the match:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Corners:
Liverpool - 11
Everton - 4

Goal Attempts:
Liverpool - 14
Everton - 3

On Target:
Liverpool - 8
Everton - 2

Booked:
Everton:

08'			Carsley
18'			Neville
49'			Pienaar
71'			Jagielka

Liverpool:

89'

Torres

A Marriage Come UNDONE: The full transcript of George Gillett's interview

2008-03-29T19:27:00.004+08:00

George Gillett Jr reveals in a radio interview with radio station Fan590 in Canada that his relationship with Tom Hicks, his partner and co-owner of Liverpool, has completely broken down.

Nick Szczepanik From Times Online March 28, 2008
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/liverpool/article3639926.ece

For the radio interview, please go to http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/videos-pictures/liverpool-audio/liverpool-fc-audio/2008/03/27/george-gillett-on-tom-hicks-and-the-end-of-his-liverpool-fc-dream-100252-20687033/

Interviewer: Where are you now in terms of Liverpool?

George Gillett: (sigh). Oh boy. I think we're at that point where there are things going on, there are pieces on the chessboard being moved, or being contemplated being moved, that I think it would not be helpful for us or the club to comment on. Suffice it to say, however, that our goal from the beginning was to try to be supportive and add to the lustre of this magnificent, storied franchise, and what has happened this year has not done that. We certainly haven't done it on the pitch yet, although we're playing well in the Champions League, but we've had a marginally good year in the Premiership [sic]. Our loss to Man U [sic] last weekend at 3-0 was a heartbreaker because we played them at 11 on 10 because we had Mascherano thrown off for - it's unclear as to what happened, but clearly they sent a referee in with a no-tolerance programme and we apparently made the wrong comment to the new tough referee at the wrong time, and you just can't - It's tough enough to play Man U 11 on 11.

So I think we're at a point now where we want to finish the season out, we want to finish it strongly, play well in the Champions League, Foster and I are going to be going over to the Arsenal game next week, and we've just decided that this is an extraordinary time and we're going to enjoy it, and we're going to be there, and, by God, we're going to try and be a positive influence on this process.

I: How tough has some of the hostility directed at the owners been?

GG: You know, we get, or we have gotten, as many as 2,000 emails a week here, and I would say that 95 per cent of them have been directed at some of the comments made by my partner, and five per cent, have been frankly aimed at both of us - saying, you know, 'Go home, Americans' - but for the most part, as recently as today, we've gotten 25 emails, and I've had conversations with fans who represent important blog sites and so forth, and thay are inviting me to come to the famous pubs, be their guest, see how they sing the songs, or get ready to sing the songs, and there is none of the hostility or animosity that, it is felt, seems to have been directed at others within the ownership group.

I must say, however, that the most difficult part for us has been that, because of the things that have been said that have upset and angered the fans as much towards one or both of us, the fact is that the thing that angers them the most is the prospect that I might sell even one share of stock to my partner. They do not want him to have controlling interest in this club. They don't even want him to have any ownership in the club based on what they're saying and sending to me. So as a result of that, and it has been very difficult for my wife, with the amount that I travel, we have received many phone calls in the middle of the night, threatening us, our lives - death threats. A number of them have come into the office, and Foster and Lauren, my son and daughter-in-law, have received a number of them themselves.
We're very private people, but my phone number is in the phone book. I'm not shy, and if I make a mistake, I'm prepared to take the hit for it. But the private phone numbers, the cellphone number and so forth are apparently on some blog sites and we have received a number of calls. And again, it's interesting - the calls are not against my wife or myself or my son or my daughter-in-law as much as they are against us selling to my partner. So we're rethinking that. Frankly I don't think it's fair for me to put my family in that kind of danger, so instead of thinking about selling, I don't know - maybe we'll think about buying.

I: Bluntly, has this partnership with Mr Hicks become unworkable?

GG: Oh, it has been for some time. But not because of us. We have tried to be co-operative, we have tried to be supportive, but when your public persona is more important than the facts, that makes it very difficult to have a rational relationship.

I: So what is the exit strategy, or the entry strategy, if you will? Is it feasible to buy Hicks out, or more of a wish?

GG: It's hard to say until you put something in writing or you put the money in the bank. That's a speculative answer, any answer I give you. But what I would say is this. We were very fair. We gave our partner a long period of time to try and make the arrangements to buy us out. We didn't put pressure on him, we could not have been a better partner, and he ultimately didn't get to the finish line. In the meantime, because of things he said, the fans' reaction has been so negative towards him, and towards us if we sold to him, that that has now made that an untenable alternative for us.

I: To be clear - the Dubai interest was with you, and he effectively blocked that possibility for you. Is that accurate?

GG: Well, that's another one of the points. (Laughs)

I: Is it accurate, though?

GG: He threatened to.

I: And do you think that deal could have and would have gone ahead?

GG: I think that's certainly one of the things that made the fans upset. Lord knows, they have the money and with oil prices going up every day that's not an issue, and they certainly have the history and their fans. And I think they would have been very responsible owners, so I guess not making that possible, or making that difficult, again didn't endear people to the fans. So as you are saying, there's an awful lot going on here, and much too complicated for me to try and handicap, but what I know is that the fans and the great fabled history of this club deserve better, and we're going to do everything we can to try to provide that, in whatever role we play.

EPL Post Match Report: Manchester United 3 VS Liverpool 0 - by Albertus Lim and Jon Wong

2008-03-24T18:54:00.009+08:00

There is always one moment in every season when, for the team that is going to finish as champions, everything clicks, the worrying stops, all the hard work comes together and everyone knows it is going to be a year to remember.

Before we even go on to speak about our defeat at the hands of the hated Mancs, a big shout out to our sponsors BeDigital who have helped spread the word of Malaysian RED and WHITE KOPites to all over the Klang Valley. We also had visitors from Singapore (Lai and guys great of you to join us in our festivities). Also last but not least Danny, our lad from Liverpool.

Welcome to Malaysia!

Manchester United had already made a convincing case for being the superior team by the time Mascherano paid the price for his dissent. The gulf in class then became wide enough to resemble an embarrassment for Benítez, his players and everyone associated with Liverpool, not least those supporters who were plunged into such a state of shock even their final chorus of "You'll never walk alone" was cut short.

What was obvious in Sundays game was that we were outplayed a lot of the time, even with 11 men. We had our moments in the 2nd half but somehow, everyone chose Sunday to have an off day on the pitch.

Torres was locked out of the game but there is to be no excuse for Steven Gerrard to misplace passes and make bad decisions with the ball in possession. The players we have, still lack flair and creativity as I've often argued. When we play teams that park buses in front of their goal or purely tactical teams, many a times we cannot penetrate and score the goal that counts.

That much I would agree.

But to have to read through all that shite that has been spewing and will spew forth is totally *&!^&#%^!#*^#!. I don't even have the words to describe my feelings.

Don't even get me started on the 1st 2 goals and the Man of the Match, Mr Bennett.

As much as Mascherano deserved to be cautioned for being in the ref's face, he did so only to ask why Torres was booked instead of Scholes who hacked him down. Torres received no protection at all while Sir Alex Ferguson moaning about his pet Cristiano Ronaldo not getting protection from tackles were drawing free kicks all over the place.

Liverpool were dismantled from A to Z, losing to Wes Brown's first goal in almost three years, Cristiano Ronaldo's 34th of the season and a scorching effort from Nani.

The ref also failed to understand and take in the scale of the game and the passion that flows within it when fierce, eternal rivals meet. Tackles will fly and players will fooking curse but the scum was getting cautions for their transgressions while our 1st offences were punished by either cards or freekicks in dangerous positions.

The referee did let himself down but that was later in the game when, in quick succession, Fernando Torres left Nemanja Vidic on the floor and Alvaro Arbeloa brought down Ryan Giggs. Both Liverpool players had already been booked but Bennett appeared to lose his nerve.

Liverpool needed all the help they could get because, at times, they were abject. The frenetic pace of these matches always ensures a higher number of misplaced passes than usual but, even so, Benítez will be alarmed by his team's inability to keep possession and, when they did have the ball, there was a lack of gumption or wit to do anything with it.

It was bewildering, for example, to see Steven Gerrard misdirecting so many passes. Sadly for the manager, the same cannot be said of some of Gerrard's team-mates as they disappeared to the edges. It says everything about United's dominance, with Wayne Rooney at the hub of just about everything, that Edwin van der Sar managed to go the entire game without getting a single scuff of mud on his shorts.

Mark Lee is right and Rafa said it best. Heads up my friends! Walk on.

How the managers compared

Selection

Sir Alex Ferguson Opted for the most experienced line-up at his disposal and, although hindered by a back problem, Rio Ferdinand's return was a no-brainer given his record against Liverpool

Rafael Benítez With only midweek internationals to fret over, and his team in fine form, starting with the side that defeated Reading was a natural choice

Tactics

Ferguson The plan to stifle Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres worked to perfection

Benítez Had no reason to alter the tactics that had brought seven successive victories but the weaknesses of the system were exposed as his main assets were left isolated

_________________________________________________________
Goals:
Brown ( 34' ) , Ronaldo ( 79' ) , Nani ( 81' )

Manchester United:
(4-2-3-1)
Edwin Van der Sar, Wes Brown, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Luis de Abreu Anderson (Carlos Tevez , 73 ), Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs (Luis Carlos Nani , 73 ), Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney

Liverpool :
(4-2-3-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun , 66 ), Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres (John Arne Riise , 83 )

Referee:
Steve Bennett

Venue:
Old Trafford

Attendance:
76,000

Man of the match:
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Corners:
Manchester United - 2
Liverpool - 4

Goal Attempts:
Manchester United - 23
Liverpool - 8

On Target:
Manchester United - 16
Liverpool - 4

Booked:
Manchester United: Ferdinand ( 60 )
Liverpool: Mascherano ( 11 ) , Mascherano ( 44 ) , Torres ( 44 ) , Arbeloa ( 53 )

What Rafael Benitez said at half time in 2005 UCL Final: Liverpool VS AC Milan

2008-03-24T14:51:00.003+08:00

"Don't let your heads drop. All the players who go on the pitch after half-time have to keep their heads held high.

We are Liverpool. You are playing for Liverpool. Do not forget that.

You have to hold your heads high for the supporters. You have to do it for them. You cannot call yourselves Liverpool players if you have your heads down.

If we create a few chances we have the possibility of getting back into this. Believe you can do it and you will.

Give yourself the chance to be heroes."

Rafa Benitez – Half time. Ataturk Stadium- Istanbul, Turkey.

Champions League 2005 Final Liverpool FC VS AC Milan: Full Time 3-3 Penalties: 4-2

25th May 2005

MyRAWK NewsMEDIA in KLANG VALLEY

2008-03-24T11:23:00.005+08:00

Some of you may have seen us all over Kuala Lumpur and in most parts of Selangor. We are pleased to announce that we are indeed all over the Klang Valley to reach out to all you Liverpool FC supporters out there! This is for you for all you KOPites, who wants to know news, transfer, post match and quotes on Liverpool Football Club.

We can be viewed at these locations at TV screens provided by the people from BeDigital (the experts of broadcast multimedia and dynamic digital signage-www.gotobedigital.com):

1. Original Kayu Nasi Kandar– 4 outlets (Kota Damansara, SS2, Aman Suria, Bukit Tinggi)
2. Pelita Nasi Kandar – 5 outlets (SS2, Subang SS15, Bangsar, Jalan Ampang, Ampang Point)
3. Syed Bistro – 3 outlets (Plaza Alam Sentral Shah Alam, SS3, SS6)
4. Devi’s Corner – 2 outlets (TTDI, Hartamas)
5. Bestari Nasi Kandar- 2 outlets (Plaza Damas, Damansara Intan)

The outlets coming VERY soon:

1. My Spicy Corner – 1 outlet (Sungei Way)
2. Bestari Nasi Kandar – 2 outlets (Kelana Parkview, Mont Kiara Solaris)
3. Buharry – 1 outlet (Heritage Row)
4. Restoran Nasi Kandar Kampong Pandan – 1 outlet (Kampung Pandan)

So if your'e out there sipping coffee or having a roti canai or nasi kandar, catch us on all these locations listed above for your news on Liverpool FC.

Manchester United FC VS Liverpool FC Teaser

2008-03-18T11:38:00.009+08:00

The BIG REDs GAME THIS WEEKEND! Manchester United FC vs Liverpool FC. All to play for in the EPL and all of MyRAWK (Malaysian RED and WHITE KOPites) will be there at the M Bar this SUNDAY March 23 @ 8:30PM.

We will be giving out free gifts and prizes from Carlsberg & Bacardi to all LFC supporters!

WE WILL ALSO BE GIVING OUT FREE DOOR GIFTS TO THE FIRST 100 PPL TO ARRIVE! So all you KOPITES come early, ya!

Come on to M Bar (after Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya-Phileo Damansara 1)

No Cover Charge

No Membership Fee

RM30 nett per JUG, RM60 per Tower (2 jugs) or just join for a Coke/Pepsi or 7UP/Sprite

Note: A Big Thank You To Our Sponsors: Carlsberg Malaysia, Bacardi Malaysia and Channel Malaysia

See you at the BIG GAME!

THERE IS ONLY ONE RED AND ITS LIVERPOOL RED!

Liverpool Supporters Union: SONS of SHANKLY

2008-03-17T11:49:00.002+08:00

We stand with our brothers in ANFIELD! YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE! For more information go to http://www.sonsofshankly.com.

Petition to get Tom Hicks out of Liverpool FC

2008-03-17T10:55:00.001+08:00

The petition to get Tom Hicks out of Liverpool FC is now standing at just under 5000 signatures in the first week of it going online.

The aim of this petition is to get as many LFC fans as possible to show their dislike for Tom Hicks to get him out of Liverpool Football Club. Once we have a decent amount of signatures, I will forward the link by email and print off the petition and send it by post to as many people connected to the Club as possible, and hopefully Hicks himself.

Hicks has today terminated talks with DIC about them buying George Gillett's stake in the club, thinking that he has the expertise to take the club forward. Hicks and Gillett claimed they would not refinance the club 'Glazer style' refering to the owners, but have since piled debt on the club. They also went behind Rafa's back to try and get Jurgen Klinsmann in as manager.

Protests have been taking place at Anfield after matches, its obvious Hicks is no longer wanted at the helm. Sign the petition, tell your friends, get as many people as possible to sign so we can try and get this liar out of our club.

To go to the site, please go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/AR10308/petition.html

YNWA

EPL Match Report: Liverpool 2 vs Reading 1, By Will Tan

2008-03-17T10:34:00.009+08:00

The beginning of a new era – the era of the new Crown Prince of Anfield

RAFA retained his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation that has served the team so well in the recent unbeaten run of 6 matches and the only changes were Arbeloa for Hyypia in defence with Carragher and Skrtel in the middle. Arbeloa and Aurelio were tasked with the job of patrolling the sides. Xabi, the new proud dad, was restored in the middle of the park in place of Lucas and sat in front of the defence along side Mascherano whilst Babel and Kuyt was out wide. Gerrard and Torres was retained at the front and the crowd at Anfield was holding their breathe for the GT show.

Reading won the toss for the kick-off and opted to attack the Anfield Road end instead, a phychological ploy as every team in EPL knows that Liverpool prefers to attack the KOP end in the second half. Presumably, this psychological ploy might have worked as we started poorly and our passing was of our usual sub-standards; wayward and crucially, we looked like we playing Barnsley!

On the 5th minute, the referee of the day, Mr. Andre Marriner made the first of mistakes in the match, in awarding a freekick to Reading penalizing Arbeloa who had made a brilliant tackle to dispose Long. Replays showed that Arbeloa was spot on with his claim although it was to no avail. The Liverpool defence had anticipated a long pun into the penalty box but in the end it was driven a cross the penalty box for Matejovsky to hit a brilliant first timed half-volley that sailed across to Pepe’s right leaving him with no chance whatsoever to save it. In truth, it was a brilliantly executed free kick which left Pepe standing and had hardly moved as the ball nestled into goal. The Anfield crowd had been stunned but was not broken knowing that the team in red had plenty of time to get back into the match.

It was all Reading in the next 10 to 15 minutes, taking over the midfield as their confidence grew and the Liverpool players had a spell of misplaced and wayward passing. Slowly but surely Liverpool clawed back into the match with Alonso trying his hand at the goal from just outside the penalty box and it sailed agonizingly millimeters wide of Hahnemann’s left post.

Shortly afterwards, the GT combo showed glimpses of it brilliance again when Gerrard made a telling through pass to his partner in crime, Torres who bore down on Hahnemann’s goal only to have the Reading keeper beat him to it by hundredths of a second. It would have been a different story had Torres had been fresher and rotated and not played in San Siro against Inter last week.

By then on 19th minute, Liverpool were in control of the midfield and Reading rarely threatened the Liverpool defence. But Babel, who had been penetrative on the left side of the attack, fed the ball to Mascherano in the middle of the park, just outside the penalty and he cleverly worked his way past Hunt and blasted a rocket shot to Hahnemann’s left giving the keeper no chance in the Reading goal. It was Mascherano’s first goal and it came in front of the adoring Kop and the Anfield stadium went wild celebrating this gem of a goal from their beloved Monster Masche!! So did all his Liverpool team mates. It was no less than what the lad deserved after his Monster performances in the red shirt since his move from Upton Park.

Rafa's 4-2-3-1 was now in full motion. Hahnemann had to be on his best to prevent a second when Ryan Babel sneaked past two defenders and smashed the ball on target goalwards. There was little backlift that would suggest Babel’s shot would sting the Reading keeper’s hand until it cannoned off Hahnemann’s hands into safety. Babel surely is a gem waiting to be cut into the perfect player for the GT combo given time to mature – probably for next season.

Babel then had a goal chalked off for offside in one of our more effective attacks from the right – a thunderbolt of a diving header but it was a correct decision by the linesman as Babel had been a fraction of a second too slow to react to the Reading defenders moving out.

Three minutes after the restart, Babel earned a free kick about 35 yards outside Hahnemann’s goal and our skipper chipped in a beautifully weighted cross into the penalty box and Hahnemann opted to stay on his line but his defenders hesitated and provided Torres with a free header which was duly accepted for his twentieth (20th) league goal and it was 2-1 to the home team. Torres header was headed with full confidence of a striker on form and he headed it magnificiently across Hahnemann’s right and was dutifully beaten by the pace of Torres’s header. The era of the new crown prince of Anfield, Mr. Torres has just begun …… hopefully with many more goals to come from a the humble Spaniard who is just 23 years old but already with vast international experience and a bag full of tricks and pace which scares the hell out of opposition defenders.

Tackles were starting to fly all over the pitch and frustration were boiling all over as Reading players had trouble keeping up the pace of the match. When Long was subbed by Dave Kitson, the former duly threw his shirt to the ground in front of the manager and was rightfully cautioned by Coppell as a mark of disrespect for the club.

Shortly after Kitson came on, he had a paper thin claim for a penalty after Carragher out muscled him with the ball slowly rolling towards goal before Reina picked it up. Had the claim been given by ref, Andre Marriner it would have been as frivolous as the one awarded against us in the Chelsea match.

There were several half chances created thereafter but the Reading defence, with some luck managed to clear the ball to safety for throw-ins or corner kicks. Frustration began to take its toll on the visitors’ players and Bikey who was lucky to have not been yellow carded earlier, was finally given one for pulling Gerrard down as he was bearing towards their goal. Bikey had already made several rash challenges on Torres, Gerrard, Alonso earlier in the match.

In the final minutes before the end, Reading had a claim for penalty when the ball hit Gerrard’s hand in the penalty box but in truth it was ball to hand and as Gerard’s hands were inwards covering his chest more than anything and the claims were rightly waved away. Seconds later, Hunt came close when Pepe Reina had trouble hold on to his shot. Pepe needed a second chance to hold on to the ball and the Spanish stopper quickly grabbed the ball with several Reading players bearing him down. Immediately after that, Gerrard was subbed by Hyypia to defend another Reading long ball into the Liverpool penalty area.

Hahnemann was instructed to go forward as a last throw of the dice for the freekick but it was cleared by the Liverpool defence and the ball duly landed on Alonso’s feet in the middle and Alonso tried one of his exquisite 70 yard shot from his own half with Hahnemann still behind him. Unfortunately for Alonso, his attempt landed several inches wide of goal. It would have been a fitting end to Alonso’s great day had that gone in after being restored to the team and becoming a father few days ago.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Benayoun 80), Gerrard (Hyypia 90), Babel (Riise 83), Torres.
Subs Not Used: Itandje, Crouch.

Goals: Mascherano 19, Torres 48.

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Bikey, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Oster (Kebe 72), Harper, Matejovsky (Cisse 74), Hunt, Doyle, Long (Kitson 63).

Subs Not Used: Federici, Sonko.

Booked: Long, Ingimarsson, Matejovsky, Bikey, Cisse.

Goals: Matejovsky 5.

Att: 43,524

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

Goal and Match Highlights

Liverpool v Reading

EPL Post Match Report: Inter Milan 0 VS Liverpool 1

2008-03-12T10:31:00.003+08:00

Torres fires Liverpool through to seal England's clean sweep

Andy Hunter at the San Siro
Wednesday March 12, 2008
The Guardian

San Siro was deserted, blue and yellow ticker-tape strewn over its empty seats, save for 4,200 Liverpool supporters singing along with a Beatles number that blared from the loudspeakers and captured the occasion perfectly. "Get Back" they sang in unison with the city's other acclaimed export. Quite right, too. Rafael Benítez has taken Liverpool back to where they once belonged.

A third Champions League final in four seasons is on the horizon for the Spaniard as a relentless Liverpool, combined with a touch of excellence by Fernando Torres, made relatively light work of the supposed vengeful might of Internazionale. The clean sweep of four English clubs in the quarter-finals - a record for any nation in the competition - arrived with the cleanest of strikes from the formidable Spain international, and Liverpool march on as a team to be feared.

Roberto Mancini's men gave their all only for the wasteful front line of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Julio Cruz together with the 50th-minute dismissal of Nicolás Burdisso to deflate their chances of becoming the first team in 16 years of the Champions League to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit. Mancini later announced he will be quitting the job this summer.

For 43 years Liverpool have cursed a referee for depriving them of glory against Inter and no doubt the Italian champions will return the compliment now that the 1965 European Cup semi-final has been avenged. Inter played 100 minutes of this 180-minute tie with 10 men, Burdisso repeating the mistakes of the man he had replaced from the first leg, the suspended Marco Materazzi, but blaming officialdom is a diversionary tactic without merit.

Liverpool were the more disciplined, clinical and, it needs saying, professional side over the two encounters. With Torres as their spearhead they also carry a far greater threat than any of the Anfield sides that reached the finals in 2005 and 2007, and following his 26th goal of an outstanding debut season at the club, Moscow does not appear out of reach come May.

This was not the show of defiance that protected a slender lead with a goalless draw at Juventus in the quarter-finals three years ago but an effort that fulfilled Steven Gerrard's pre-match promise to "attack and kill the tie". True, Inter had five glorious chances to have transformed the outcome but ultimately Liverpool's progress was a straightforward exercise.

Against 11 men of Inter their hopes were initially in the balance. Whistling was incessant from all sides as the home fans, in common with the carabinieri and stewards outside, provided a hostile reception. Given the task in hand, the Champions League pedigree of the two sides and Inter's form since they succumbed with 10 men at Anfield, Mancini's team required all the advantages they could muster. But these were not enough.

Inter, their domestic supremacy again failing to translate on to a European stage, had won only once in four league games since the first leg. This performance, however, validated the excuse that the Italian champions had been focusing mind and body on the second encounter. Revenge and one final chance to save reputations made for a potent mix until Burdisso's lunge into Lucas Leiva turned his second yellow card of the night to red.

Key to Inter's initial transformation was the leadership of Javier Zanetti and an overdue display of intelligence, fight, but not finishing, from Ibrahimovic. The Sweden centre-forward made no secret of his disgust at being overlooked for the European Footballer of the Year awards last season when he would have been better advised to concentrate on his inconsistency in Europe.

Certainly Liverpool had seen no reason to fear him beforehand, but he ended his torpor last night to inspire a dominant first-half performance. Ibrahimovic should have inspired even more but two glaring misses, one when sent clean through by a Martin Skrtel miskick, drained confidence from the players in black and blue.

His profligacy was matched by Cruz, although credit belongs to José Reina for two of the three opportunities the Argentinian failed to convert. The Liverpool goalkeeper tipped a low drive away from his bottom corner, then reacted superbly when Cruz's backheel at the near post almost caught him wrong-footed.

Ryan Babel escaped a second booking for handball and Liverpool's attacking threat was sporadic until Burdisso gave the Norwegian referee, Tom Henning Ovrebo, no option but to produce a red card. The Milan side cursed their luck at the expense of the indiscipline that had undermined them in both legs, but still they could have unnerved Liverpool but Ibrahimovic shot wide when one-on-one with Reina. There and then the tie was settled, and a comfort zone descended on Liverpool when Fabio Aurelio intercepted on the left and found Torres lurking on the edge of the area. With a swift touch, turn and drive into the bottom corner, Liverpool had dispatched formidable opponents with a minimum of fuss again.

_________________________________________________________
Goals:
Torres ( 63' )

Inter Milan:
(4-4-2)
Soares de Espindola Julio Cesar, Nicolas Andres Burdisso, Cristian Chivu, Douglas Sisenando Maicon, Nelson Lopez Rivas, Javier Zanetti, Esteban Matias Cambiasso, Dejan Stankovic (Luis Jimenez , 84 ), Patrick Vieira (Vitor Gomes Pele , 77 ), Julio Cruz, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (David Suazo , 80 )

Liverpool :
(4-4-1-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano (Jermaine Pennant , 88 ), Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun , 61 ), Dirk Kuyt (John Arne Riise , 81 ), Fernando Torres

Referee:
Tom Henning Ovrebo

Venue:
San Siro

Attendance:
80 000

Man of the match:
Fernando Ttorres (Liverpool)

Corners:
Inter Milan - 2
Liverpool - 4

Goal Attempts:
Inter Milan - 15
Liverpool - 8

On Target:
Inter Milan - 3
Liverpool - 5

Booked:
Inter Milan: Burdiso ( 34 ) , Burdiso ( 50 ) , Rivas ( 59 ) , Stankovic ( 73 ) , Chivu ( 85 )
Liverpool: Babel ( 12 ) , Gerrard ( 47 ) , Aurelio ( 56 ) , Benayoun ( 74 )

Inter Milan v Liverpool
Uploaded by footister20

Liverpool Football Club: Past, Present and Future by Michael Robinson

2008-03-10T12:36:00.002+08:00

Thanks to a spanish fan, we are able to watch this interview between the past greats and present and future greats of Liverpool FC. This interview or program was hosted by Michael Robinson LFC 84-85.

The segment is in 3 parts with a joint interview with Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Sammy Lee with Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa, Pepe Reina and Michael Robinson hosting.

The documentary is in Spanish and comes with English subtitles! Enjoy!

Don't forget, the BIG REDs GAME coming up!

EPL Post Match Report: Liverpool 3 VS Newcastle 0

2008-03-09T13:56:00.005+08:00

Torres & Gerrard Inspires REDS to Fifth Straight Win

Jamie Jackson at Anfield
Sunday March 9, 2008
The Observer

An advance on third place for Liverpool, a further descent towards the Hades of relegation for Newcastle that is allowing Sam Allardyce's truncated reign on Tyneside to appear ever more successful. Whatever magic Kevin Keegan still possesses, he needs to start producing it. Two points from eight outings is a dire return, despite Arsenal, Manchester United and now Liverpool providing three of those opponents.

'I've just told them that I don't think the performance was good enough,' he said. 'But I do think, and the players do too, that we can stay up. Today needs to be put in perspective. Torres cost £20-odd million. It's not like when they paid £33,000 quid to Scunthorpe for me here. They weren't taking a chance - he is good.'

Rafael Benítez also talked glowingly of the Spanish striker and 'the understanding between him and Steven Gerrard. It can kill teams'. Both, until they were withdrawn, were excellent. And contributed goals that ensured Liverpool have 16 points from the last possible 18 - a run that keeps third place still a possibility.

Following consecutive Torres hat-tricks, Anfield had waited to see if Benítez dare do what was surely unthinkable - even for Mr Rotation - and rest the freshly crowned Premier League player of the month.

El Niño did indeed play, beginning this match just six short of Ruud van Nistelrooy's 24-strike mark for a foreign player in his debut season, despite the manager's selection policy. It is an effort that has already vindicated Benítez's decision - which he happily discussed in the build-up - to sign his countryman over former Reds favourite Michael Owen last summer.

That decision was a harsh yet hardly unrealistic sign of the footballing times the England striker is playing through. Now, with injuries having eaten away at the once so-blistering pace - and the ability to count on regular matches - it is doubtful if he will ever play again for an elite club.

Owen's opening contribution was to dump Martin Skrtel, but it was Torres who, predictably, went closest during a tedious opening half-hour. The 23-year-old was released down the right with open field ahead. His shot was whipped from a difficult angle. But Steve Harper still needed to save well - he did for Liverpool to claim their first corner.

That came to nothing. Both managers had lined their teams up in a 4-5-1. For Owen - watched by England coach Fabio Capello - it is a system that offers him few favours because alongside the fading pace, he is hardly the tallest. And when United put together the period's best move, after 16 minutes, the striker was not involved.

It was evidence of Newcastle's quality, though. Charles N'Zogbia surged to half-way, spun and fed Nicky Butt, who found James Milner with a clever ball over the winger's shoulder. Again, it ended in a corner, and amounted to nothing. As did the challenge by Abdoulaye Faye on Lucas inside the defender's area on the half-hour.

Mr Walton said no to the penalty. As he did minutes before the break when Steven Gerrard went down in the same area. Seconds later and Keegan suffered the only kind of luck on offer at the wrong end of the table. His left-back José Enrique turned to clear near his goal, but hit Jermaine Pennant. The ball looped back over him and beyond Harper.

One-nil and a wry shake of the Keegan head. Two minutes later, it was two. Gerrard hit a reverse pass with his left. Torres - who else? - allowed the ball to run across him. Then he pulled the trigger.

Keegan's misery needed just six minutes of the restart to deepen. Lucas, who purred alongside Alonso at the base of midfield all afternoon, carried the ball forward. Gerrard waited smartly to time his run. Then the Liverpool skipper did his chances of continuing the international job little harm with a jinked finish that will have impressed Mr Capello.

Keegan, belatedly, introduced Obafemi Martins after 58 minutes. Now Owen had a partner. And the visitors had their nearest miss - Martins's swivel and crashing shot from 35 yards beat Jose Reina, but not the bar.

At that point there were still 20 minutes to go. But the afternoon now drifted to future thoughts. For Liverpool, it is Tuesday's visit to the San Siro and hopes of advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals.

For Keegan and his weary men and fans, Birmingham and Fulham await. If he is still without a Premier League win after those, it could be the start of the Third Exit for the messiah of the Black and White Toon.

_________________________________________________________

Goals:
Pennant (43') 1-0; Torres (45') 2-0; Gerrard (51') 3-0

Liverpool :
(4-2-3-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun, Steven Gerrard (Dirk Kuyt , 67 ), Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant (Sami Hyypia , 79 ), John Arne Riise, Fernando Torres (Peter Crouch , 72 )

Newcastle :
(4-4-2)
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Jose Sanchez Enrique, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Abdoulaye Diagne-Faye, Damien Duff (Obafemi Martins , 58 ), James Milner (Njitap Geremi , 34 ), Charles N'Zogbia, Michael Owen, Alan Smith

Referee:
Peter Walton

Venue:
Anfield

Attendance:
44,031

Man of the match:
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

Corners:
Liverpool - 12
Newcastle - 8

Goal Attempts:
Liverpool - 15
Newcastle - 6

On Target:
Liverpool - 13
Newcastle - 4

Booked:
Liverpool: Riise ( 25' )

_________________________________________________________

Liverpool v Newcastle United
Uploaded by sparta3000

EPL Post Match Report: Liverpool 4 VS West Ham 0

2008-03-06T08:41:00.005+08:00

Fernando Torres offers reminder of Liverpool’s potency with brilliant hat-trick
- Oliver Kay

source taken from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article3492816.ece

No matter what slurs and accusations may be thrown at Liverpool’s American owners for as long as they retain a grip on this “wonderful franchise”, they will always lay claim to delivering Fernando Torres to Merseyside and for that, at least, his adoring public should be thankful. Whether or not the owners actually dipped into their own pockets to do so remains a matter of dispute, but that investment has more than paid off over the course of a season in which Torres has led the club’s crusade to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Torres missed training on Tuesday with a stomach bug, but there could be no better pick-me-up than a hat-trick, his second in successive appearances at Anfield, as Liverpool reclaimed fourth place in the Barclays Premier League from Everton with a resounding victory. Admittedly it came against an out-of-sorts West Ham United team who lost by the same scoreline to Chelsea four days earlier, with Alan Curbishley facing growing displeasure from their supporters, but Liverpool’s fourth consecutive win in all competitions was achieved in a manner that increased confidence in advance of tougher examinations against Inter Milan, Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal in the next 4½ weeks.

Steven Gerrard was in fine form, running the game from the role he has been enjoying just behind Torres. His presence allowed Liverpool to set a tempo that West Ham struggled to live with for the first half-hour, the visiting defence at times creaking under the pressure. Lucas Neill, the captain, did not look like the defender whom Rafael BenÍtez, the Liverpool manager, spent so long trying to sign from Blackburn Rovers last season as he strived to contain the unpredictable – if occasionally misguided – threat of Ryan Babel on the Liverpool left.

The opening goal, though, came from the right-hand side, with Dirk Kuyt sending in a routine-looking cross that Anton Ferdinand seemed well placed to deal with. There was the slightest hint of a deflection, but, if that was what threw Ferdinand, there was no faulting the reactions of Torres, who sent a right-foot shot across the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner of the goal.

Liverpool could have added to that lead before the interval, particularly from set-pieces. Jamie Carragher was twice surprised to find himself in space at the far post, while Martin Skrtel sent a header just over the crossbar. Between times Gerrard, at full stretch, had a shot well saved by Robert Green.

West Ham did not convince as a defensive unit, but they had the odd moment going forward. Shortly after the opening goal, a pass by Hayden Mullins sent LuÍs Boa Morte clear of the offside trap and around José Manuel Reina, but the forward’s cross-shot, sent in the vague direction of Carlton Cole, was intercepted smartly by Álvaro Arbeloa. That might have been seen as encouragement enough for Curbishley to stick to Plan A, but not the West Ham supporters. “Two up front,” they began to chant just before Torres’s second goal. Then came “You don’t know what you’re doing,” as he brought on Jonathan Spector, and, most damningly perhaps, “It’s just like watching Charlton.”

It was West Ham’s misfortune to be faced with a centre forward in such marvellous form, but they could hardly claim to have made life difficult for him. Torres scored his second goal just after the hour, rising unchallenged to head home another cross from Kuyt after the visiting defence failed to clear a corner by Gerrard. Six minutes later, stooping low to reach Gerrard’s cross, he headed against the inside of the post.

The hat-trick seemed inevitable and so it proved, Torres wriggling past another weak challenge from Neill and stroking home a right-foot shot with which Green might have done better.

He swiftly made his departure, leaving Gerrard to put the icing on the cake with a spectacular fourth goal moments later. The only blot on Liverpool’s evening was an injury to Javier Mascherano, the former West Ham midfield player, who limped off near the finish after being caught by a late tackle from Mark Noble.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): J M Reina – Á Arbeloa, J Carragher, M Skrtel, J A Riise – X Alonso, J Mascherano – D Kuyt (sub: Y Benayoun, 63min), S Gerrard, R Babel (sub: J Pennant, 76) – F Torres (sub: P Crouch, 82). Substitutes not used: C Itandje, S Hyypia.

West Ham United (4-1-4-1): R Green – L Neill, A Ferdinand, M Upson (sub: J Spector, 63), G McCartney – H Mullins – F Ljungberg, N Solano (sub: D Ashton, 69), M Noble, L Boa Morte – C Cole (sub: R Zamora, 69). Substitutes not used: R Wright, J Paintsil. Booked: Cole, Neill, Noble.

Referee: S Bennett.

Goal Highlights:

1-0 Torres

2-0 Torres

3-0 Torres

4-0 Gerrard

Come one Come all this SATURDAY, GAME AGAINST the TOONS of Newcastle @ the M Bar @ 10:55PM!

BIG GAMES COMING UP SO WATCH THIS SPACE!

SELAMAT MENGUNDI TO ALL MALAYSIANS!

MyRAWK Futsal

2008-03-04T10:25:00.004+08:00

For all MyRAWK Futsalites,

A big major thanks for turning up for the futsal friendly and making it a fun filled affair. Chris, our new 'mascot', had a credible outing too. Hope to see more of her and maybe try ur best to rope in some friends for a cheerleading troupe. ;)

The sweet one on the extreme left is our mascot Chris!

It was proposed that next month's friendly is to be held in Klang again and then followed by seafood dinner and the customary flower juice. I hope everyone is ok with it and join in the affair.

Thereafter, we may be exploring other futsal venues like 1-U, Sports Unlimited etc etc. Also, the sessions will be extended by another half hour and we'll be playing 2.5 hours so that we can fit and play all the games on schedule. Apologies to the Milan team as since we ran out of time, they played 1 game less and so did we.

So, next up should be 29th Mar, c u guys then and YNWA....

Tony T
Vice President
Malaysian RED and WHITE KOP (MyRAWK)

EPL Post Match Report: Bolton 1 VS Liverpool 3

2008-03-03T12:47:00.010+08:00

Andy Hunter at the Reebok Stadium
Monday March 3, 2008
The Guardian

It was on the eve of a do-or-die Champions League group tie against Olympiakos in 2004 that Steven Gerrard delivered his most infamous clarion call to Liverpool, accusing the club of broken promises and threatening to leave before guiding the team to qualification and ultimately the miracle in Istanbul. Last week's admission of embarrassment at the league table was tame by comparison and different in where the captain laid blame. But the reaction was the same - an identical scoreline that gives Rafael Benítez hope of a continued run among the European elite.

Liverpool's first league victory at Bolton since 2002, and their manager's first in four trips to the Reebok, brought only temporary enjoyment of the fourth place - Everton's defeat of Portsmouth took them three points clear again - the club financially requires but the response to Gerrard's criticism indicated a few truths had hit home. Here was a routine win delivered with a minimum of fuss from a team with a settled core, the lack of which had prompted the accusation that the squad was underachieving rather than, as he claimed three seasons ago, under-resourced.

"You need to do that sometimes when you are captain," Gerrard said yesterday. "It was not a negative rallying call but a positive one, because this club is used to big performances and big wins." Another at home to West Ham on Wednesday will draw Liverpool level with their Merseyside rivals and a sustained run of this form - this was their finest league display of 2008 - will place formidable pressure on David Moyes' side. "We have a game in hand and so fourth place depends on us," said Benítez. "It is in our own hands."

If only, cursed Gary Megson and Bolton, the same were true of Jussi Jaaskelainen.The precious breakthrough for Liverpool yesterday was blessed with fortune but said more about the weaknesses inherent in Bolton, who had made a dominant start, striking the crossbar through an El Hadji Diouf free-kick and missing a glorious chance when he failed to convert a Joey O'Brien header two yards from goal. Then, precisely as they had done having equalised and taken the upper hand at Blackburn last Sunday, Bolton self-destructed.

A calamitous moment for Jaaskelainen would never have occurred but for a loss of possession by Joey O'Brien, although the slapstick truly arrived once Ryan Babel fed Gerrard and the captain let fly from 20 yards. His angled shot was sailing wide and yet the goalkeeper elected to make the save, a decision that veered from unnecessary to disastrous as the ball spun through the Finn's grasp and on to his head, back over his body and bounced over the line. Gerrard could not hide his embarrassment as he cavorted in celebration.

"Jussi is a great keeper but he has held his hands up and admitted his mistake for that one," said the Bolton manager. "It meant we had to try and force an equaliser rather than play our natural game. In any game the first goal is so important but especially against Liverpool. They have taken the lead 15 times in the league this season, winning 10 and drawing five."

In response Bolton threatened in the air only to find Sami Hyypia commanding and Martin Skrtel equally forceful as the signing from Zenit St Petersburg acclimatises to the Premier League. An outstanding one-handed save from José Reina to deny Kevin Davies on the line, however, served to extract hope from Bolton and Benítez's team, far more composed on the ball, eased towards a valuable three points.

The Liverpool manager's favoured formation of recent weeks, Fernando Torres supported by three playing off him, is made for away days when the home side has to chase the game, and the visitors sliced through the Bolton defence at will. The right-back Gretar Steinsson was forced off with a thigh strain but his departure was also a damage-limitation exercise such was his inability to contain Babel.

The Holland international has made a fluctuating start to his Liverpool career, combining touches of sublime skill with a tendency to vanish. Here was an audition from a player of genuine potential, though, one with all the physical attributes required of a leading forward in his first

90-minute league outing for the club. Babel was foiled twice by Jaaskelainen before he made the game safe on the hour, converting inside the near post after Dirk Kuyt had swept a Jamie Carragher cross on to a post and Gary Cahill failed to clear.

He also squandered an invitation for a second in stoppage time, though by then Fabio Aurelio had volleyed his first Liverpool goal and Bolton's substitute Tamir Cohen had provided minimal consolation with a header from Matt Taylor's corner. "Ryan did OK," remarked Benítez, straight-batting reports he is to be offered an extension to his contract while claiming that "some people have been talking".

_________________________________________________________

Bolton boss Gary Megson:
"We did well initially. The goal took the wind out of our sails a little bit.

"We had to change and got caught trying to go forward.

"If we feel sorry for ourselves then we will sink but if we roll our sleeves up we will get out of this trouble."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:
"It was a good game and great performance of the team. We worked hard, played well and created chances so I am pleased.

"We had some problems at free-kicks but after this we controlled the game.

"We were trying to pass the ball and go forward and we had two or three clear chances. The idea was to have a good game and get the three points."

_________________________________________________________

Goals:
Jaaskelainen OG (12') 0-1; Babel (60) 0-2; Aurelio (75) 0-3; Cohen (79) 1-3.

Bolton:
(4-2-3-1)
Jussi Jaaskelainen, Gary Cahill, Andy O'Brien, A, Joey O'Brien, J, Gretar Steinsson (Grzegorz Rasiak , 42), Ricardo Gardner, Ramos Ivan Campo, Kevin Nolan (Tamir Cohen , 45 ), Matt Taylor, Kevin Davies, El Hadji Diouf

Liverpool :
(4-4-1-1)
Jose Manuel Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Martin Skrtel, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt (Alvaro Arbeloa , 86 ), Fernando Torres (John Arne Riise , 78 )

Referee:
Phil Dowd (Staffordshire)

Venue:
Reebok Stadium

Attendance:
24,004

Man of the match:
Ryan Babel (Liverpool)

Corners:
Bolton - 3
Liverpool - 10

Goal Attempts:
Bolton - 8
Liverpool - 12

On Target:
Bolton - 2
Liverpool - 9

Booked:
Bolton: Rasiak ( 45 ) , Davies ( 89)
Liverpool: Hyypia ( 35 )

Reactions: Gerrard's latest interview! By El Presidente

2008-02-28T15:05:00.000+08:00

OK, here comes a post that no one reads according to many. While we are on the issue of Gerrard, I think many has a valid point or points. For me, many fans are reading too much into the rant by him, however, many do have an opinion on him and most of them are right. My views as follow...

1.) Gerrard & the team, it seemed that he has this command over the team whereby many of the players felt compelled to pass to him when on the pitch, many a times I have noticed that the players could not play their normal game because of that. Kewell in his early days was very keen to run at defenders but many a times I saw him pad to square it 5 yards to Gerrard rather than take on the defenders and try to put the cross in. Lucas is another, on his first start, he did ok, but he would pass to Gerrard time and again even though there's better option. Once the players have more confidence and dare to "defy" this, we would be a better team.

2.) His best position, to me his best position is on the right of either a 4 - 3 - 3 or 4 - 4 - 2 or 4 - 5 - 1, in a nut shell he should play on the right. I asked Phil Neal the same question when he was down, and Neal answered that he felt that Gerrard is isolated and wasn't as involved when playing on the right and at times looked disinterested. I disagree with that, to me that would solve a lot if not all of the problems. With him on the right, the focus would shift to the right, dragging the opposite midfielder and left back towards him, leaving space in the middle for the likes of Alonso, Mascherano, Lucas or whoever playing rooms to exploit. With that the left side would be better with the likes of Babel, Kewell, Benayoun, Pennant vying for the spot, they could easily cut in and take a shot or go wide and put the cross in. This would also, take the focal point of attack from middle to the right. Which suits us fine, it's easier to play when everyone is concentrate on the right rather than middle, making it less congested. Don't forget, with him on the right, Alonso or Lucas in the middle, the threat become more as any of them could take a pop at goal either from the right or in the middle, regardless who's playing upfront. Another thing is that playing on the right doesn't mean he has to stay there all game, he can drift in and support or switch flanks. With a powerhouse like him on the right compare to a nimble footed player, I would go for Gerrard as he could power pass the player, release an overlapping right back, and head towards the near post for headers or loiter just outside of the area for 2nd balls.

3.) His heart, there's no denying that his heart is at Liverpool, but for how long? Don't forget his best friend left because he didn't think Liverpool weren't good enough and resulting us winning number 5. Would he follow suit? Maybe but not in the next couple of years. Even if he does, many reckoned that he would not play with the same heart and desire as with when he was playing at Liverpool.

4.) His actions, many reckoned he is wrong in coming out and say things like that but read it how you want as he is a fan like us who's priviledge enough to play for the team he loves. Also, because of his quality and the number of times he had rescued us, on top of that the media keep drumming the "Gerrard, the saviour" "Gerrard the man" thing, he began to believe in that and became Stevie Me, if somehow he can keep his feet on the ground or someone can drum that into him, he would become an even better player. All we need is a manager to tell him "think you're the man? Show me you're the man on the pitch. You said you love the team? Do as I say and I assure you that you'll be the man and win things with the team". The thing is that he believed too much of the media hype and sulk when he doesn't get the central role which is more glamorous. Perhaps he gets jealous when the plaudits goes to others.

5.) His form, many commented his form dipped lately, but if you watch closely, he has matured as a player, knows when to hold back and when to make the runs. Credit to the coaching team who pointed out the benefit of that to him, letting others take charge once in a while, only if they can coax him to play on the right on permanent basis, then we'll have a world beater on our hands.

6.) Selling him, there are benefits and disadvantage in selling him, one is obviously you just don't sell your best player, but is he is the root of the problem, perhaps that is the best way, and if we get a decent offer of say 25 - 30M (don't think anyone would offer more than that), perhaps we can use it to get a couple or 3 very good players that more than able to take his place. In fact, I reckon the saga back in 2005 had a big effect on the current team. When it was evident that he would go to Chelsea for 25M (or was it 35M? And according to me sources, he was supposed to go to Barca rather than Chelsea), Rafa would've already line up players to buy with that money, not necessarily his replacements, as we had Alonso and Didi then, not to mention Momo later (but that is later), with that, Rafa would be able to concentrate on more pressing issues such as striker and that right sided player that we so needed. With the budget thrown in, we could've built a good team capable of challenging for the title as the "disrupting force" is no longer there and that the players Rafa wanted to bring in would be his type of players who'd play for the team rather than themselves. HIs dramatic U turn threw everything in the air with Rafa had less money to spend on players and the so called disturbance is still there, albeit a very good player, but you get the drift.

7.) What now? The best solution in my humble opinion would be try and coax him into playing on the right, don't forget, he is a "fragile" character too, always needing that arm around him to reassure him that he is still the man although he is on the right, if that can happen, then we would have an exciting next season to look forward too with him bombing down the right and Torres and whoever banging in the goals.

Our Brothers Down South by Reggie Chong

2008-02-26T10:29:00.009+08:00

With the help of the Malaysian RED and WHITE KOP (MyRAWK) guys, I was able to get in touch with the right people for a special night in Singapore. My trip to Singapore was for 6 days on personal matters. However, I managed to smack in between my trip, a view of the LFC vs Barnsley game. As such I was determined to catch the game with the famed EAST OF ANFIELD, independent Liverpool Football Club supporters from Singapore.

As I was inspired by a trip down south by our resident terrorist, theALBERTUS, I had a pretty good l idea on what to expect. In fact, it was Tony and our resident terrorist theAlbertus, who put me in contact with Anand, who was my gracious host for the night.

So off I went using the MRT to City Hall station and met up with Anand at the station. Being the gracious host that he is, he showed me around the area before making our way to CHIMES.

When we got there, we had just missed the singing of YNWA by the lads, but I heard them singing from far away.

Arrival at CHIJMES

The crowd that was gathered there when we arrived.

The lads of EOA are famous throughout Singapore and parts of South East Asia. I had heard from the guys that had been to a game with the lads of EOA that they are really vociferous and a passionate lot. In my personal opinion, that is an understatement. There are no words to describe the lads of EOA when it comes to their passion and singing noise level. Songs were sung as if you were in concert stadium with songs like Fields of Anfield Road and Scouser Tommy. There were also, some creative spur of the moment chants.

It was absolutely amazing………. Of course not forgetting the ultimate classic You’ll Never Walk Alone , which everyone gathered around with arm over shoulders reminds me of schoolboys around a camp fire and belting it out like there was no tomorrow.

During the game the usual outburst of anger and frustration were heard but the one thing I will never forget is the song they sang during halftime. He’s FAT, He’s Shit, and (censored), Wayne Rooney…. Wayne Rooney

However, it would have had the perfect evening if only the Reds won. A last minute winner definitely burst the atmosphere like an arrow thru a balloon but that didn’t stop us belting the songs over and over again until I lost my voice.

A big special thanks to Anand and the lads of EOA for the warm welcome.

Also thanks to Albertus and Tony for getting me in touch with the lads.

Post Match Interview: Liverpool 3 VS 2 Middlesbrough

2008-02-25T15:37:00.001+08:00

EPL Post Match Report: Liverpool 3 VS Middlesbrough 2

2008-02-24T19:39:00.003+08:00

Torres' hat-trick carries Liverpool to fourth By Duncan White at Anfield
Last Updated: 1:43am GMT 24/02/2008, direct source from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/02/24/sfgliv124.xml

Liverpool 3 VS 2 Middlesborough

There is no doubt the individual magnificence of Fernando Torres is indispensable to this Liverpool team. Imperiously converting his first Premier League hat-trick, he has hit 21 goals this season and in so doing carried his team-mates back into fourth place, keeping the Anfield crowd on a high after the midweek heroics against Internazionale. It was harsh on the visitors, but the winds of El Nino simply swept brave Boro away.

Torres, a club record signing this summer at £26.5 million, has exceeded all expectations in his virgin season and has thoroughly vindicated Benitez's decision to buy the 23-year-old Spanish international.

"In terms of adaptation it is not easy for a player coming here from European football," Benitez said. "But we knew that he had power and pace and that pace can sometimes kill defenders in England. We were monitoring two or three other options, but we decided on Torres because he is young and hungry and he has the condition to play well in the Premier League. It is difficult to score 20 goals in any year, but it is especially hard in your first year at a club."

Benitez the rotator has often decided to rest his top scorer, much to the frustration of the Liverpool supporters, and he refused to guarantee that he would not do so again. "If we had one game a week it would be easy for me," Benitez said. "But it is not easy for a player to play three or four games in eight days. We need to see how the players are."

Without Torres, Liverpool would likely have lost this game.

Middlesbrough came into the match unbeaten in eight games and eased into an early lead against a somnolent Liverpool. Stewart Downing curled in an in-swinging free-kick from the right and, in attempting to play the Boro attack offside, Sami Hyypia and Steve Finnan moved up too slowly and Tuncay Sanli had a simple job to head in from close range. The organisational qualities of the suspended Jamie Carragher were badly missed.

"We knew that after a Champions League week it can be a bit flat for teams the following weekend," said Gareth Southgate. "We knew if we started well we could cause them some problems. We were very disciplined in the way we played until a mad two minutes turned the game on its head."

In those 120 seconds Torres turned Liverpool's deficit into a lead. First he scampered onto Julio Arca's undercooked back-header to take the ball around Mark Schwarzer and score. With the adrenaline still pumping, he received the ball from Fabio Aurelio some 25 yards from goal and disdainfully thumped the ball inside the near post for the pick of his three goals.

The lively Tuncay seemed to equalise 10 minutes before the break as he bundled in Downing's excellent cross from the left touchline, but he had clearly used the top of his arm and was rightly booked. Just before the half-time whistle the Turkish forward weaved down the left and teed up Gary O'Neil, who shanked his shot when well positioned.

It was another Boro error that gifted Torres his third. Dirk Kuyt, Liverpool's Sisyphean striker, makes everything look difficult these days, so there seemed little hope when he punted what is euphemistically termed a 'percentage ball' in the vague direction of Torres. David Wheater hesitated under the ball while Schwarzer came sprinting out of his area, with the upshot that neither dealt with the problem and Torres steered the ball into the empty net. Minutes later Torres was only denied a fourth by a fine reaction save from the Australian goalkeeper.

Boro were far from done, though. Arca found Downing cutting in from the left flank and the England winger's outstanding first touch left Finnan stranded, allowing him to poke the ball between the legs of the advancing Jose Reina. Yet just as Boro's late rally was gathering momentum, Jeremie Aliadiere reacted to Javier Mascherano's impish nose-tweak with a slap and was shown a straight red card, despite having already been booked.

Benitez allowed Torres to milk a standing ovation by replacing him with Peter Crouch for the final moments. By then his sole remaining challenge was convincing the officials to part with the match ball so he could carry it off clutched to his chest, like a proud schoolboy.

Man of the matchFernando Torres (Liverpool) • Four shots, three goals• 67 per cent passing accuracy

Best Moment:
Having scored seconds earlier, Fernando Torres picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and in a blink it was in the bottom corner.

Worst moment:
Jeremie Aliadiere was impressive but as Middlesbrough pressed for a late equaliser he lost his composure when provoked by Javier Mascherano’s impish nose-tweak and slapped the Argentine’s face.

Goals: Tuncay (9) 0-1; Torres (28) 1-1; Torres (29) 2-1; Torres (61) 3-1; Downing (83) 3-2.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Aurelio; Mascherano, Lucas; Kuyt (Riise, 73), Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun, 62); Torres (Crouch, 89). Substitutes not used: Martin (gk), Skrtel.

Middlesbrough (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Grounds; O'Neil (Mido, 59), Rochemback, Arca, Downing; Aliadière, Tuncay (Alves, 69). Substitutes not used: Turnbull (gk), Boateng, Hines.

Referee: L Mason (Lancashire).

Booked: Liverpool Reina, Finnan; Middlesbrough Aliadière, Tuncay, Wheater. Rochemback, Young.

Sent off: Aliadière (85).

Man of the match: Torres.

Attendance: 43,612.

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough Full Match Highlights 23/02/2008

Ten reasons Liverpool can win the Champions League... again - a thought from Adam Clark

2008-02-22T15:21:00.003+08:00

MyRAWK Admin: this piece is from Adam Clark at http://www.liverpoolpies.tv/2008/02/ten_reasons_liverpool_can_win.html

1. Few distractions - With our title challenge over, not to mention our Carling and FA Cup campaigns, the only thing Rafa has to keep his eye on other than the Champions League is ensuring we qualify for the competition again.

2. The Anfield crowd - We've heard it before and we'll hear it again. The noise that rolls around Anfield on European nights is immense.

3. Colossal centre backs - When it comes to keeping out Europe's best attackers few have the experience - or the success rate - of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Carragher's performance in Istanbul was a textbook defensive display and a key factor in Liverpool's triumph.

4. Defensively strong midfielders - Recent history suggests that teams with solid defensive midfielders do well in Europe. Look at Milan with Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo, us with Didi Hamann and Xabi Alonso, and Real Madrid when they had Claude Makelele. With Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Alonso to choose from solidity isn't an issue.

5. Steven Gerrard's knack of bagging match-winning goals - The examples are endless. Olympiakos was magic. West Ham was euphoric. Moscow?

6. Pepe Reina - Penalty shootouts? No problem.

7. Fernando Torres' pace - Just ask Marco Materazzi. Defenders outside the Premier League do not like pace.

8. Rafael Benitez - Whatever your feelings towards the Spaniard you cannot deny his tactical acumen when it comes to the European stage. He won the UEFA Cup with Valencia, followed it up with a Champions League medal in Istanbul and then led us to Athens. Three European finals in four seasons. Not bad, is it?

9. Experience - The majority of this squad have made it to and played in a final before. Many have done it twice. Past experience is a valuable tool in European football and we've got it in abundance.

10. Past heartache - Having sampled both the euphoria of Istanbul and the anguish of Athens Liverpool's players understand the cause for which they're fighting. No prizes for guessing which felt better.

See you on SAT FEB 23 @ 10:55PM at the M BAR! LFC vs Middlesbrough

Our Set Pieces, By Julez

2008-02-22T14:31:00.003+08:00

The quality of our corners, free kicks and crosses are very very poor. How many times have we seen our corners, free kicks and crosses fail to pass the first defender? Do we practice these fundamentals in training? Because if the evidence on the pitch is anything to go by, then we need to practice a hell of a lot more. Set plays win matches. Chelsea are superb on free kicks and corners, and Arsenal and Manchester United are not far behind. We rarely get the ball over, and when we do, we rarely attack it with any confidence and conviction. We should be doing a lot better and scoring more from these dead ball situations.

Alex Miller and Angel Vales. Remember these names as they are the main training staff who are degrading our players day by day and providing wrong statistics to the manager. It makes me wonder what they do in training. We should get rid of them first before getting rid of misfits like Kuyt, Kewell, Riise, Aurelio or Pennant. We were already crap even when Paco was here, so don't come telling me its his departure that brought us to this situation. In almost every game, we are getting countless corners and free kicks which end up going no where and wasted.

Despite the Inter win, I still maintain that the tinker man had it all wrong yet again. And had we lost, everyone would have descended on him like a ton of bricks. We played against 10 for most of the game and the 2 goals we scored were almost accidental. Its as if the brief is for every player to take as many shot as possible in the hope that one of those will hit the target. There was hardly any well constructed moves. Even the ball down the middle to Torres, which he missed, was accidental. The rest appeared hap hazardous and clueless. I don't expect us to go past the next stage with this squad.

If I were training this squad , I would have every one of them doing two sessions a day, everyday. I would have:
- Gerrard, Bennyoun, Babel, Finnan and Kewell praticing free kicks and corners time and time again until they got things right.
- Finnan, Pennant, Bennyoun and Babel practicing crosses.
- Hypia, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Torres and Couch practicing getting on the end of these corners, crosses and free kicks.
- Carragher and Riise learning how to play the ball out from defence rather than hoof the ball upfield.
- Crouch learning how to head the ball correctly.
- Babel taught how to take the man on and beat him, plus shown how to keep his shots down.
- Kuyt, well I think I'd be out on the training pitch till midnight every night showing him exactly where the goal is and how to shoot on goal, plus explain that he should be in the 6 yard box rather than over by the corner flag.
- Kewell I would show him how to break sweat and Riise would be shown how to keep the ball from hitting low flying aircrafts.

Seriously, are our training staff coaching these things correctly? Because its sure as hell doesn't look like like it. These training exercises are basic skills, yet so many of our players seem to lack them. It does make you question what they actually do in training.