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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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)

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: