Carling Cup: Can't win trophies, eh, Stevie G?

Gerrard's gonna have a lot to answer for if he leaves Liverpool for Chelsea in the summer.

He certainly can't say he couldn't win trophies with Liverpool when he just bloody GIFTED one to Chelsea no, can he?

Granted, it was an honest mistake, and I blame the 'score early goal and sit back to defend ' tactics more than Gerrard himself, but seriously, he'll need a lot of cheek to leave with that 'more trophies' excuse now, won't he?

Anyway, the game, the game.

Chelsea were bloody lucky. They could find no way past the Liverpool defense until the own-goal; and after that, Liverpool just crumbled. Oh, and Mourinho deserved to be sent off. The arrogance of the man.

Liverpool's defense was magnificent. Carragher and Hyypia never put a foot wrong, Finnan did well to keep Duff out, and even Traore was great on the night. Riise and Traore doube-teaming Duff in the first half was a joy to see, and of course, Riise's goal was just class. Hamann did a good job protecting the defence and Dudek.... well, Dudek was brilliant. Nuff' said.

As for midfield, Lui Garcia was utter crap, losing the ball god knows how many times. HE should have been taken off and replaced with Baros instead of Morientes. Morientes was great while he was on, and even Kewell had a good game, considering he's been out injured for so long. Nunez was quiet all game, except for that last goal.

I say the main problem was the overly-defensive tactics, and Gerrard. Not because of the own goal, but because he controls the game too much. A few times, Liverpool had the chance to break fast, but the ball was pulled back to Gerrard instead.

Granted, he started some good moves, and he droved the team on as well, making lots of good tackles, but the point is, when he plays, we rely on him too much, and he dictates play too much, causing the team-play to breakdown sometimes.

Do we REALLY need Stevie G? Well, I'd say we do, but not as badly as we thought. I think Xabi Alonso should be able to fill in the gap SHOULD Stevie G leave.

And if he does, he better come clean and say it is because of the money, because he certainly can't say he can't win trophies with Liverpool when he just bloody lost one for us.

Carling Cup: All eyes on Cardiff

Wow.... as it turns out, Liverpool were the only English team to win a Champion's League match this week...

Chelsea should be able to sneak into the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge, thanks to that away goal at the Nou Camp, but Arsenal really have it hard against Bayern at Highbury, needing to win 2-0. Manchumpster Utd need to win by two goals at the San Siro, which I think is gonna be pretty hard.

Liverpool? I just hope they don't capitulate at the BayArena in two weeks time...

But that's in two weeks time. For now, all eyes turn to this Sunday's League Cup final at Cardiff where Liverpool meet Chelsea.

It's a good time to play Chelsea. They have lost two games in a row, and have some players injured. But then again, it may be BECAUSE they have lost two games in a row that Liverpool need to look out for a backlash.

It IS a cup final after all, and a trophy, even if it's only the League Cup, and both teams will wanna win it.

Lampard vs Gerrard should be a fairly interesting battle, while I actually think our strikers are slightly better than Chelsea's.

So hopefully our defence can stand firm (which it should as long as Josemi and Pellegrino don't play, and Dudek doesn't make mistakes). If that happens, we have a shot at the trophy.

Me? Am feeling optimistic, but not getting my hopes too high...

Champion's League: A Good Gerrard-less Victory

So, a good victory this morning, spoiled by a last second blunder by Dudek.

From needing a 4-0 margin to win, Bayer Leverkusen now need only a 2-0 win at home to progress at Liverpool's expense.

Dudek's become a real liability in the team. He may have the ability, but Dudek's confidence and concentration is seriously suspect. We need new 'keeper.

Anyway, Is it just me, or does Liverpool actually play better as a team when Gerrard is NOT on the field? Last night, the whole team actually clicked as a unit for the first time since god knows how many games. Biscan was surprisingly good, Hamann was commanding, and Riise was just brilliant (I swear him and Carragher have been our players of the year so far).

When Gerrard plays, the team tends to rely on him too muuch. I remember reading a story in Singapore which showed that Liverpool actually won MORE games when Gerrard was out with that injury early in the season than when he came back.

Makes one wonder whether he really IS as important to the team as we all assume.

But anyway, a good victory, and hope we don't collapse in Leverkusen like we did three seasons ago...

Oh, and I think I'll stay up for the Chelsea-Barcelona game tonight. Now THAT would be a cracker...

Van Nistelrooy Enters Breeding Barn!

I came across this old Racing news story in the archives one day, and thought that it was the most hilarious thing ever.

The fact that the player in question is one that I REALLY dislike makes this story even better.

this story appeared in The Star's Racing pages on 31 July 2003. There's actually more to the story, but since it was mostly about the horse itself, I took it out and left the opening paragraphs only.

Enjoy!

EPL: Two Wins on the Trot

Last night's match, coupled with the win over Charlton wrapped up a damn fine week for Liverpool, and for Fernando Morientes in particular.

Morientes has now scored in two consecutive matches, and is now showing us what he can REALLY do. His goal in mid-week was superb, and his headed one last night was taken brilliantly.

Overall, Liverpool were ok last night. Started off well, scored first, but gave away a sloppy goal. Our second half performance was WAAAAY better, and both goals were taken nicely.

After that, I watched the Villa-Arsenal match and was blown away by Arsenal's attacking in the first half. They were 3-0 up by 30 minutes, and could have been 6-0 up by half time. Although they tuned out in the second half, that first half was the best I'd seen from Arsenal since they lost at Old Trafford.

Somehow, I don't think it would be wise for ManUre and Chelski to write the Gooners off just yet...

In other news, ManU won again. Pah.

EPL: What a night!

What a night at the EPL it was last night. Though I didn't watch any of the matches, the minute I opened Soccernet this morning and saw this headline: UNITED FLOOR GUNNERS, I knew it was all over for Arsenal.

Losing 2-4 to Man Utd at home is no joke, and once again, Arsenal prove that they can win a title, but can never retain it. Not that I'd want Man Utd to win either, mind you. I'm the kind that hates MU with a passion. I'm not an Arsenal fan, but I still prefer them to Man Utd anytime.

Anyway, it looks like it's gonna be Chelsea's title this season.

On happier news, Liverpool actually CAME FROM BEHIND to win 2-1 at Charlton, one of the teams chasing fourth spot as well.

Winning away has been a rarity this season (we've only won 4 out of 13), and to come from behind AGAIN (we came back from 2 goals down to beat Fulham 4-2 earlier, remember?) is something unheard of during the Houllier-era. Rafa is doing some good motivation work, me thinks.

And Morientes got his debut goal for the club! Here's to more goals from Fernando!

Viva Rafa-lution!

Steven Gerrard.

Fernando Morientes.

Milan Baros.

Xabi Alonso.

Djibril Cisse.

Add Sami Hyypia, Harry Kewell, John Arne Riise, Dietmar Hamann, Mauricio Pellegrino, Steve Finnan and Jamie Carragher into the mix, and you'd have a Championship-winning team.

In Championship Manager, that is.

In real life, it SHOULD be good enough to challenge for honours. Sure, it may not be as strong in depth as Chelsea, who have at least two internationals for each position, but it's a good squad. Except Traore, of course.

For now, things may look bleak, but give them a break. It's Benitez's first season, and many of the new players are still finding their footing in the EPL. Add in the injuries and all, and it's been a real bad debut season for the Rafa-lution.

Benitez may be buying a lot of Spanish players, but he knows them well, and he knows what they can do. It's also their first season, but look at Xabi Alonso. Before his injury, he really looked like he could be the player to take over Gerrard's position IF Stevie G leaves.

Maybe Gerrard will leave next season. Maybe not.

But I trust in Rafa Benitez's ability. I followed him when he was in Valencia. Next season, Liverpool will be one to watch.

As for THIS season.... well, let's at least TRY to get fourth AND win the League Cup, eh?